LegacySelect technology control offers legacy-full, legacy-reduced, or legacy-free solutions based on common platforms, hard-drive images, and help desk procedures. Control is provided to the administrator through system setup, Dell OpenManage™ IT Assistant, or Dell™ custom factory integration.
LegacySelect allows administrators to electronically activate or deactivate connectors and media devices that include serial and USB connectors, a parallel connector, a floppy drive, PCI slots, and a PS/2 mouse. Connectors and media devices that are deactivated make resources available. You must restart the computer to effect the changes.
Manageability
Alert Standard Format
ASF is a DMTF management standard that specifies "pre-operating system" or "operating system-absent" alerting techniques. The standard is designed to generate an alert on potential security and fault conditions when the operating system is in a sleep state or the computer is powered down. ASF is designed to supersede previous operating system-absent alerting technologies.
Your computer supports the ASF alerts and remote capabilities described in the following table.
The Ethernet connectivity is enabled or the Ethernet connectivity is disabled.
For more information about Dell's ASF implementation, see the ASF User's Guide and the ASF Administrator's Guide, which are available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Dell OpenManage IT Assistant
IT Assistant configures, manages, and monitors computers and other devices on a corporate network. IT Assistant manages assets, configurations, events (alerts), and security for computers equipped with industry-standard management software. It supports instrumentation that conforms to SNMP, DMI, and CIM industry standards.
Dell OpenManage Client instrumentation, which is based on DMI and CIM, is available for your computer. For information on IT Assistant, see the Dell OpenManage IT Assistant User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation is software that enables remote management programs such as IT Assistant to do the following:
Access information about your computer, such as how many it has and what operating system it is running.
Monitor the status of your computer, such as listening for thermal alerts from temperature probes or hard-drive failure alerts from storage devices.
Change the state of your computer, such as updating its BIOS or shutting it down remotely.
A managed system is one that has Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation set up on a network that uses IT Assistant. For information about Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation, see the Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Security
Chassis Intrusion Detection
NOTE: When the admin password is enabled, you must know the admin password before you can reset the Chassis Intrusion setting.
This feature detects that the chassis was opened and alerts the user. To change the Chassis Intrusion setting:
Press the down-arrow key to move to the System Security option Chassis Intrusion field.
Press <Enter> to access the menu.
Use the left- and right-arrow key to select an option setting.
Exit system setup.
Option Settings
Enabled — If the computer cover is opened, the setting changes to Detected, and the following alert message displays during the boot routine at the next computer start-up:
Alert! Cover was previously removed.
To reset the Detected setting, enter system setup. In the Chassis Intrusion option, press the left- or right-arrow key to select Reset, and then choose Enabled, Enabled-Silent, or Disabled.
Enabled-Silent (default) — If the computer cover is opened, the setting changes to Detected. No alert message appears during the boot sequence at the next computer start-up.
Disabled — No intrusion monitoring occurs and no messages appear.
Padlock Ring and Security Cable Slot
Use one of the following methods to secure your computer:
Use a padlock alone or a padlock and looped security cable with the padlock ring. (For the location of the padlock on the Dell Precision 670 computer, see "Inside Your Computer " and for the Dell Precision 470 computer, see "Inside Your Computer.") A padlock alone prevents the computer from being opened.
A security cable looped around a stationary object is used in conjunction with a padlock to prevent unauthorized movement of the computer.
Attach a commercially available antitheft device to the security cable slot on the back of the computer.
NOTE: Before you purchase an antitheft device, make sure that it works with the security cable slot on your computer.
Antitheft devices usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and key. The documentation that comes with the device contains instructions for installing it.
Password Protection
NOTICE: Although passwords provide security for the data on your computer, they are not foolproof. If your data requires more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.
System Password
NOTICE: If you leave your computer running and unattended without having a system password assigned, or if you leave your computer unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on your hard drive.
Option Settings
You cannot change or enter a new system password if the following option is displayed:
Disabled — The system password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign a system password when one of the two following options is displayed:
Set — A system password is assigned.
Not Set — No system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default).
Assigning a System Password
To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Tab> or the <Shift><Tab> key combination to move to another field, or press <Esc> at any time before you complete step 5.
You can use up to 32 characters. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key. The password is not case sensitive.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the cursor does not move.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
Press <Enter>.
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to Confirm Password, followed by another empty 32-character field in square brackets.
To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
The password setting changes to Set.
Exit system setup.
Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer.
