Format CD‐RW

A CD-RW is a type of rewritable, digital storage media used to record and store computer files, images and other data. When the proper hardware, software and device drivers are installed, formatting and burning a CD-RW can be accomplished in a few basic steps. Difficulties related to formatting or burning data to a CD-RW are common and can occur for a variety of reasons. Often times, problems occur when the optical disk drive (ODD) or CD/DVD drive installed on the computer is outdated or incompatible with the recording media. Another common cause of difficulties related to formatting a CD-RW can be resolved by simply updating the firmware or device drivers for the CD/DVD drive. When attempting to burn data to a CD-RW in Windows XP, a third-party software program is required. This article provides detailed instructions for resolving the most commonly experienced issues when attempting to burn data to a CD-RW.

Steps

1. Insert a CD-RW into the disk drive or ODD. After a few moments, the "Burn a disk" dialog box will open on the desktop.
2. Enter a title for the disc in the appropriate field.
3. Click on "Show formatting options," and select either the Live File System option or the Master formatting option.
   • Choose the Live File System option if you wish to be able to record over the existing data at some point in the future.
   • Choose the Master option if you wish to prevent anyone from recording over the data stored on the disk.
4. Click "Next" to complete the formatting process. After a few moments, a prompt will inform you that the disk is now ready to receive files. The CD-RW has been formatted in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Format and Burn a CD-RW in Mac OS X

1. Insert a CD-RW into the disk drive or ODD. After a few moments, the "Burn a disk" dialog box will open on the desktop.
2. Enter a title for the disc in the appropriate field. The formatting options pop-up will be displayed on the desktop.
3. Choose a formatting option and select "Prepare." A disk-shaped icon will appear on the desktop once the formatting process has been completed. At this point, the disk has been formatted and files can be dragged and dropped onto the disk icon for burning. The CD-RW has been formatted in Mac OS X.

Update the Device Drivers for the CD-Drive Directly from the Manufacturer's Website

1. Download and install the most current device drivers for the CD-drive. Updating the device drivers prior to attempting to format a CD-RW will frequently solve any formatting issues.
   • Navigate to the manufacturer's website. Be sure to have the model number of the CD/DVD drive available. The device drivers can typically be found in the "Downloads and Support" section of the manufacturer's website.
   • Follow the instructions for download and installation provided by the manufacturer. Attempt to format the CD-RW again once the device driver installation process is complete. The drivers for the CD/DVD drive have been updated.

Update the Device Drivers for the CD-Drive with Windows

1. Use Window's Driver update feature to update the device drivers for the CD-drive. Updating the device drivers prior to attempting to format a CD-RW will often solve formatting issues.
   • Open the Control panel from the Start menu and double-click the Device Manager icon. The Device Manager folder containing a list of the devices installed on the computer will open on the desktop.
   • Locate the CD/DVD drive from the list of installed devices. Double-click the device and enter the user name and password if prompted. The device manager dialog box will open on the desktop.
   • Click on the driver tab and then click the Update Driver button located in the lower-left corner of the dialog box.
   • Follow the instructions as directed by the Driver Update Wizard and attempt to format the CD-RW once the drivers for the device have been updated. The device drivers for the CD/DVD drive have been updated using Windows Driver update feature.

Tips

• Because Windows XP does not provide a feature for formatting CD-RWs, a third-party software program will be required. These programs are often bundled with the computer at the time of purchase, but also can be purchased from a local vendor or downloaded free of charge online from a variety of developers. Contact a local computer retailer or perform an Internet search using the key words "CD/DVD burning software" to produce a list of programs that will allow you to format a CD-RW once installed.
• CD drives manufactured prior to 1997 may not be compatible with modern digital media storage disks. All models which comply to the modern CD-RW formatting standards will be marked "multi-recorder" on the front of the drive in compliance with industry regulation.

Sources and Citations

• http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Format-a-CD-or-DVD
• http://support.apple.com/kb/ta44036
• http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Erase-a-CD-or-DVD
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-RW
• http://www.osta.org/technology/pdf/cdr_cdrw.pdf

See also

• Make a Professional Quality CD
• Put Photos on a CD That Will Play on a DVD Player
• Print DVD Labels
• Make a CD Sleeve from Paper
• Fix a Scratched DVD
• Create an ISO File
• Fix a Scratched CD
• Transfer VHS Tapes to DVD or Other Digital Formats
• Spot Fake DVDs
• Burn a DVD

Read more ...

What links here

• Erase a CD RW
• Format DVD RW