to write my files from folders onto a cd do i have to have cd burnable software installed? when i try just by dragging the folders to my D:/ drivei get an error saying there is a problem writing these files to cd with the options of retry, skip, or cancel, i think i have the right cds (cd-r or cd-rw) but i dont know if there is additional software needed on this laptop to do this 1 person needs an answerI do too

Is your CD drive a recorder or just a reader?If you have the correct hardware, see How to copy information to a CD in Windows XP and Burning CDs in Windows XP (see part 7 if you do NOT have 3rd party CD recording software)

Why back-up a hd if a new pc is getting started,the old back-up data will not work with another pc.....If you want to "back-up" or save youre user data,etc. Then install xp cd,in the 1st menu,"run file transfer wizard",select data to be saved, save in new folder you created,once its thru,move folder to cd..Also,set the wizard to "Old computer".