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General discussion

Cannot format anything

Nov 18, 2010 6:35AM PST

Gateway Computer
Model GT5668E
AMD Athalon 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ 300Ghz
3Gig RAM
32 Bit
HL-DT-ST DVD RAM GH22LP20 ATA Device
Optiarc DVD RW AD-70203A ATA Device

Not sure what other info I need. Anyway for some reason I cannot format RW CD's or memory sticks or anything. I keep getting an error that says it failed. I have tried Windows format, Ashampoo Burning program, and nothing will allow me to format. When I stick a CD-RW in my drives I get a message saying it needs to be formatted but then the dang thing won't format, just gives an error message that the attempt failed.not sure what to do to get this thing working.

Discussion is locked

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Re: formatting
Nov 18, 2010 8:07PM PST

Formatting a USB-stick or formatting a CD-RW are totally different things for most OS''es. But you forgot to tell which OS (Windows 98, ME, XP, Vista, 7?) you have.

Let's start with the USB-stick, those are easiest.
- Put a USB-stick in, go to My Computer or Windows Explorer, right click on the drive in the left panel and choose format. Try both quick and slow. What exactly happens?
- If it doesn't work, try it on another PC to see if it's a problem with the stick or with your Windows.

Kees

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Oops
Nov 18, 2010 10:17PM PST

LOL Put in everything except Vista Home.

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And now the results of your USB-experiments
Nov 18, 2010 10:20PM PST

CD-RW is totally different, and I have neither Windows Vista nor Ashampoo, so I can't help you with that. I hope someone else joins the discussion.

But can you tell already what happens if in Ashampoo you do the 'format CD RW'-thing.

Kees

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You haven't told about the flash stick ...
Nov 19, 2010 2:23AM PST

experiment mentioned and you have not mentioned which of several Ashampoo burning apps you have installed.

If you do not have packet writing software installed you will not have the option to format a CD. Ashampoo DOES NOT offer packet writing to my knowledge.

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No format
Nov 19, 2010 11:07AM PST

How did you originally write to the CDRW? I would think that program would "erase a rewritable disc". I use Nero & have for years. Very easy to use & reuse all rewritable discs. in the least, i would think you would be able to "undo" your last session.
On your memory sticks, do you see them in My Computer after you insert them? Are they locked? Does your reader write as well? There are some out there that do not write, just a nice, cheap little reader.
If right clicking doesn't allow a format, go to computer management.
Programs-Accessories-system tools-Administrative tools-Computer Management. Go down to the storage area & click on Disk Management. If your drive is found, right click to format. I have a You-tube video on this.
Keep in mind that it won't do anything for your cdrw's, those are erased, not formatted, unless you're using it as a back up drive (like packet writing) a simple quick erase is fine. I'd use full erase & make sure it's clean.
Than, whichever software wrote the packet, should be able to "unwrite" or format it.

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Sorry it has been so late...
Mar 4, 2011 1:02AM PST

Had a bunch of stuff going on including getting married. Anyway I tried formatting on a different computer and it works. I have Ashampoo Burning Studio 9, DVDFlick, FoxTab AVI, 1 step DVD copy, iSfter DVDPlatinum, FLV Pro Player, and Sound Taxi installed since each one does things a bit different and covers different things... It would be nice if I could find one program that did everything.

I can write stuff to my Mp3 player and format it, also memory sticks, it just seems to be CD-RWs that I have the problem with...

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Formatting CD-RWs Isn't A Reliable Method
Mar 4, 2011 1:12AM PST

Although you can format CD-RWs, which allows you to copy and paste items directly to the disc, such processes are not reliable for two reasons I can think of..

1. The formatting/packet-writing software is not universal and one brand doesn't support another.. Roxio uses something different from Nero, etc. and transferring such formatted discs to a computer with a different brand of formatting usually makes the disc useless.

2. Such formatted discs are simply poor backup items.. If you use them much, you'll quickly find out that after a few reformats and rewrites, they quit being recognized correctly by CD/DVD players.

If you're using them for backup discs, a better option is to "Erase" the disc, then copy all data/songs/pictures to the disc by using a traditional complete/finalized burn.. The disc is then recognizable by any computer's CD player and the disc doesn't seem to magically become unreadable at the drop of a hat. If you want to copy new data to the CD-RW, simply "Erase" the disc and burn new data to the disc, finalizing it at the end.

Hope this helps.

Grif