Unable to format a DVD.

bobbyscot

Member
Inserting a DVD-RW in drive, caption shows that
DVD requires to be formatted before it can be
written too. Clicking the E drive not longer displays
"Fomatt" or "Delete" only "Eject". What is required
to be done to be able to use format again?
Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
Try another DVD sounds like it might be defective
Make sure DVD is CD/RW
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Thanks for your suggestion, appreciated. I have tried dozens
of brand new DVD RW. Problem is to reinstate the "Format"
facility which was available when Vista 64-bit OS was initially
installed in my HP Presario CQ5115 uk computer. Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
You can try an SFC scan
If that does not work and you have an Vista install DVD you can make a repair install and you will not lose your stuff.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance

If you need a Vista install DVd, post your edition and bit 64 or 32 and you will get one emailed for free.
Be sure to remove your email when done. Also put email in another format such m y emai l at yahoo dot c o m
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I only have 4 DVDs supplied by HP, in cases were it is required to put
computer back to factory settings. I have only the one E-mail address.
Your suggestions most appreciated. Bobby.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
Are you trying to burn from a particular program?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
It is to format DVD to completely erase entire contents saved to the DVD.
From time to time a caption is shown on screen "Format before use of disc".
or "Disc must be formatted before it can be used". However the "Delete" is
no longer applicable on pop up window. I need to open the disc in question,
high light the files already displayed and then delete as normal.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
If you right click on the disc in Windows Explorer, there should be an option in the Context menu to Erase the disc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Checked, no "Format" shown. No format facility available at all.
This may have no significance to Post in question, "Backup" is
also not abled as caption "Catastrophic error 0x800FFFF". I am
not familiar with this term as to what it means or what causes it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
erase this disc.jpg

This is what I was talking about.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
I am afraid that is not in my case. Tried Microsoft Help Chat, little help as usual
as after a time they state that it require a special software to make repair but
requires a fee to be paid before doing so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
When I right click Windows Explorer, it certain does not show any "Erase"
or does right click "E" drive (DVD player) icon. I must be doing the wrong
steps to obtain results you mention.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
If you have a disc in the drive when you select and right click on it in Windows Explorer, you should have the erase option. I was going to give you a link to a program to erase your discs but, if Windows is messed up, I thought that would be a higher priority.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Thank you for reply, inserting DVD in drive and clicking drive icon will show content or if empty. Other than that, nothing else is shown on the screen, except "Eject" that refer to DVDs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
Do you have a system restore point to before this started happening?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Afraid not as this error relates to weeks ago. My last backup that maybe good, was 3rd Mrch,2015.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
If that was a backup of your operating system, I'd use it. Beats doing a factory reset and reinstalling all your software or doing a Vista repair.

In regards to your DVD problem, go here-

Official Nero Downloads | Free Software Trials and Updates

Find the Nero Free Tools and download/install DiscSpeed. Open it and select Extras. Select Erase Disc. Does it work?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
At the moment I have no DVDs with installed software to try out "Delete". I have downloaded the Nero softare for future trial. At present, I can open a DVD and from list, right click file and select "Delete", but not with pop up as it fails to show "Delete" as before. I can no longer, copy a file from computer to DVD, by opening the DVD and use of "Copy" from the pop up window. I maybe confused with Windows 7. I had Windows 7 as my OS, but an error erased the entire content of the desktop, this happened three time after doing a fatory setting and therefore retained Windows Vista.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
I notice now that the "Fomat" facility is shown on all HD pop up window with the exception of the DVD drive "E".
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON Corp. Benicia (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0 GB DDR2 @ 399MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Viseo 230Ws (1920x1080@60Hz)
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Packard bell
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS-65AB2
    WS Elements 107C USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    Toshiba External USB 3.0 USB Device
    PSU
    750Watt
    Case
    HP Presario CQ5115 uk
    Cooling
    Internal fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K400r Wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
    Internet Speed
    Broadband 50M
I've been messing with this.

If I install a blank DVD-RW, there is no option to erase or format the disc. That's understandable if the disc doesn't require formatting or is truly blank. There is also no option to burn to the disc. That leads me to believe that Windows won't write to a DVD-RW.

If I insert a blank DVD+R which doesn't require formatting, then I have the option to burn to disc. However, one has to select the files to be burned before using that option.

If I install a DVD-RW which is not empty, I'm given the option to erase the disc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
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