Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier: Unable to Burn CD or DVD (Alert Message -36)

If insufficient hard disk space is available, an alert box with message "-36" may appear when you try to burn a CD or DVD.

This article applies to Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier.

Symptom


Solution

When burning a CD or DVD, Mac OS X 10.3.9 and earlier reserves an amount of hard disk space that corresponds to the amount of data being burned to disc. To resolve the issue, make more disk space available on your Mac OS X volume. For example, you might back up large files that you do not use often, then delete them from your hard disk. For related information, see technical document 106721, "Mac OS X: Use Disk Utility If CD Burn Is Interrupted".
Published Date: Feb 17, 2012