beallflower said:
with xp I cant format a disk in my dvd r. I am the administrator . Even
using
disk management the format option is hidden. I can copy if I want to use
roxio. But Windows wont let me .
Windows XP has no native ability to write to DVD media (except DVD-RAM).
In order to write data to DVD disks you require a third party utility such
as Nero or Roxio's Easy media creator. However, to write a DVD in the
standard way, it is not necessary to format the disc first, you just write
your data using your chosen utility and it takes care of everything.
The only time you need to format a disk before you use it is if you use one
of the packet writing systems. These essentially format the disc in such a
way that it appears to Windows just like any other rewritable media (such as
your hard disc or a USB thumb drive). Although these utilities will format
both 'R' and 'RW'* media to use in this way, the space occupied by deleted
or modified files obviously cannot be recovered from the former. 'R' media
can be closed so that it looks like a regular DVD.
If you really want to use DVDs in this way, then use the DVD+RW media in
preference to DVD-RW. There are two reasons. One is that the media becomes
available for use almost as soon as the formatting process has started and
can be interrupted at any time (DVD-RW must be fully formatted before it can
be used - and it takes a long time). The other is that DVD+RW contains
technology that removes the risk that a data write misses the intended
location and trashes the disc. In general terms packet writing of these
discs is not recommended these days because there is media in abundance that
is far better at the job. If you must and if you drive supports the media,
use DVD-RAM for this purpose.
* Nero's In-CD will not work with 'R' media.