Autoplay CDs in Windows and Macs

[TelemachusMH]

Does anyone know how to do this? I know that both are able to autoplay cds, and they both use the "autorun.inf" file to do it. The problem is you can't specify an autorun program because that program wouldn't work on one of the two OSes. Is it possible to make a program that will run on both? Or can I make a cd that with a pc/mac hybrid cd that still lets both systems have access to the video?

Thanks for the help,
TelemachusMH

[jggimi]

Telemachus, you are in luck! I've just done the research, and can tell you what you need to know. I'm not a Mac user at all, but just created a dual-use disc today and went through the entire process. It's not hard, just confusing. Autorun.inf is not supported on Mac; they have their own method using the Finder and Quicktime, called "AutoStart."

You must create what is called a "Hybrid CD-ROM." This is a CD-ROM containing both ISO/Joliett and Mac HFS structures.

The easiest way I've found is using MacImage for Windows (http://www.macdisk.com/macimgen.php3). They have a functional trial version which will let you build 50 or 100 MB CDs for testing purposes. With it, you can create files that are shared between HFS and ISO file systems, such as html or jpg, files that are ISO only, such as autorun.inf and .exe files, and files that are HFS only (which I didn't do).

MacImage will allow you to mark a file for Autostart.

You end up with a .iso image file that can be burned with your favorite software, such as Nero.

Instructions for building this .iso file are in the included help under "How to...".Nero can also make a hybrid CD, but it is severely limited: You must have a SCSI hard drive with an already built HFS partition on it plugged into your PC.

No sharing of files between ISO and HFS on the CD is permitted.Yuck!