Cannot Erase or Format DVD RW disks

[FlightDeck]

Hello,

I am a relative newbie to all this DVD stuff so please go easy on me

I seem to have a great deal of difficulty erasing or formatting DVD's. So much so that I'm fairly sure I must be doing something wrong.

I use Imation DVD+R (RW)disks mostly but also Maxell DVD+R (RW) disks.

I have LG-H22N DVD burners and a LITE-ON DVDRW LDW-4115.

For software I have
Roxio DVD Creator 6
DVDInfo
Nero Digital 3.1.0.14
Nero OEM 6.6.0.19

I am unable to "Erase" any disks on any system ?

Even with a brand new, never touched disk. When I run Nero After choosing the drive and erase method, the ERASE button remains grayed out and I can never click it. My ONLY "choice" is to Cancel.
This same outcome occurs on 3 different PC's with 3 different DVD drives using different media (Maxell or Imation). "RW" does mean it should be erasable....doesn't it?

Can anyone shed any light on this?

I thought I could always completely erase an RW DVD disk back to blank, purchased stated? Not so?

Thanks for any help !

[Pilgrim]

My meagre understanding has always been that you need to have a "packet writing" program to either format or erase RW media, e.g., "Drag to Disc" or "InCD". You have neither in your list. That would account for the "Erase" function being grayed out.

[FlightDeck]

Hi Pilgrim,

Could be?

I didn't know you had to have one of those to erase a disk. I tried to use DVDInfoPro and even it couldn't erase them.

I do HAVE both of the oacket writers you mentioned but they are just as useless as everything else I tried.

I think the general feeling on this forum about RW drives (at least DVD) is that they are not really "there" quality wise. I read a lot of posts and it seems most of those in the know suggest using 1 use or multisession disks (non RW) disks, I have no problem with those either, I just can't "Blank" disks after I've put something on them.

If the "solution" to this problem is simply staying away from RW disks, then I can handle that. I just bought 8 - 30 packs of TDK DVD's for $24.00.
That's 240 TDK DVD's for $24,00....about a dime each. Definitely in the disposable range.

Thanks for the reply. I'll check into the packet writing some more as you suggest.

Best Regards,
FlightDeck

[Pilgrim]

FYI, you cannot install more than one packet writing program on your system. So, choose one and try it. Then if you are so inclined, uninstall that one and choose another to try. But again, don't try to install more than one.

[algrinch]

Are you sure the discs you are using are re-recordable?

My DVD +R discs have a RW symbol on the disc, but are not re-recordable, they are recordable only once.

I am fairly confident that Nero can erase re-recordable discs without packet writing software installed. You can burn a re-recordable disc as if it were a normal DVD+R and then erase it and use it again.

If the disc is re-recordable it should say DVD+RW or DVD-RW. It should also say re-recordable on the package.

[Justin42]

Yes, Nero can/will erase rewritable discs without other software.

Many people think they have Rewritable discs due to the DVD+R's group poor choice of a logo.

That said, RW discs seem to be VERY flaky and you would probably be better off not using them in the first place, but that's another issue entirely.

[Grain]

ImgBurn will also erase RW's, full or quick, it doesn't need any other software on your computer to work either. And it's free!

[bill]

A scan with Nero's Info Tool will display the disk type. Insert the disk in a re-writable drive. Open Nero Info Tool, ( note-it will scan your hardware and disk automatically) click on the Disk tab and read the top line for disk type.. It will display RW if it's re-writable.

I can't remember if Nero Info Tool is included with Nero "OEM" version.. Its a cool little tool- http://www.nero.com/nero6/eng/Info_Tool.html

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I stopped using packet writing a long time ago... If I remember correctly, you can't drag and drop files nor delete within the Windows desktop, My Computer etc. without packet writing software. You can drag and drop files (edit-) and burn within Nero to a RW disk, as Justin mentioned above, without packet writing.

[Pilgrim]

Well, I could be wrong too, but my understanding and thus my own practice is that you can only use drag & drop with a formatted CD-RW disc. To add files to an UNformatted CD-RW disc you have to "burn" them using Nero or similar burning application.

[bill]

Yup, "burn", that's what I should have said, thank you .