Typing Your System Password
When you start or restart your computer, the following prompt appears on the screen.
Type the system password and press <Enter>.
Enter password:
If you have assigned an admin password, the computer accepts your admin password as an alternate system password.
If you type a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
If you again type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message appears on the screen. The third and subsequent times you type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the computer displays the following message:
** Incorrect password. ** Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3 System halted! Must power down.
Even after your computer is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time you type an incorrect or incomplete system password.
NOTE: You can use Password Changes in conjunction with System Password and Admin Password to further protect your computer from unauthorized changes.
Set — Does not allow assignment of admin passwords; users must enter an admin password to make changes to system setup.
Not Set — Allows assignment of admin passwords; password feature is enabled but no password is assigned.
Disabled — The admin password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
Assigning an Admin Password
The admin password can be the same as the system password.
NOTE: If the two passwords are different, the admin password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the system password cannot be used in place of the admin password.
The computer prompts you to type and verify the password. If a character is not permitted, the computer emits a beep.
Type and then verify the password.
After you verify the password, the Admin Password setting changes to Set. The next time you enter system setup, the computer prompts you for the admin password.
Exit system setup.
A change to Admin Password becomes effective immediately (you do not need to restart the computer).
Operating Your Computer With an Admin Password Enabled
When you enter system setup, you can view, but not notify, system setup options. To modify options, go into Unlock Setup in the Security group and enter the admin password.
NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with Admin Password to protect the system password from unauthorized changes.
To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
To set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password
To read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
Before you use system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.
Entering System Setup
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
System Setup Screens
The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: the options list, active options field, and key functions.
Options List — This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features.
Scroll up and down the list by using the up- and down-arrow keys. As an option is highlighted, the Option Field displays more information about that option and the option's current and available settings.
Option Field — This field contains information about each option. In this field you can view your current settings and make changes to your settings.
Use the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight an option. Press <Enter> to make that selection active.
Key Functions — This field appears below the Option Field and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field.
System Setup Options
NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not appear.
NOTE: The system setup program defaults are listed under their respective options where applicable.
System
System Info
Lists the computer name, version number of the BIOS, date of the BIOS, Asset Tag, and Service Tag.
Processor Info
Identifies whether the computer's processor supports Hyper-Threading, and identifies the processor speed, bus speed, clock speed, EM64T, L2 cache, multiple-core capabilities, number of processors, and processor type.
Memory Info
Indicates amount of installed memory, computer memory speed, and channel mode (dual or single).
Date/Time
Displays current date and time settings. You can modify these settings.
Boot Sequence
The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in the list on the screen.
Drives
SCSI Controller
Available on the Dell Precision 670 computer.This field enables and disables the integrated SCSI controller.
Diskette Drive
Enables and disables the floppy drives and sets read permission for the internal floppy drive. Off disables all floppy drives. Internal enables the internal floppy drive. USB disables the internal floppy drive and enables a USB drive if the USB controller is enabled and a USB drive is connected. Read Only enables the internal drive controller and allows the internal floppy drive read-only permission.
Drive 0
Identifies the primary hard drive attached to the SATA0 connector on the system board.
Drive 1
Identifies the secondary hard drive attached to the SATA1 connector on the system board.
Drive 2
Identifies the primary hard drive attached to the IDE1 connector on the system board.
Drive 3
Identifies the secondary hard drive attached to the IDE1 connector on the system board.
Drive 4
Identifies the primary hard drive attached to the IDE2 connector on the system board.
Drive 5
Identifies the secondary hard drive attached to the IDE2 connector on the system board.
SATA Operation
Configures the operating mode of the integrated hard drive controller.
SMART Reporting
Control whether hard driver errors for internal SATA and IDE drives are reported during system start-up.
Onboard Devices
Integrated NIC
(On default)
You can set the NIC to On (default), Off, On w/ PXE, or On w/ RPL. When the On w/ PXE or On w/ RPL setting is active (available only for the future boot process), the computer attempts to boot from a network server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the computer attempts to boot from the next device in the boot sequence list.
Integrated Audio
(On default)
Enables or disables the onboard audio controller.
USB Controller
(On default)
Enables or disables the integrated USB controller. Off disables the controller. On enables the controller. No Boot enables the controller, but the BIOS will not recognize USB storage devices.
1394 Controller
(On default)
Enables or disables onboard IEEE 1394a controller (for the Dell Precision 670 computer only).
