Troubleshooting Common PassMark CD-Maker Errors

How to Use PassMark CD-Maker: A Step-by-Step GuidePassMark CD-Maker is a lightweight utility from PassMark Software designed to create bootable and data CDs/DVDs and manage disc images. This guide walks you through installing the software, preparing media, creating different types of discs, verifying burns, and troubleshooting common issues so you can get reliable results every time.

What you’ll need

• A Windows PC (Windows 7 or later recommended).
• A blank CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD-RW compatible with your optical drive.
• A writable optical drive (internal or USB external).
• PassMark CD-Maker installer (downloaded from PassMark or your software repository).
• Files, ISO image, or boot files you want to burn.

Installation and first run

1. Download the PassMark CD-Maker installer from PassMark’s website or a trusted source.
2. Run the installer and follow onscreen prompts. Accept license terms and choose install location.
3. Launch PassMark CD-Maker. If prompted by Windows User Account Control, allow the app to run.
4. Familiarize yourself with the interface: main controls typically include Source (files/ISO), Destination (disc/drive), Burn options, and Verify options.

Creating a data disc

A data disc stores files and folders for archiving or transferring.

1. Insert a blank disc into your optical drive.
2. In CD-Maker, select “Data Disc” or the option that allows adding files/folders.
3. Add files and folders: use the Add button or drag-and-drop into the file list. Watch the capacity indicator to avoid exceeding disc size (CD ≈ 700 MB, DVD ≈ 4.7 GB).
4. Choose a file system if available (ISO9660/Joliet/UDF) — Joliet or UDF are generally better for long filenames.
5. Optional: set volume label (disc name).
6. Click Burn (or Write). Choose write speed — lower speeds reduce risk of errors, higher speeds are faster.
7. After burning completes, use the Verify option to compare the disc contents with the source files for integrity.

Burning an ISO image

An ISO image is a sector-by-sector copy of a disc.

1. Insert a blank disc.
2. In CD-Maker, choose “Burn Image” or “Write ISO.”
3. Browse to the ISO file and select it.
4. Set write speed (moderate speed recommended).
5. Start the burn process. Wait for completion and verify if desired.

Creating a bootable disc

PassMark CD-Maker supports writing bootable images (e.g., rescue tools, OS installers).

1. Have a bootable ISO or a set of boot files prepared.
2. Insert a blank disc.
3. Select “Burn Image” and choose your bootable ISO — CD-Maker will preserve the bootable flag when writing a properly prepared ISO.
4. If creating a custom boot disc from files, ensure you include proper boot sector files and select any available option to mark the disc as bootable (this is typically handled via an image).
5. Burn and verify. Test the disc by booting from it on a spare machine or via a virtual machine with optical drive support.

Advanced options and tips

• Choose a conservative burn speed (e.g., 4x or 8x) for older media or drives to reduce write errors.
• Use the Verify option after burning to ensure the disc matches the source.
• For multisession discs, ensure the option is enabled when you intend to add more data later. Note: not all formats or drives support multisession reliably.
• If copying copy-protected discs, be aware of legal and technical limitations; CD-Maker may not bypass copy protection.
• Use high-quality media (reputable brands) for archival storage.
• Keep drive firmware updated to improve compatibility and reliability.

Troubleshooting common problems

• Burn fails midway: try slower write speed, a different brand of disc, or a different drive.
• Disc not recognized after burn: check finalization settings (disc must be closed/finalized to be readable on other devices).
• Verification mismatch: re-burn at lower speed or test with another drive to rule out drive-specific read errors.
• Bootable disc won’t boot: verify ISO is correctly bootable and that BIOS/UEFI boot order allows optical boot. For UEFI systems, some older boot images might not be UEFI-compatible.

Verifying and testing your disc

• Use the program’s Verify feature to compare burned sectors to the source.
• Test bootable discs in a virtual machine (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware) or a spare physical machine to confirm boot behavior.
• Check data discs by mounting them in Windows File Explorer or reading files with another machine.

Alternatives and when to use them

PassMark CD-Maker is simple and fast for basic burning tasks. For more advanced authoring (menus, video DVDs, advanced multisession), consider tools like ImgBurn, CDBurnerXP, or commercial packages with GUI authoring features.

Quick checklist before burning

• Confirm files/ISO are correct and virus-scanned.
• Choose appropriate disc type and check capacity.
• Select safe write speed.
• Enable verification/finalization if needed.
• Keep the drive undisturbed until writing and verification complete.

PassMark CD-Maker provides a straightforward way to create data, ISO, and bootable discs. Using conservative speeds, verifying burns, and testing bootable media will help you achieve consistent, reliable results.