How do you know what type od cd's you can burn to?

Ok well i need to restore my computer to factory settings but for some reason it can't read the 2nd restore disc, so i copied the files of it onto my dad's laptop, but once i select the folders and try to burn it it says cannot burn to this cd please insert a compatible cd? i tried a cd-r ,cd-rw, and dvd-r. i would appreciate any help so i can restore my computer and get back on it.