How do I finalize a disk (CD-R and DVD+/-R) using Windows ?

I haven't tried the additional download, I just used the basic to finalize the CD. All I can add is that I didn't see any ads.

Good luck.

Hi:

By now, my guess is that you have had ample time to play with Ashampoo.

1. Once you get past the 10-day trial period, you are supposed to be able to download a full version of Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 FREE  for free, ...`once you provide them with your email address.
2. Are they using your email address for things other than registering their software ?

Why do they need it in the first place, if the program is "free" ?

3)  What is your opinion of the software ?

4)  Any problems with the software ?  If so, what ?

5)  Are you flooded with ads, or an other annoying items ?

6)  Anything else that you can tell me ?

Thanks

DaleB

Hi:

Thanks for the information.

I always try to be a bit cautious when using these (3rd hand) products that may screw-up your saved data, whether it be on a disk or internal to your computer.  Google to see reviews by others, and

whether or not they experienced problems.

Before diving-in and using it heavily, I would create a few "Test Disks" and try repeating the processes over-and-over to see if there are any quirks.  You won't find them all by doing a limited amount of testing, but it may give you a heads-up if any problems exist.  So, keep a log.

I would try using all of the following:

CD  +/-  R/RW ,    DVD  +/-  R/RW,   and   DVD  +/-  R/RW  DL

Yes...you will "waste" (have to toss-out) a few disks - those that are not  RW;

but, I would rather throw out a few disks up-front, than lose critical information

later, due to a quirk in the software.  I have had this hapen to me with software

from Microsoft, Roxio, etc.  Typically, the program would write a "bad" disk:

it would "hang" during the write process leaving the disk unreadable/unusable.,

and/or unfinalized.

This didn't matter if I was using the  "+"  or  "-"  version of the disks. 

If your computer is made to handle all formats listed above (and doesn't have a problem)

then, it is most likely the burn software that you are using causing a problem.

You may want to check for updates to the version of the software that you are using.

The update my fix "bugs" that may be in the 3rd party software.

DaleB

I can find no way to finalize a disk with windows 7. Ignoring those answers that confuse "close session" with "finalize", and those that quote the Microsoft article that only tells you that closing does not finalize, I finally managed it.

Download Ashampoo.

Take care during installation. It tries to install things you probably don't want.

I was using a disk that had previously been used. When I formatted with Ashampoo, it failed.

I formatted ( turn off quick format ) with Windows explorer

Eject

Re-insert.

Use Ashampoo to create disk. Remember to tick option finalize disk ( not a default )

This finally worked, enabling me to read a CD full of MP3 files on my car's CD player.

Only took me three days to manage this. Thanks for making it so simple Microsoft.