Difference

[GearJamminSOB]

Just to put things into proper perspective I have never used this program or otherwise burned an ISO to a DVD/created a bootable disk from it, I couldn't be more of a beginner.  I picked up a used PC (from a certified MS rebuilder, I do not suspect any hardware issues), I did not want the HDD or the O/S on it, I am trying to get an updated version of Win 7 Ultimate on to a freshly NTFS-formatted ssd and get it running in this machine (I have the original media from MS but it is pretty old and i would be doing Windows updates all day).  I have drivers for HP's main board on a jump drive, I am ready to go except for getting Win 7 onto the DVD in bootable form, actually I think I may have that now, but let me ask a question that my go a long ways for me.  On the main screen of this program, in the mode that has the graphics (like the one showing a folder on the L and a R pointing arrow pointing to a disc on the R), what is the difference between "Create image file from files/folders" and "Write image file to disc"?  The first time I tried the former, at the end of the process it opened my CD/DVD burner door (I do not have that option checked), with a message to manually close it, so I did and then the program seemed to start the process over from the start - this didn't seem right so I stopped that (I think maybe it was some sort of finalization process and I probably should have let it go).  I tried again, this time I chose the other option, "Write image file to disc".  It did the same thing at the end of the process but this time I let it go and it seems I now have a bootable DVD with Windows 7 on it, I put that in the DVD burner and rebooted the PC and it loaded Windows install program.  Why would I have wanted to choose "Create image file from files/folder", though, as others have advised me to do?

[LIGHTNING UK!]

The two are completely different.

 

'Create image file from files/folders' does exactly what it says it'll do. It takes a random bunch of files/folder on your drive (that you've added to the 'Source' box or disc layout) and builds an image file (.ISO file or whatever)... which is stored on your drive, not written to a disc.

 

'Write image file to disc' also does exactly what it says it'll do. It takes an image file (.ISO file or whatever) and writes/burns it to an optical disc using your writer/burner/optical drive.

 

When the program ejects the drive tray and attempts to reload it, it's doing so between the writing and verifying stages. It has no effect on a disc working or not, just if it's verified it, you should know about any issues with the disc there and then.

 

The correct mode to use depends on what you have/want to burn - if indeed you want to 'burn' at all.

 

If you'd downloaded an ISO from somewhere, you'd use the 'Write image file to disc' option.