XP gurus - Help please...

[RodKirby]

I want to (Data) format a DVD-RW so I can write/overwrite to it - AND - have the the the thing recognized after writing to it (Explorer).

- I have a Dell pc - running XP home SP2 and all Windows updates.

- I just bought Roxie's MyDVD which appears to format OK but can't be read by Explorer Roxie simply send me to check MyDVD level

- Google searches - DLA, etc. etc. send me around in circles

Does anyone know of a "simple" way to Data-format a DVD-RW? I'm happy to pay - if it works.

[crokett]

Somebody who knows more than me can correct me but I don't think you can read it in explorer until the DVD has been closed out. I haven't messed with rewritables much but I believe you have to finalize it before you can read it in explorer.

[jackellis]

I think David is correct.

[pelligrini]

It's called packet writing, where you can drag and drop to rewritable media. I don't think that XP can do it without 3rd party software.

I used to use Roxio's DirectCD a few years ago with some CD-RWs. There were some options if the CD was going to be used on other systems & computers. I can't remember what all options there were now. I quit using it after a couple CDs got hosed and I lost some data. Multi-session disks usually need to be finalized/closed.

I still have a few DVD-RWs around, but I ran into some compatability issues between different readers. That was a few years ago too. Hopefully it's better now.

[Rich P]

As they say on the western shore of the Pacific, "Good Ruck!" The only software I have found reliable for anything to do with "RW" is Nero and I'm not sure where they stand with "drag to disc". Roxio was originally an Adaptec product to get folks to buy SCSI and for it's time it was good. It was spun off to someplace in Asia and I frankly lost interest a few years ago for much the same reasons as your frustration.

[Kristofor]

Packet writing is better than it was when it was first available, but still lots more quirky than plain CDRs or USB Drives for the two more common uses of that feature. It does require extra software under XP. The webpage for MyDVD doesn't have anything jumpping out at me one way or another. (FWIW Nero is the app suite I would steer anyone to for burning if someone wants more than ImgBurn or another free app can do)

However, RW media can also be used like a regular CDR in a write mode, then later erase and rewrite as a session rather than one file at a time. That mode tends to be less quirky (but also less convenient perhaps)

What task are you trying to accomplish Rod? Maybe we can suggest another approach all together (synch proggie, online file storage, USB drive, etc.).

[RodKirby]

...What task are you trying to accomplish Rod? Maybe we can suggest another approach all together (synch proggie, online file storage, USB drive, etc.).

Ahhhhhhhh - Kirby bangs head, several times
(In my defence - I did turn 67 yesterday).

I love you guys - every time I have a senior moment, someone comes to my rescue

USB drive - of course. I only wanted a convenient form of backup - I was using a DVD that died.

Happy ending story:

Drove down to our Computer/Electrical store - having a One-day sale! As I cruised around the front of the store thinking I'd never get a park, someone reversed out just in front of me

Picked up an 8GB USB drive marked at A$78 - salesman came over, crossed the number off and wrote A$30

Got home, plugged it in and ran 2nd Copy - perfectly

[cgallery]

Packet writing is better than it was when it was first available, but still lots more quirky than plain CDRs or USB Drives for the two more common uses of that feature.

+1

Don't trust any valuable data to packet-written media.