How To Install Brasero on AlmaLinux 9

In the world of Linux, having reliable disc burning software is essential for many users. Brasero, a popular and feature-rich application, stands out as an excellent choice for AlmaLinux 9 users. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of installing Brasero on AlmaLinux 9, a robust and enterprise-grade Linux distribution. Whether you’re looking to create data discs, burn audio CDs, or handle ISO images, Brasero offers a user-friendly interface and powerful functionality to meet your needs. Let’s dive into the installation process and explore how to make the most of this versatile disc burning tool.

What is Brasero?

Brasero is an open-source disc burning application designed for GNOME-based Linux distributions. It provides a straightforward and intuitive interface for creating and burning various types of optical discs. Brasero supports a wide range of disc formats, including:

• Data CDs and DVDs
• Audio CDs
• Video DVDs
• ISO images
• Multisession discs

One of Brasero’s strengths is its ability to handle complex tasks while maintaining a user-friendly approach. Compared to other disc burning software like K3b or Xfburn, Brasero offers a balance between functionality and simplicity, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced Linux users.

Prerequisites

Before we begin the installation process, ensure that you have the following:

• A working installation of AlmaLinux 9
• Root access or sudo privileges on your system
• A stable internet connection for downloading packages
• At least 100 MB of free disk space for Brasero and its dependencies

It’s also recommended to update your system before proceeding with the installation to ensure all packages are up to date.

Enabling EPEL Repository

The Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository is a valuable resource for AlmaLinux users, providing additional software packages not included in the default repositories. Brasero is one such package available through EPEL. To install Brasero, we first need to enable the EPEL repository on AlmaLinux 9.

Follow these steps to enable EPEL:

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Run the following command to install the EPEL release package:

   sudo dnf install epel-release

3. When prompted, enter your password and confirm the installation by typing ‘y’ and pressing Enter.
4. Once the installation is complete, update the package cache:

   sudo dnf makecache

To verify that EPEL has been successfully enabled, you can run:

dnf repolist | grep epel

This command should display the EPEL repository in the list of enabled repositories.

Installing Brasero

With the EPEL repository enabled, we can now proceed to install Brasero using the dnf package manager. Follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal window if you haven’t already.
2. Run the following command to install Brasero:

   sudo dnf install brasero

3. The package manager will calculate dependencies and prompt you to confirm the installation. Type ‘y’ and press Enter to proceed.
4. Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection speed.

During the installation process, dnf will automatically handle any required dependencies. These may include libraries and other packages necessary for Brasero to function correctly on AlmaLinux 9.

To verify that Brasero has been successfully installed, you can run:

rpm -q brasero

This command should display the version of Brasero installed on your system.

Launching Brasero

Now that Brasero is installed, you have two options for launching the application:

1. Command Line

To start Brasero from the terminal, simply type:

brasero

Press Enter, and the application should launch.

2. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

If you prefer using the GUI:

1. Click on the “Activities” overview in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. In the search bar, type “Brasero”.
3. Click on the Brasero icon to launch the application.

When you launch Brasero for the first time, it may perform some initial setup tasks. This process is usually quick and doesn’t require user intervention.

Using Brasero

Brasero offers a range of features for disc burning tasks. Let’s explore some of the most common operations:

Creating a Data Project

1. Launch Brasero and select “Data project” from the main menu.
2. Drag and drop files or folders into the project window, or use the “+” button to add items.
3. Optionally, rename the disc by clicking on “Untitled data disc” at the top.
4. Click the “Burn” button when you’re ready to create the disc.
5. In the burning options dialog, choose your desired settings and click “Burn”.

Creating an Audio Project

1. Select “Audio project” from Brasero’s main menu.
2. Add audio files to the project. Brasero supports various formats, including MP3, OGG, and FLAC.
3. Arrange the track order by dragging and dropping.
4. Click “Burn” and select your burning options.
5. Insert a blank CD and click “Burn” to create your audio CD.

Burning an ISO Image

1. Choose “Burn image” from the main menu.
2. Click “Click here to select a disc image” and browse to your ISO file.
3. Insert a blank disc and select it from the “Select a disc to write to” dropdown.
4. Click “Burn” and wait for the process to complete.

Creating a Copy of a Disc

1. Select “Disc copy” from the main menu.
2. Insert the disc you want to copy and select it as the source.
3. Choose your destination (another disc or an ISO image file).
4. Click “Copy” to begin the process.

Erasing a Rewritable Disc

1. Insert the rewritable disc you want to erase.
2. Select “Tools” from the menu bar, then choose “Blank”.
3. Select your disc and choose the blanking method (quick or full).
4. Click “Blank” to erase the disc.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While Brasero is generally reliable, you may encounter some issues. Here are solutions to common problems:

Brasero Not Launching

If Brasero fails to start, try the following:

1. Run Brasero from the terminal to see any error messages:

   brasero

2. Check if all dependencies are installed:

   sudo dnf install brasero --setopt=strict=0

3. Reinstall Brasero:

   sudo dnf reinstall brasero

Disc Burning Errors

If you encounter burning errors:

1. Ensure you’re using high-quality, compatible discs.
2. Clean your optical drive with a cleaning disc.
3. Try burning at a slower speed.
4. Check system logs for detailed error messages:

   journalctl -xe | grep brasero

Audio File Format Issues

If Brasero doesn’t recognize certain audio files:

1. Install additional GStreamer plugins:

   sudo dnf install gstreamer1-plugins-{bad-\*,good-\*,base} gstreamer1-plugin-openh264 gstreamer1-libav --exclude=gstreamer1-plugins-bad-free-devel

2. Restart Brasero after installing the plugins.

Slow Burning Speed

To improve burning speed:

1. Close other applications to free up system resources.
2. Disable file integrity checking if not required.
3. Use a faster burning device if available.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Brasero. Thanks for using this tutorial to install the latest version of Brasero on the AlmaLinux 9 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Brasero website.