Burning data- says file too large even though its a blank DVD

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Level 1

9 points

Burning data- says file too large even though its a blank DVD

I am trying to back up a home movie collection and use a CD or DVD as the backup. Both the DVD-R and CD-R mount on the desktop, and I can drag the files to the mounted image, but when I try to burn, it says it can't- the file is too large. I am trying to backup 475MB of data as movies and a blank CD or DVD should be large enough to handle this. When I "get info" on the desktop, it says the Cd or DVD only has 8KB on the desktop, but the info under the "burning" section says it has 737 MB available. Any ideas?

Posted on Jun 28, 2015 8:58 AM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,376 points

Jun 28, 2015 9:41 AM in response to JayAntin

Select the movies in Finder and right click then select Burn and follow the on-screen prompts. You will need a NEW DVD to burn them onto because most DVD's are NOT re-writeable.

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Answer 2

JayAntin Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 28, 2015 9:48 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I tried that too. No luck. I can burn a file IF its less than 6 KB (tried with some individual pictures), but anything over that 6 KB level says its too big to fit on the disc. I put in a new disc every time.

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Answer 3

Jun 28, 2015 9:56 AM in response to JayAntin

This is a relatively common priblem. You will need to reposition your disc.

INsert your disc into your computer, and wait until you get the disk mounted on the desktop.Then go to Disc Utilty and selct the file (the indented one). Select erase tab on top. Then click the pull down bar that is on MAC DOS (FAT). Change it to ExFat and then press erase. Try burning it again an it should work. If not, leave a comment below and I will try something else.

Hope this helped you out!

-J

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Answer 4

JayAntin Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 28, 2015 9:58 AM in response to Shadowisper

I'm working with non- rewritable discs, both CDs and DVDs. it doesn't give me the option to erase a non rewritable disc.

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Answer 5

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Jun 28, 2015 10:39 AM in response to JayAntin

JayAntin wrote:

it doesn't give me the option to erase a non rewritable disc.

That's because it isn't possible.

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Answer 6

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jun 28, 2015 11:28 AM in response to JayAntin

That advice is completely incorrect. You cannot format CDs or DVDs and you can only erase them if they are re-writable.

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Answer 7

Jun 28, 2015 3:15 PM in response to babowa

Then you probably will need to use a different disc. Or just use a flash frive...

-J

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Answer 8

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jun 28, 2015 3:35 PM in response to Shadowisper

I don't need a different disc and the OP has already tried several, so that is not the problem.

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Answer 9

Dec 15, 2016 3:44 PM in response to JayAntin

I had the same problem. 356 mb of pictures in a folder on the desktop would not burn to disc because it was too large to fit on a 700 mb cd-r. Solved the problem by moving the folder to the pictures folder and then burning it successfully. I guess the problem was that iCloud drive was on and my desktop was an iCloud drive. Hope this helps somebody.

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Answer 10

Benb2012

Level 1

54 points

Dec 15, 2016 4:30 PM in response to Klaus1

I Disagree! I've had great success with #5 sandpaper 🙂

It will erase that puppy with no problem and you will have an instant Coaster/Christmas ornament 🙂

Happy holidays 👿

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