Iowa State University

Iowa State University  
Institute for Social and Behavioral Research

How to copy files from your My Document's folder to a Zip Disk or CD

Follow these instructions for backing up the files you wish to save to Zip Disk or CD.  Make sure the computer you are using has a CD Writer or Zip Drive before proceeding.

NOTE: If you are unsure whether or not the computer has a CD Writer check for the symbol below on the CD-ROM drive.

Step 1:            First go to your Start menu (see example below)

Step 2:            Next click on My Documents (see example below)

Step 3:            Select the files or folders you wish to copy by clicking each object while holding the ctrl key.  The items highlighted in blue are the files or folders that you will be copying (see example below)

Step 4:            Next right click one of the highlighted items and select Send To from the pop-up menu. (See example below)

Step 5:            Depending on what you are saving to CD or Zip Disk you will need to choose from the list the drive that corresponds to your media type.

Reminder:  A zip disk holds from 100-250 megabytes and a CD has a capacity of 650-700 megabytes so choose your medium accordingly. If you chose to Send To your Zip Disk the files will be automatically copied to the disk and you are finished. If you chose to Send To the CD drive you must follow a few more steps:

Step 5a:          You should see a message like this after you click the CD-ROM drive.  Click the balloon pop-up. (See example below)

Step 5b:          Then click write these files to CD to start the CD Writing Wizard. (See example below)

Step 5c:           Insert a name you would like to call the CD in the CD name box and check the box next to “Close the wizard after files have been written”.  Click Next to write the files to your CD. (See example below)