Formatting new CDs

[Clavin Schwindt]

I am using Ws "XP Pro." The 'format' option is not shown on the menu either
when I right click on the CD external 'burner' icon within "My Computer" nor
if I left clik once (select) and go to FILE. My reference books tell me
either route should produce the menu item "Format" which would then produce
a dialog box. Why am I at a dead end?
CGS

 

[purplehaz]

What are you trying to do? You don't need to format blank cd's unless you
want to do packet writing, which xp's burning software does not do.

 

[Clavin Schwindt]

I am 'burning' with the W's installed program that came with "XP." Some time
ago I did format Memorex CD-RWs using a Windows program, which I can't
remember how I activated. I have used up all of them and have a supply of
Phillips that need to be formatted so they will function as RWs, not simply
Rs. Thanks for your earier reply. CGS
--- Original Message -----
From: "purplehaz" <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 11:12 AM
Subject: Re: Formatting new CDs

 

[purplehaz]

XP's built in burning software does not do packet writing. To burn to a cdrw
you just treat it as a cdr, this is all xp can do. Also a cdrw can only be
erased all at once in xp.
If you want to format the cdrw for packet writing, so the cd acts like a
giant floppy disk, then you need some thrid party software like Roxio or
Nero.

 

[Byte]

If the CD-RW has already been formatted it will not show
the option for format when rightclicking the CD drive.
It will show the option to remove files from the CD. A
better format can be had by using Roxio or Nero.

 

[NobodyMan]

I am 'burning' with the W's installed program that came with "XP." Some time
ago I did format Memorex CD-RWs using a Windows program, which I can't
remember how I activated. I have used up all of them and have a supply of
Phillips that need to be formatted so they will function as RWs, not simply
Rs. Thanks for your earier reply. CGS

No version of Windows has EVER provided native packet writing
capability. Somebody must have installed a third party packet-writing
utility on your computer if you didn't, but rest assured it had to be
there, since the OS can't do this.

Regardless, you can't "erase" as single file off a CDRW, even when
it's set up to act like a big floppy. All that happens is that the
entry pointing to it is removed in the TOC; the file itself still
takes up space until you erase the ENTIRE CDRW.

Packet writing is iffy. It works fine until it doesn't. Once that
moment arrives, you are pretty much left with a CD full of files you
will never see again. Packet write enough, and rest assured, that day
will come. Always have backups.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I am using Ws "XP Pro." The 'format' option is not shown on the menu either
when I right click on the CD external 'burner' icon within "My Computer" nor
if I left clik once (select) and go to FILE. My reference books tell me
either route should produce the menu item "Format" which would then produce
a dialog box. Why am I at a dead end?

The inbuilt burning system in XP does not use pre-formatted CDs and
there is no provision for formatting them. Read more at
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpcd.htm