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Academic Computer Labs FAQs

  • Can I listen to music in the lab?
    • Yes. All PCs have internal CD-ROM drives capable of playing audio compact discs. One is permitted to bring music CDs and personal headphones to listen to music provided that it does not disturb or interfere with others or the equipment. Note that no speakers are attached to general use systems in the lab due to the risk of loud interference to others.
  • How do I use CDR and CDRW in Academic Computer Labs?
    • CDRW (DATA)
      • Format:
        • Right click on the "CD Drive" icon in "My Computer". Choose "Erase this CDRW".
        • Now the CDRW is ready to have files written to it.
        • Note: Formatting the CDRW will remove ALL existing files. They are not recoverable.
        • If you do not have formatted CDRW, you will have to format the CDRW. Do NOT format or erase CDR Disks.
      • Write:
        • You can treat the CDRW Drive as any other removable media (like a Thumb drive). You can copy or create files, but you will be unable to edit or delete existing files (you can format the entire CDRW). The only additional step is to tell the OS to write the files.

          Note: If you plan to save to a folder on the CDRW the folder MUST already exist on the CDRW.
        • Once you have copied the files to the CDRW, Windows will queue the files to be written.
        • When you are ready to write, right click on the "CD Drive" icon in "My Computer". Choose "Write these files to CD".
        • The CD Writing Wizard dialog will appear and guide you through the process.
        • Once complete, Windows will eject the CD
        • If you decide that you do not want to write the files to the CDRW, you can remove the queued list. Right Click on the "CD Drive" icon in "My Computer". Choose "Delete Temporary Files".

          Note: As you copy files to the CDRW for writing, pay attention to the amount of disk space left. The space left on the disk will not reflect the additional space needed by the queued files. Windows WILL let you queue up more files than there is space left on the CDRW. However, when you attempt to write files to CD the Wizard will give you an error.
    • CDR (DATA)

      Note: CDR is write ONCE. If you write a file to it, you will not be able to delete it. You can NOT format a CDR.
      • Write:
        • You can treat the CDR Drive as any other removable media (like a Floppy Disk). You can copy or create files, but you will be unable to edit or delete existing files. The only additional step is to tell the OS to write the files.

          Note: If you plan to save to a folder on the CDR the folder MUST already exist on the CDR.
        • Follow the same 5 steps above to write your files to the CDR
          If you require additional information use Windows built in help function (Start Menu --> Help and Support) and search on CD Writing.

          NOTE: COPYING OF ILLEGAL MUSIC AND/OR DATA IS NOT CONDONED BY ACAMDEMIC COMPUTER OR Community College of Rhode Island.
    • CDR/CDRW (AUDIO)
      • Right Click on the mp3 or wav file(s) you wish to convert to Audio CD format. Choose "Copy to Audio CD"
      • Windows Media Player will display the play list of songs you have selected. You can modify the play list from here.
      • Once you are ready to create the Audio CD, insert a BLANK CDR/CDRW into the CDRW drive, then click on "Copy Music" in the top right corner.
      • Media player will convert the files as necessary then attempt to write them to the CDR/CDRW
      • Once compete, Windows will eject the CD.

        NOTE: COPYING OF ILLEGAL MUSIC AND/OR DATA IS NOT CONDONED BY ACAMDEMIC COMPUTER OR Community College of Rhode Island.
  • Should I backup my files?
  • Where are the computer labs on campus?
  • What are the hours of the CCRI computer labs?

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