LPT Port Mode
(PS/2 default)
Determines the mode of operating of the internal parallel port. Off disables the port. AT configures the port for IBM AT compatibility. PS/2 configures the port for IBM PS/2 compatibility. EPP configures the port for the EPP bidirectional protocol. ECP configures the port for the ECP bidirectional protocol.
NOTE: If you set the LPT Port Mode to ECP, the LPT Port DMA appears in the option menu.
LPT Port Address
(378H default)
Determines the address that the built-in parallel port uses.
Serial Port #1
(Auto default)
Auto, the default setting, automatically configures a connector to a particular designation (COM1 or COM3).
Serial Port #2
(Auto default)
Auto, the default setting, automatically configures a connector to a particular designation (COM2 or COM4).
PS/2 Mouse Port
(On default)
Enables or disables the integrated legacy PS/2-compatible mouse controller.
Video
Primary Video
(PEG default)
Determines which video controller will become the primary video controller when 2 controllers are available in the system. The default is PEG, the PCI Express Graphics video controller.
Performance
CPU Count
(On default)
Enables the second CPU. This option is only valid in dual processor systems.
Multiple CPU Core
(On default)
Specifies whether the processor will have one or two cores enabled. This option is only valid in a system with one or two dual core processors.
Hyper-Threading
(Off default)
Determines whether each physical processor appears as one or two logical processors. The performance of some programs improves with additional logical processors. On enables Hyper-Threading. Off disables Hyper-Threading.
SpeedStep
(Off default)
Specifies whether enhanced SpeedStep technology will be enabled for all supported processor(s) in the system.
HDD Acoustic Mode
(Quiet default)
Bypass — Your computer does not test or change the current acoustics mode setting.
Performance — The hard drive operates at its maximum speed.
Quiet (default) — The hard drive operates at its most quiet setting.
Suggested — The hard drive operates at the level suggested by the drive manufacturer.
NOTE: Switching to performance mode may cause the drive to be noisier.
NOTE: Changing the acoustics setting does not alter your hard drive image.
Security
Admin Password
(Not Set default)
This option provides restricted access to the computer's system setup program in the same way that access to the computer can be restricted with the System Password option.
System Password
(Not Set default)
Displays the current status of the computer's password security feature and allows a new system password to be assigned and verified.
Password Changes
(Unlocked default)
This option locks the system password field with the admin password. When the field is locked, a valid admin password is required to modify or delete the system password.
Chassis Intrusion
(On Silent default)
When enabled, this option alerts you, during the next computer start-up, that the computer cover has been opened.
Execute Disable
(On default)
Specifies whether execute disable memory protection technology will be on or off.
Power Management
AC Recovery
(Off default)
Determines what happens when AC power is restored to the computer.
Auto Power On
(Off default)
Sets time and days of week to automatically turn on the computer. Choices are every day or every Monday through Friday.
Time is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes). Change the start-up time by pressing the left- or right-arrow key to increase or decrease the numbers, or type numbers in both the date and time fields.
The default setting is Disabled.
This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Auto Power Time
(Off default)
Allows you to specify a particular time when the system will turn on automatically.
Low Power Mode
(Off default)
When Low Power Mode is selected, remote wakeup events no longer power up from Hibernate or Off from the onboard network controller.
Remote Wake-Up
(Off default)
This option allows the computer to power up when a NIC or Remote Wakeup-capable modem receives a wake up signal.
Off is the default setting. On w/ Boot to NIC allows the computer to attempt to boot from a network prior to using the boot sequence.
NOTE: Normally, the computer can be powered up remotely from suspend mode, hibernate mode, or when it is powered off. When Low Power Mode (in the Power Management menu) is enabled, the computer can only be powered up remotely from Suspend.
Suspend Mode
(S3 default)
The options are S1, a suspend state where the computer is running in a low-power mode, and S3, a standby state where the power is reduced or turned off for most components; however, system memory remains active.
Maintenance
SERR DMI Message
(On default)
Controls the SERR DMI message mechanism. Some graphics cards require the SERR DMI message mechanism to be disabled.
Asset Tag
(Set default)
Used for customer info.
Owner Tag
(Not Set default
Used for owner info.
Load Defaults
This setting restores the computer's factory-installed default settings.
Event Log
Displays the system event log.
POST Behavior
Fastboot
(On default)
When set to On (default), your computer starts more quickly because it skips certain configurations and tests.
