First post here and as you will see I am reallllly a newbie! Just purchased the Linux for Dummies from amazon.com and am trying to wrap my (Windows XP) head around this. I am trying to copy the DVD that came with the book. It has the Fedora Core 5 on it along with the Knoppix distro and some others. The Compaq 5900Z that I want to install the Fedora Core on cannot read DVD's, and I was wondering how to get the files over to a usable CD for that machine. I am now on a Gateway GT5012, Pent D, 1024 Ram, 250 gig HD- that I will be using to try and get this task underway. Any helpful advice or guideance would be sooooo appreciated. Thanks ahead of time and Happy Holidays.

Let me see. DVD to CD. Nope, won't fit. DVD holds approx 7 times the data of CD. Machine can't read DVD? Look at the front of your optical drive, the one with the slide in slide out coffee cup holder. Does it have a little logo on it that says DVD or does it have a logo that says Compact Disk? If not go buy a DVD drive. DVD is the newer of the two. A DVD unit can read CD's, but a CD unit will never read a DVD. There is not a single thing in the world that is "forwards" compatible.

Hope this helps to clear your confusion.

shorty -(the cynical) in Australia.

best of luck, Linux IS fun.

Christmas greetings and best wishes for the new year.

Thanks for the quick reply Shorty943. All I want to do is copy the Fedora Core 5 portion of the DVD to multiple CD's if that is possible (multi-session). Don't know if it is or not just wondering. thanks again

What is your location Jerry. Do you have PC magazine that distribute cover disk sets? Or do you have a reasonable net connection? you may be able to download an ISO set then use Nero, or a small dedicated (shudder) Windows app called ISOBurn to make a bootable install disk set.


You seem a little confused by multi-session. This means to burn a number of times to the one disk, as in, burn some files but not "finalise" the disk, so as to be able to add incrimental files, that is add more later.


shorty.

Ok I got it now --thought it might mean multiple discs off of the DVD. Thanks for thi info--guess I will just go buy a DVD unit as an add on for the old comp and solve all these headaches (ouch)!! (told you I was realllly a newbie) Thanks again for the help

There may be a README or INSTALL file of some sort that contains instructions on how to split it up into several CDs, assuming you have another computer with a DVD drive. I once did it with a Magazine DVD that had more than the cover distro on it.

Purchasing an external DVD burner may not be a bad idea. You would be able to share it with other computers. Although it would be more expensive, it should last longer however, in my experience.

jschiwal, guru from North Dakota, good one.
Hadn't thought of that. Some times the old steam ship engineer's brain don't multi-task so good.

jerry, glad to be able to help.

regards shorty.