Erase RW CD - problems

[SB Mull]

I have a RW CD with two files on it that I do not need. I want to erase the
entire cd but none of the info I find in 'help' matches what I see on my
screen when I follow directions. In 'My Computer', I don't get any option to
erase the CD or format it; I even tried to erase the files individually, but
get the message that they are read only (how can that be on a RW cd?). Based
on old info I see on this site, this is a long-term problem with XP. Have
any of the updates fixed it?

 

[Big Al]

I have a RW CD with two files on it that I do not need. I want to erase the
entire cd but none of the info I find in 'help' matches what I see on my
screen when I follow directions. In 'My Computer', I don't get any option to
erase the CD or format it; I even tried to erase the files individually, but
get the message that they are read only (how can that be on a RW cd?). Based
on old info I see on this site, this is a long-term problem with XP. Have
any of the updates fixed it?

I use Nero to burn. And Nero has an 'erase' function on the toolbar.

Other 3rd party programs might have similar tools.

 

[Big Al]

I have a RW CD with two files on it that I do not need. I want to erase the
entire cd but none of the info I find in 'help' matches what I see on my
screen when I follow directions. In 'My Computer', I don't get any option to
erase the CD or format it; I even tried to erase the files individually, but
get the message that they are read only (how can that be on a RW cd?). Based
on old info I see on this site, this is a long-term problem with XP. Have
any of the updates fixed it?

http://cdburnerxp.se/download is a freeware cd burning software and has
an erase function if you run out of ideas.

 

[SB Mull]

thanks for responding - I will try the 3rd party solution. However, my
larger concern for Microsoft is why Windows does not display the options that
the help service says it will. We should be able to rely on the help
function to give accurate information.

 

[Big Al]

thanks for responding - I will try the 3rd party solution. However, my
larger concern for Microsoft is why Windows does not display the options that
the help service says it will. We should be able to rely on the help
function to give accurate information.

Wrong! Sorry I've given up on the F1 help. (If that's what you're
implying).

 

[Onsokumaru]

I have a RW CD with two files on it that I do not need. I want to erase
the
entire cd but none of the info I find in 'help' matches what I see on my
screen when I follow directions. In 'My Computer', I don't get any option
to
erase the CD or format it; I even tried to erase the files individually,
but
get the message that they are read only (how can that be on a RW cd?).
Based
on old info I see on this site, this is a long-term problem with XP. Have
any of the updates fixed it?

Depending on the software used to write the disk, the CD-RW may be marked as
CD-R, which is why XP won't let you erase it.

This is sometimes done for compatability reasons.

It could be the CD-RW is damamged in some way.

I have never had much luck with CD-RW, of the few I have owned most have
failed within a short time, (no problem with DVD-RW though), not cheap
brands either. In this day and age USB sticks are the way to go.

Are you using any cd emulation software like alcohol 120%?

 

[George]

I have a RW CD with two files on it that I do not need. I want to erase
the
entire cd but none of the info I find in 'help' matches what I see on my
screen when I follow directions. In 'My Computer', I don't get any option
to
erase the CD or format it; I even tried to erase the files individually,
but
get the message that they are read only (how can that be on a RW cd?).
Based
on old info I see on this site, this is a long-term problem with XP. Have
any of the updates fixed it?

Some programs wait until you are ready to burn before it ask you if you want
to erase the CD-RW or add to it if it wasn't closed...

Have you tried to burn to this CD-RW?

George P.S. Try it and see....