Numlock Key
(On default)
This option involves the rightmost bank of keys on your keyboard. When set to On (default), this option activates the numeric and mathematical features shown at the top of each key. When set to Off, this option activates the cursor-control functions labeled on the bottom of each key.
POST Hotkeys
Determines whether the sign-on screen displays a message stating the keystroke sequence that is required to enter system setup or the Quickboot feature. Setup and Boot Menu display both messages (F2=Setup and F12=Boot Menu). Setup displays the setup message only (F2=Setup). Boot Menu displays the Quickbook message only (F12=Boot Menu). None displays no message.
Keyboard Errors
(Report default)
When set to Report (enabled) and an error is detected during POST, the BIOS displays the error message and prompts you to press <F1> to continue or press <F2> to enter system setup. When set to Do Not Report (disabled), if an error is detected during POST, the BIOS displays the error message and continues booting the computer.
Boot Sequence
This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.
Option Settings
Onboard or USB Floppy Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the floppy disk in the drive is not bootable, or if no floppy disk is in the drive, the computer generates an error message.
Onboard IDE Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.
Onboard or USB CD Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating system, the computer generates an error message.
Onboard Network Controller — Network boot.
USB Device — Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB flash option to the boot menu.
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
You can use this feature, for example, to tell the computer to boot from the CD drive so that you can run the Dell Diagnostics on the Drivers and Utilities CD, but the computer needs to boot from the hard drive when the diagnostic tests are complete. You can also use this feature to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy drive, memory key, or CD-RW drive.
NOTE: If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set the floppy drive to OFF in system setup.
When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen,
press <F12>.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices.
Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the item from which you want the computer to
boot for the current boot only and press <Enter>.
For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Device and press <Enter>.
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.
Locate the password jumper (PSWD) on the system board (for the Dell Precision 470
computer, see "System Board Components" and for the Dell Precision 670 computer, see
"System Board Components"), and remove the jumper plug to clear the password.
Locate the password jumper on the system board (for the Dell Precision 470 computer, see
"System Board Components" and for the Dell Precision 670 computer, see "System Board
Components") and attach the jumper plug to reenable the password feature.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
NOTE: This procedure enables the password feature. When youenter system setup, both system and admin password options appear as Not Set—meaning that the password feature is enabled but no password is assigned.
Assign a new system and/or admin password.
Clearing CMOS Settings
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
Locate the password and CMOS jumpers (RTC_RST) on the system board (for the Dell
Precision 470 computer, see "System Board Components" and for the Dell Precision 670
computer, see "System Board Components").
Remove the jumper plug from its pins.
Place the password jumper plug on the RTC_RST pins and wait approximately 5 seconds.
Remove the jumper plug from the RTC_RST pins and place it back on the password pins.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Hyper-Threading
Hyper-Threading is an Intel® technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical processor to function as two logical processors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) operating system because Windows XP is optimized to take advantage of Hyper-Threading technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-Threading, some programs have not been optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an update from the software manufacturer. Contact the software manufacturer for updates and information about using Hyper-Threading with your software.
To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:
Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
Click Hardware and click Device Manager.
In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type. If
Hyper-Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice.
You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup. For more information, see "System Setup Options."
IEEE 1394a
IEEE 1394a is a digital interface that can move large amounts of data between computers and peripheral devices. IEEE 1394a is ideal for use with multimedia devices because it speeds the transfer of data and large files, which enables a computer to connect directly to devices such as digital video cameras.
NOTE: The connector can accept six-pin IEEE 1394a devices with the use of an adapter.
The U320 SCSI controller is PCI-X based and operates in a low voltage differential (LVD) mode while running at U320 (320 MBps) speeds. The bus is backward compatible and can run at U160 (160 MBps), Ultra2 (80 MBps), and Ultra (40 MBps) speeds.
If single-ended (SE) devices are connected to the same bus as the LVD devices (such as U320, U160, or Ultra2), the SCSI bus operates in SE mode and runs at a maximum of Ultra (40 MBps) speed.
NOTE: Due to resource constraints, you can not install more than one SCSI controller, regardless of make or model.
Power Management
Your computer can be set to use less power when you are not working. You control the power usage through the operating system installed on your computer and certain option settings in system setup. These periods of reduced power are called "sleep states:"
Standby — In this sleep state, power is reduced or turned off for most components, including the cooling fans. However, system memory remains active.
NOTE: All components installed in the computer must support this feature and have the appropriate drivers loaded to enter standby mode. For more information, see the manufacturer's documentation for each component.
