Cannot format a DVD+R

[Nil]

PS: I can't even burn a simple data disk with this computer and
look at it on the same or on another computer.
I cab see (visually) that something was recorded, but the
computer(s) read the disk as empty or needing to be formated

Are you burning the disk using Live File System (UDF) format? If so,
you should read the help entry about that, including this bit:

"Before you can use a recordable disc (such as CD-R, DVD-R, or DVD+R)
formatted with the Live File System format in other computers and
devices, you need to close the current disc session to prepare the disc
for use. By default, Windows closes your disc automatically when it is
ejected."

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

In that case, the fault lies with the brain dead application, and my
advice would be to use a different backup app, (there are many, some
of which are free), or to save the backup to different media such as
a hard drive. Once saved, it can still be burned to DVD's, if
desired.

It is not a matter of being "brain dead," it is the manner of operation.
Windows Backup is an incremental backup that updates the last backup
rather than create a new file each time. To do that, it must be able to
edit the backup file, a read write operation.

 

[Char Jackson]

It is not a matter of being "brain dead," it is the manner of operation.
Windows Backup is an incremental backup that updates the last backup
rather than create a new file each time. To do that, it must be able to
edit the backup file, a read write operation.

That's fine, but my point was that if it's limited to making that type
of backup, and only that type of backup, then its value is greatly
diminished, nearly to the point of being worthless as a backup
solution. Maybe I'm just spoiled by 6-7 years of Acronis True Image.

 

[Buffalo]

I believe the DVD+R's work fine for general file saving, it is only
when you try to use them with the Windows Backup program that
problems arise.

Thank you. I finally did find (in the Help section) that non RW DVDs cannot
be used during the Windows Backup process.
Buffalo4
PS: I am still unable to burn a DVD on this laptop.

 

[johnbee]

< Thank you. I finally did find (in the Help section) that non RW DVDs
cannot
< be used during the Windows Backup process.
< Buffalo4
< PS: I am still unable to burn a DVD on this laptop.


PC backup has always been dodgy even since pre windows days. However my PC
has been running backup since February, to a DVD-R - I have just recently
had to replace it with another DVD-R disk. It does actually work as well,
because I have done a couple of test recoveries on individual files. I
don't back much up though - only documents.

When I put the second disk in it told me that it needed formatting, but it
all seemed to go OK. As a matter of interest it seems to me that backing up
to an RW is exactly what I would not want to do, since I want backups to be
as permanent as possible.

 

[Buffalo]

It's not a question of whether they work with Win7 or not, or with the
laptop or not. It's a question of what kinds of disk the optical drive
itself will support. Some take +Rs, some take -Rs, some take both. You
have to look at the drive's specs.

There are many online essays about the differences between the discs
themselves:

Thanks for the replay and the link.

This burner takes both. I don't know if it is a software problem or a
hardware problem, but this damn laptop will not 'close' out the damn disc
and then it just makes the disc unusable. I've looked in options and I can't
find out how to make sure it closes the disc upon burning. It should not be
this difficult. Could it be the DVD burner itself?

I tried just copying a DVD, just burning data, and just burning pictures,
and the dreaded Backup. The disc gets burned (can see the color change on
the disc, but it seems as it does not get 'closed'.

I will just tell my friend to take this damn laptop back to Office Depot. If
that doesn't work, I will have her call HP help. LOL.
(She doesn't even know how to make a folder, so it should be fun for the HP
help people.
I'm very tired of wasting my DVD's on this new Windows system laptop. I have
no problems on my Win98SE or my Win2000Pro.
Buffalo

 

[Buffalo]

Thanks for the replay and the link.

This burner takes both. I don't know if it is a software problem or a
hardware problem, but this damn laptop will not 'close' out the damn
disc and then it just makes the disc unusable. I've looked in options
and I can't find out how to make sure it closes the disc upon
burning. It should not be this difficult. Could it be the DVD burner
itself?

I tried just copying a DVD, just burning data, and just burning
pictures, and the dreaded Backup. The disc gets burned (can see the
color change on the disc, but it seems as it does not get 'closed'.

I will just tell my friend to take this damn laptop back to Office
Depot. If that doesn't work, I will have her call HP help. LOL.
(She doesn't even know how to make a folder, so it should be fun for
the HP help people.
I'm very tired of wasting my DVD's on this new Windows system laptop.
I have no problems on my Win98SE or my Win2000Pro.
Buffalo

They couldn't get it to burn properly at Office Depot either. They took the
laptop back and she is either going to get a replacement or pay more for a
higher power laptop.
Thanks for all the replies.
Buffalo
PS: Whew, I thought it might have been operator failure.

 

[Nil]

They couldn't get it to burn properly at Office Depot either. They
took the laptop back and she is either going to get a replacement
or pay more for a higher power laptop.
Thanks for all the replies.
Buffalo
PS: Whew, I thought it might have been operator failure.

I always hate to be defeated by a machine, and I'll sometimes bang away
at them way longer than I should, just hoping to get some satisfaction.
But sometimes you just have to give up on it just to stop wasting your
time and patience. I think you did the right thing.

It doesn't take a whole lot of horsepower to burn an optical disk. Not
that you should take the opportunity to get a better computer, but I
doubt that lack of horsepower was the problem with the old one.

 

[Buffalo]

I always hate to be defeated by a machine, and I'll sometimes bang
away at them way longer than I should, just hoping to get some
satisfaction. But sometimes you just have to give up on it just to
stop wasting your time and patience. I think you did the right thing.

It doesn't take a whole lot of horsepower to burn an optical disk. Not
that you should take the opportunity to get a better computer, but I
doubt that lack of horsepower was the problem with the old one.

I agree. The one she had was powerful enough for her and the Celeron uses
less power so the battery lasts longer.
Buffalo