Problem with writing to DVD-RW disc

[Wallace]

I have a rewritable CD and two rewritable DVD drives connected to my
computer and none of them allow the disc to be formatted or reformatted
whatever disc I put in (CD-R, CD-RW, DVD- RW etc).

Basically right clicking within Windows Explorer gives all the options
like Copy, Eject, Paste etc other that actually formatting the disc. I
would like to install Ubuntu but can't because of this.

Has some part of the OS been deleted. Any help appreciated.

Wallace

 

[Rich Barry]

Wallace, the CD-R does not need to be formatted. Go below and get
this free CD/Dvd Burner.
http://download.cnet.com/CDBurnerXP/3000-2646_4-10409086.html

I assume you downloaded a ISO Ubuntu file. CDBurnerXP does a good job

 

[Peter Foldes]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q316529

 

[M.I.5¾]

I have a rewritable CD and two rewritable DVD drives connected to my
computer and none of them allow the disc to be formatted or reformatted
whatever disc I put in (CD-R, CD-RW, DVD- RW etc).

Basically right clicking within Windows Explorer gives all the options
like Copy, Eject, Paste etc other that actually formatting the disc. I
would like to install Ubuntu but can't because of this.

Has some part of the OS been deleted. Any help appreciated.

CD and DVD discs do not require formatting before they are used. Windows
will write to CD writeable and rewriteable once recording is enabled for the
drive (right click the drive and select 'recording' tab in properties).
Windows will not write to DVD discs as supplied*. You can install third
party software that will allow you to write to DVDs (and CD) discs. Such
software will also offer you the opportunity to format the discs for uses in
a special 'packet' writing mode but few people use this these days as it is
not universally compatible. The option to format is included in the
Explorer right click options where you were expecting to find it.

* Except DVD-RAM if your drive supports it. DVD-RAM written under XP is not
compatible with Vista and vice versa (and I believe Windows 7).