Vista - Help! DVD format error: "Windows was unable to complete the format

I am having the same issue, but cannot find a Microsoft posting with the
solution!

"hamishmacdonald" wrote:

> I'm unable to format DVD rewritable media in the File Explorer. (I can burn
> from other programs.)
>
> I would like to copy backup files to disk -- and to use this basic
> functionality! -- but I'm having the issue described in Knowledge Base
> article KB931654, namely that my PC running Windows Vista Home Premium fails
> to format optical media.
>
> Apparently there's a hotfix, but you have to write or call to find out about
> it. I don't have the time at the moment to go through that process, so I was
> wondering if anyone else had had this issue, and more importantly, if anyone
> has a solution.
>
> Thanks!

"hamishmacdonald" wrote:

> I'm unable to format DVD rewritable media in the File Explorer. (I can burn
> from other programs.)
>
> I would like to copy backup files to disk -- and to use this basic
> functionality! -- but I'm having the issue described in Knowledge Base
> article KB931654, namely that my PC running Windows Vista Home Premium fails
> to format optical media.
>
> Apparently there's a hotfix, but you have to write or call to find out about
> it. I don't have the time at the moment to go through that process, so I was
> wondering if anyone else had had this issue, and more importantly, if anyone
> has a solution.
>
> Thanks!

I had the same problem with windows getting about 95% finished, then
showing the message, "Windows unable to format disk."
I tried a different appraoch. When I put in the disk, and The prompt came
up to save files to disk or a couple other options, I clicked the "X" and
Closed the prompt. I then went and hit the Start button on the task bar, and
went to "Computer" the Right clicked on the Disk Drive. A menu came up and I
hit Format in that menu. The disk started formatting and it "COMPLETED the
FORMAT!!!!!!!"
It worked for me, and I formatted the rest of my new disk hat I had bought
so I can now save files!

"hamishmacdonald" wrote:

> I'm unable to format DVD rewritable media in the File Explorer. (I can burn
> from other programs.)
>
> I would like to copy backup files to disk -- and to use this basic
> functionality! -- but I'm having the issue described in Knowledge Base
> article KB931654, namely that my PC running Windows Vista Home Premium fails
> to format optical media.
>
> Apparently there's a hotfix, but you have to write or call to find out about
> it. I don't have the time at the moment to go through that process, so I was
> wondering if anyone else had had this issue, and more importantly, if anyone
> has a solution.
>
> Thanks!

Well, at least it said that it formatted the disk?? Still when I went to
save files to the disk, it once again said...."Windows needs to format disk?"
So I tried it again and it almost completed it again and the popped
up...."Window unable to format disk?"
Has Anyone came up with a answer for this problem??????
HELP Someone!!!!!!!!!

"BalRocket61" wrote:

> I had the same problem with windows getting about 95% finished, then
> showing the message, "Windows unable to format disk."
> I tried a different appraoch. When I put in the disk, and The prompt came
> up to save files to disk or a couple other options, I clicked the "X" and
> Closed the prompt. I then went and hit the Start button on the task bar, and
> went to "Computer" the Right clicked on the Disk Drive. A menu came up and I
> hit Format in that menu. The disk started formatting and it "COMPLETED the
> FORMAT!!!!!!!"
> It worked for me, and I formatted the rest of my new disk hat I had bought
> so I can now save files!
>
> "hamishmacdonald" wrote:
>
> > I'm unable to format DVD rewritable media in the File Explorer. (I can burn
> > from other programs.)
> >
> > I would like to copy backup files to disk -- and to use this basic
> > functionality! -- but I'm having the issue described in Knowledge Base
> > article KB931654, namely that my PC running Windows Vista Home Premium fails
> > to format optical media.
> >
> > Apparently there's a hotfix, but you have to write or call to find out about
> > it. I don't have the time at the moment to go through that process, so I was
> > wondering if anyone else had had this issue, and more importantly, if anyone
> > has a solution.
> >
> > Thanks!