This isn't so much a problem as a hypothetical question based on phenomena experienced once or twice.

To phrase my question as specifically as possible: will linux (specifically fedora, deb or mandriva) install if the isos have been burned to 4x CDRWs?

Has anyone had experiences either way with this?

I know I've had some pretty definitive problems with winXP installs from a 4xRW, but they work fine on a 10-12x disc.
I've also run into hitches with the 4x with FC2, Mandriva and Debian woody.
The installs basically load fine but when package-transfer/installation starts, the install just stalls out.

As far as my understanding of these things goes, doesn't the speed a disk is read at depend on the drive/software/os reading it and not on the speed it was burned at?

I would guess, if this does happen to others the mechanism would be that these installers need some minimum data transfer rate to successfully install, and the disks just can't provide that.

Not really a criticial question (I'll just buy some more CD-RW's / finally get around to upgrading my CDRW drive to DVD-R/RW/DL)

BTW: anyone know a good linux-friendly Dual-Layer (preferably also lightscribe) DVD burner?

The installation media is not _that_ important. For smaller net install Cd's, I use an CD-RW. But if you need to burn 4 Cd's, and you have enough CD-RW's, go ahead.

As for the burning, use K3B. It's just great.

Well, whatever cause the previous experience must not have been media. I installed everything fine yesterday with a mix of 12x, 10x and 4x cdrw's (maxells the same type that were used when the wierd-install problems happened a while back). I mostly use them because I've not shelled out for a dvd-burner yet and would rather erase and re-burn with new distro releases as they come out than keep chucking outdated coasters to the curb.

K3b's definitely the best way, I've been using it in linux ever since I discovered it (which was after about 2 days of frustration with using Xcdroaster) it (and the lack of a open-source windows equivalent) demonstrate how good of a product OS developers will make if the only solutions to a software need are piracy or expensive purchasing. I've tried every "free" windows burner, and kinda happen to think cd burner xp pro (i think that's the name) is probably the best. I'm not sure of exactly what license it was released under, but it does seem to be some kind of freeware, which is amusing considering it was partly developed with .net.