What do you need?
- A computer (desktop or laptop)
- A CD drive (internal or external)
- A CD or DVD
Step 1: Check your CD drive
Make sure your computer has a CD drive. Most desktop computers have an internal CD drive, while many laptops require an external CD drive. If you have a CD/DVD drive, you’re good to go!
Step 2: Insert the CD
Locate the CD drive on your computer and gently insert the CD or DVD into the drive. The shiny side with the label should be facing up. Push it in until you feel some resistance, then stop.
Step 3: Open the CD drive
To open the CD drive, you have a couple of options depending on your computer:
- Desktop computer: Look for a button near the drive or a small pinhole. Press the button or insert a paperclip into the pinhole and gently push until the CD drive opens.
- Laptop: On most laptops, you can find a physical button labeled with a CD/DVD icon. Simply press this button, and the CD drive will open.
Step 4: Explore the CD
Once the CD drive is open, you should be able to see the contents of the CD or DVD. If you don’t see anything, don’t panic – some discs might not show their content immediately. In that case, you’ll need to access the CD through your computer’s file explorer.
Step 5: Access the CD through the file explorer
To access the CD’s contents through the file explorer:
- Open ‘File Explorer’ or ‘My Computer’ on your computer (Windows Key + E on Windows or Finder on Mac).
- On the left-side panel, you should see a list of drives. Locate the one that corresponds to your CD drive (typically labeled with a letter like D: or E:).
- Click on the CD drive to view its contents. You should now see all the files and folders stored on the CD.
- Click on any file or folder to open and access its content.
Step 6: Eject the CD
When you’re finished using the CD, it’s important to properly eject it to avoid damaging the disc or the drive. To eject the CD:
- Desktop computer: Press the eject button or right-click on the CD drive icon in the file explorer and select ‘Eject’.
- Laptop: Press the eject button or find an icon that looks like an upward-pointing arrow above a horizontal line near the CD/DVD drive, and click on it to eject the CD.
That’s it! You’ve successfully learned how to start a CD on a computer as a beginner. Remember, practice makes perfect, and soon this process will become second nature to you. Have fun exploring your CDs and DVDs on your computer!