Vista - Windows unable to complete format of DVD RW disks

I have an issue on my Gateway Laptop computer model MT6832B which has an
Opiarc ad-7530a DVD RW drive. I also have the same issue on my DELL
Dimension E520 with a TSST corp DVD+- RW TS -H653A drive. Both Computers are
running on Vista Home Premium Service Pack2
My issue is
this. When I try to format either a Philips DVD+RW disk or a Panasonic DVD-R
disk, on either machine, after apparently going through the formatting
procedure I get a message that Windows was unable to complete the format. It
is strange that the identical issue is found on both machines. Could Vista
be causing the issue? I would mention that I am able to format a CD-RW
disk OK.
Help to resolve this issue would be appreciated.
Thanks

--
JJ MacA

Try ImgBurn, a free program, which is good at formatting RW disks.

http://www.imgburn.com/

A DVD-R won't format since it's not RW.

"jj mac" <jj mac@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B30E3CF6-9C01-4289-94D9-BA8DD280CAA2@xxxxxx
:I have an issue on my Gateway Laptop computer model MT6832B which has an
: Opiarc ad-7530a DVD RW drive. I also have the same issue on my DELL
: Dimension E520 with a TSST corp DVD+- RW TS -H653A drive. Both Computers
are
: running on Vista Home Premium Service Pack2
: My issue
is
: this. When I try to format either a Philips DVD+RW disk or a Panasonic
DVD-R
: disk, on either machine, after apparently going through the formatting
: procedure I get a message that Windows was unable to complete the format.
It
: is strange that the identical issue is found on both machines. Could
Vista
: be causing the issue? I would mention that I am able to format a CD-RW
: disk OK.
: Help to resolve this issue would be appreciated.
: Thanks
:
: --
: JJ MacA

Only RW media can be formatted. A DVD-R or CD-R media cannot be formatted.

The purpose of formatting rewritable media is to allow it to be used like a
big floppy disk - i.e. to be able to freely save, copy, and delete files.
Is this what you want to do? Otherwise, there's no need to do so.

The fact that the same problem occurred on both computers raises a question
about the particular batch of DVD+RWs you're using. It would be helpful to
try a different media as the first step in troubleshooting.
--

"jj mac" <jj mac@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B30E3CF6-9C01-4289-94D9-BA8DD280CAA2@xxxxxx

Many thanks Tom. I have downloaded the Imgburn porgram and it is working
fine. I have been able to burn files and photos to the Philips DVD+ RW disc.
It will take me a while though to find my way around the program so that I
can exploit its full functionality.
I have found that my issue has been caused by a defective Philips disk but
I won't be uninstalling the Imgburn program
--
JJ MacA


"Tom Willett" wrote:

Thank you GTS.
AS you rightly point out I would never be able to format a DVD-R disk. I
should have known that.
Your suggestion that I should try a different RW media was spot on. Doing so
resolved my issue.
Many thanks
--
JJ MacA


"GTS" wrote:

You're welcome.
--

"jj mac" <jj mac@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:EAA7ED89-4E71-4B63-9A39-3C2710C796CE@xxxxxx