cd-rw

I have a dell XPS 8100 Win 7 Home premium
I have been used to just inserting the cd-rw and erasing then writing to it. Now it asks me to choose hiow I want to use it.
My question is, it focred me to format and after that, i cannot write to acronis for a recue disc but can writre to it with Word for example.
Any ideas how to fix this cd-rw?

 

Greetings, peterr.

Just to get them out of the way, try these Microsoft Fix-its:

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/cd_dvd_drive_problems/en-us and http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...ning-cds-dvds-and-bluray-discs-troubleshooter .

They may or may not solve your problem, but I'd suggest running them first before other steps are taken.

Also, what program are you using to burn disks?

 

By formatting it you have created what is called a live file system, where you can add and erase files just like a hard disk. However Acronis can't work with that type of disk, so try formatting it again and this time select Mastered.

 

Thank you. I have created your referral site as a favorite to go to in the event of trouble I cannot resolve. In this case I did as you may read in my next post to Earthling.

 

Hi B -I attached a PrtScn(please see P.S. below) because I could not find how to format as 'Mastered'.
I have been using my cd-rw's each time I need a new rescue disc and have never had this issue before. Usually I just tic 'erase' then create the disc.
I just did a quick format which did not work but 'erased' and then I could create the rescue disc which I proved. The problem is solved but this box is a mystery to me.
The PrtScn is my way of asking why this question box is appearing and which I should choose if any. I prefer to keep the cd-rw re writable if possible as I have been doing but this box seems to want me to limit it to writing once, unless I am reading it incorrectly.
I am at a loss as to why the erasing solved the problem when, last night, it did not, unless the quick format made a diffence.
Thank you sir.
Peter
P.S. I just noticed I sent the wrong PrtScn that is confusing me.I do not know how to erase this first one so i will have to send another post with the one to which i wish to refer . very sorry.

 

This PrtScn is the box that is new to me, I find confusing and do not know how to reply to it as far as Acronis and general use is concerned.
Thank you once again.

 

Just a suggestion from an old timer.....

STOP using erasable disks and start using regular CD Roms or DVD's to make your backups and store your data.

I found out, much to my own disgrace, that RW disks are only reliable on the drive that wrote them and maybe not even that drive after it ages and the lasers drift off of the original frequency.

I carry all my Service Software on CD/DVD with me on every service call. (I'm still a working PC service tech)
I thought I'd save a lot of money if I just used RW disks, but when I found my RW's not being read on my customer's PC's, I had to change my thinking. At the low price of CD's today, it's not worth all the hassle to use RW's for anything.
If I want to save a backup or just make a data disk, I want to know for sure that it will be readable on any CD drive I need to use it on.

Just a suggestion......from the voice of experience.

Cheers Mate!
Shadow :cool

 

Hi peterr - I guessed that would be the dialog box you were looking at. You would take the lower option (if you read the description it ends with Mastered), but I don't know either why you got asked because you ought to be able, as you say, simply to erase the disk and use it again.

The difference between the two format options is whether you can use the disk like a floppy or USB drive, adding and deleting as required (first option), or whether you can only write once and not erase, (second option), but the second option doesn't stop you from erasing the entire disk and using it again, it just means you can't add more files later if there are already files on the disk.

Your Acronis rescue CD is pretty important. Personally I wouldn't advocate using CD-RW, only CD-R.

 

I appreciate your suggestion, from one old timer to the other.
Have you considered using flash drives for your portable work?

 

>>If I understand, I choose the second of the two with the word 'mastered' which I overlooked. Thank you for pointing it out.
Then, no more files can be added until, or unless I ersase it, in which case it reverts to functioning as a cd-rw again.
I appreciate the wisdom in using a normal cd due to the significance of its functoning. Thank you

 

I tried two dvd-r's to create Dell's recovery dvds. I have done this before for myself and friends about 5 times and twice it failed.
So first, can I still preserve a failed disk by erasing or formatting it and using it for something else, or just toss it?
No disc will work with Dell if it recognizes a dvd-rw (if you are using one-which I do not) or if there is content on one. I tried fromatting one but Dell would not accept it.
So I have one which Dell said," Recovery creation spoiled", and one which I formatted.
I still do not know why I am being asked about how I use it -flash as opposed to disc.
These are dvd's not rw's so I am a bit off topic but still touching upon it.

 

I don't know which dialog you are seeing but if it is like the one below just "X"/Close out of it. Then run the program you want to use. It is just a list of suggestions so just ignore it.

DELL's recovery burning software wants a blank unformatted disc. So put a new disc in straight from the package and then close out of the suggestion window and open your Dell program and let it handle the disc the way it wants.

***A failed burn creates a disc that must be trashed. No saving it.

 

>>The box I see asks me if I want to use this disc as a dvd or as a flash drive. I understand Earthling's explanation about it. Please see his last post in this thread.
I figured I was going to toss the dvds and did.
I can understand why a plain dvd would be required and thank you for your help.

 

Hello
I chose the first option "use as flashdrive" as opposed to "use as dvd" as it seems I shoud be able to use the dvd-rw as just that, and write to it more than once.
I have been able to wirte sevaral photos to it but I can't seem to add to the disc with more material.
Why is that? XP allowed me to add to a DVD-RW.
Thank you

 

It could be that there just isn't any space left on the disk. As I understand it CD-RWs are not really like flash drives in the sense that when you delete something on a flash drive the space released can be re-used, but it can't on a CD-RW. Writing further files to a CD-RW only uses previously unused space, so eventually the disk will fill up. However you can erase the entire disk and start all over.

That's how it was when I last used CD-RW anyway, but having said that things may have changed in the last year or three.

 

Hello B.
I only put a small amount on the disc so there is substantial room - I checked.
I noticed a small quick message that said this only supports the following format and DVD-RW-which I am using- was not listed,neither was there any plus or minus.
It did say DVD+RW is supported. I Binged it and it seems it is more costly and not as common. Pehaps it is because this setup is new I really do not know.
So I use DVD-R and DVD+RW. I hoped I could use DVD-+RW but not so.
However, the formats I noticed were with the Roxio program but I wonder if I need DVD+ RW with Windows. I think that way because I could not get the DVD-RW to function with Windows .
Before I buy a few, does this sound valid in your opinon?
Peter

 

You need someone who uses and understands DVD-RW peter. That certainly isn't me. :-o

 

Hello B.
I just had an after thought. This pc is being replaced for a new one like it.
This is a Dell Studio 8100 but is no longer made. I am getting the Studio XPS 8300 which is the twin of this, so to speak. I wonder if the discs will be compatible to the ones I was discussing in the previous post?
I do not know what determines this so can not make a judgment. It may be the company who makes the drive and therefore could vary. How does one know to buy the appropriate disc?
Maybe buy 5 and trial and error?

 

Bernard
I posted before I checked my mail so sorry to trouble you.
I will hope someone jumps in here.
Peter