CD Formatting

  • Thread starter Thread starter ET
  • Start date Start date
E

ET

I have several CD's that I have loaded with data. I
would like to reuse them. Is it necessary to format them
or can I just write over the old data without reformating?
 
Can't give you a definitive answer without knowing what type of media you've
used and how the files were written.

If the CD is a CD-R you can't re-use it. If it's a CD-RW and it's been
written to with a mastering program, erase it using your mastering software.
They all have a quick or long erase function.

If it's a CD-RW and you've used packet writing,just delete the files or
re-format it for packet writing.
 
ET said:
I have several CD's that I have loaded with data. I
would like to reuse them. Is it necessary to format them
or can I just write over the old data without reformating?
Click to expand...

You can format CD-RW media with the native utility in Windows XP. You can
not rerecord over CD-R media.
 
You can only format a CD-RW in Windows XP as a CD-R. If you wish to use a
CD-RW as a rewritable disk, you must install third party software that
allows packet writing, such as Nero or Roxio EZCD. If you format a CD-RW
disc using Windows XP writing software, it will ONLY function as a CD-R.

Bobby
 
S.Heenan said:
You can format CD-RW media with the native utility in Windows XP. You
can not rerecord over CD-R media.
Click to expand...

CDRW media does not need to be formatted for use with XP or does XP format
CDRW disks. You are thinking of packet writing software and it is not
included with XP.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Michael Stevens said:
CDRW media does not need to be formatted for use with XP or does XP format
CDRW disks. You are thinking of packet writing software and it is not
included with XP.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
Click to expand...
I don't understand your reply.
Are you saying:
"CDRW media does not need to be formatted for use with XP. XP does not
format
CDRW disks. "?
 
Patricko said:
using the send to CD, and copying it to a CD, I have never had to format a
CD. I have when using third party software, have it ask if it is for data or
music but other than that this format thing, I have not seen yet what
program are you using?
Click to expand...
A CDRW only needs to be formatted if you're going to be using packet writing
to burn it. This turns the cd into a giant floppy disk. Direct cd and Incd
are two popular programs that do this. The xp cd burning does not do packet
writing, thus does not format for packet writing. Other than this the cd's
do not need to be formatted.
 
ET said:
I have several CD's that I have loaded with data. I
would like to reuse them.
Click to expand...


If they are CD-RW disks, then there is an erase disk option in the
standard inbuilt burning, or in any of the third party packages. That
would be all you need do unless you use the packet writing ones like
InCD where you should use their reformat. CD-R disks cannot be reused
 
Ron said:
I don't understand your reply.
Are you saying:
"CDRW media does not need to be formatted for use with XP. XP does not
format
CDRW disks. "?
Click to expand...


The method of burning used by XP is a CD-R style one, burning in
'sessions',which formats as it goes. Pre-formattinng is used in 'packet
writing' methods, giving true drag and drop on CD-RW - XP does not
provide this approach. See http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpcd.htm
 
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