Hibernate — This sleep state reduces power consumption to a minimum by writing all data in system memory to a hard drive and then removing system power. Waking up from this state restarts the computer, and the memory contents are restored. Operation then resumes where the computer left off when it entered the hibernation state.
NOTE: All components installed in the computer must support this feature and have the appropriate drivers loaded to enter hibernation. For more information, see the manufacturer's documentation for each component.
Shutdown — This sleep state removes all power from the computer except a small auxiliary amount. As long as the computer remains connected to an electrical outlet, it can be automatically or remotely started. For example, the Auto Power On option in system setup allows the computer to automatically start at a specified time. Also, your network administrator can remotely start your computer using a power management event such as Remote Wake Up.
The following table lists the sleep states and the methods you can use to wake the computer from each state.
Sleep State
Wake-Up Methods
Standby
Press the power button
Auto power on
Move or click the mouse
Type on the keyboard
USB device activity
Power management event
Hibernate
Press the power button
Auto power on
Power management event
Shutdown
Press the power button
Auto power on
Power management event
NOTE: For more information on power management, see your operating system documentation.
Copying CDs and DVDs
NOTE: Ensure that you observe all copyright laws when creating CDs or DVDs.
This section applies only to computers that have a CD-RW, DVD+/-RW, or CD-RW/DVD (combo) drive.
NOTE: The types of CD or DVD drives offered by Dell may vary by country.
The following instructions explain how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD. You can also use Sonic DigitalMedia for other purposes, such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on your computer or backing up important data. For help, open Sonic DigitalMedia and then click the question mark icon in the upper-right corner of the window.
How to Copy a CD or DVD
NOTE: CD-RW/DVD combo drives cannot write to DVD media. If you have a CD-RW/DVD combo drive and you experience recording problems, check for available software patches on the Sonic support website at www.sonic.com.
The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell™ computers can write to and read DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW and DVD+R DL (dual layer) media, but cannot write to and may not read DVD-RAM or DVD-R DL media.
NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Sonic DigitalMedia.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs®Sonic® DigitalMedia Projects, and then
clickCopy.
Under the Copy tab, click Disc Copy.
To copy the CD or DVD:
If you have one CD or DVD drive, ensure that the settings are correct and click the Disc Copy button. The computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies the data to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive.
When prompted, insert a blank CD or DVD into the drive and click OK.
If you have two CD or DVD drives, select the drive into which you have inserted your source CD or DVD and click the DiscCopy button. The computer copies the data from the source CD or DVD to the blank CD or DVD.
Once you have finished copying the source CD or DVD, the CD or DVD that you have created automatically ejects.
Using Blank CDs and DVDs
CD-RW drives can write to CD recording media only (including high-speed CD-RW) while DVD-writable drives can write to both CD and DVD recording media.
Use blank CD-Rs to record music or permanently store data files. After creating a CD-R, you cannot write to that CD-R again (see the Sonic documentation for more information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.
Blank DVD+/-Rs can be used to permanently store large amounts of information. After you create a DVD+/-R disc, you may not be able to write to that disc again if the disc is "finalized" or "closed" during the final stage of the disc creation process. Use blank DVD+/-RWs if you plan to erase, rewrite, or update information on that disc later.
CD-Writable Drives
Media Type
Read
Write
Rewritable
CD-R
Yes
Yes
No
CD-RW
Yes
Yes
Yes
DVD-Writable Drives
Media Type
Read
Write
Rewritable
CD-R
Yes
Yes
No
CD-RW
Yes
Yes
Yes
DVD+R
Yes
Yes
No
DVD-R
Yes
Yes
No
DVD+RW
Yes
Yes
Yes
DVD-RW
Yes
Yes
Yes
DVD+R DL
Yes
Yes
No
DVD-R DL
Maybe
No
No
DVD-RAM
Maybe
No
No
Helpful Tips
Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic DigitalMedia and open a DigitalMedia project.
Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs do not play in most home or car stereos.
You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic DigitalMedia.
Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software installed.
Commercially available DVD players used in home theater systems may not support all available DVD formats. For a list of formats supported by your DVD player, see the documentation provided with your DVD player or contact the manufacturer.
Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a 650-MB file to a blank 650-MB CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1–2 MB of the blank space to finalize the recording.
Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project permanently to a blank CD-R.
See the Sonic website at www.sonic.com for additional information.
