Apple’s Disk Utility is a very powerful tool. You can mount disk images, format and partition drives, among other things.

With a utility like this, it is very easy to backup your data.  All you need to do is to convert a folder to a disk image file, then burn that disk image to a CD or DVD disc.

To create a disk image from a folder follow these steps:

1. •  Click on the File menu
   

2. •  Select New Disk Image From Folder
   

3. •  Click on the desired folder
   

4. •  Click on the Image button
   

5. •  Select Image Format you want to use
   

6. •  In this case, we want to use DVD/CD master
   

7. •  Click on the Save button
   

Disk Utility will now create the image and place it on the desktop for use.

Once the image is complete, it will show in the left pane of Disk Utility.  Follow these steps to make the CD:

1. •  Select the new image
   

2. •  Click on the burn button on the toolbar
   

3. •  The computer will say it is waiting for a disc
   

4. •  Place a blank CD (or DVD) in the drive
   

5. •  If you have under 700 MB of data then put in a CD-R
   

6. •  If you have over 700 MB click, insert a DVD-R
   

7. •  Click on the Burn button
   

The burner will now create the CD or DVD from the image file.  It will verify the disk upon completion - DO NOT press the Skip button.  Verification makes sure that you have an accurate copy of your data.  This step is very important if you are backing up files to remove them from your hard drive to free up space.

Once the disk has been burned and verification is done, the Mac will eject the disc for you.  Make sure you label it with something that will let you know, at a glance, what the data is.  Labels such as: “Installer Files Archive 01-01-09,” are good for keeping track of what the stuff on the disc really is.

Watch the video below for the step-by-step procedure.