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Tech Tips / Windows XP / Storage

Identify third-party burning software compatibility issues

Although Windows XP includes a burning engine, you can still use third-party burning applications. Before you use third-party applications, however, you should ensure that they are compatible with Windows XP.

Many applications will not work at all, and some might crash your system, requiring complex troubleshooting. Before you install a third-party burning application, check the vendors' Web site for any compatibility issues. Windows XP is known to be incompatible with:

• Roxio DirectCD Creator versions 5.00, 5.01, 5.02, and 5.02a
• Roxio Easy CD Creator 3.x and 4.x, CD Creator 5 Platinum IS compatible
• Hewlett-Packard CD Writer 8200

One reason for choosing a third-party application over XP's integrated burning engine is the lack of support for burning so-called ISO files. ISO files or images are files that contain an image of the entire CD. To burn ISO files, you don't need to purchase a third-party application; you can obtain it for free. Alex Feinman has written a small application that uses the engine from Windows XP to burn ISO images. You'll find this free application on his Web site.