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General discussion

DVD-Rom can't read a blank CD-R

Dec 25, 2004 2:29PM PST

I have a DVD-Rom and I'm trying to back up some files on my C Drive to a blank CD-R. When I put the blank CD-R in the drive and click on the drive, it says insert a disk into Drive D:.

Do I have to format the CD-R before I can save files?
Why won't the drive read the CD-R?

Thanks
Matt

Discussion is locked

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Please explain.
Dec 25, 2004 7:01PM PST

Mjm04,

Are you sure it's a DVD-burner, or just a DVD-reader (DVD-Rom surely points to the last!).
What's your OS (98, Me, XP)?
What burning program do you use?

Kees

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Can't read a blank disk
Dec 25, 2004 7:23PM PST

No drive can read a blank disk and you will get that error message every time. And as far as I know, you can't format a CD-R, only a CD-RW. So once you burn something on the blank CD-R, the drive should read it. If not, post back.

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Gail, Yes You Can Format A CD-R Disk
Dec 26, 2004 5:13AM PST

Although a CD-RW disk was designed for this purpose, formatting a CD-R allows for packet writing software such as DirectCD, InCD, or "Drag to Disk" to use the disk like a floppy where you can drag/drop or copy/paste.

The main problem with formatting a CD-R is that it can only be done once and once you fill up the disk with data, even if you've deleted files from it, you can no longer "re-burn" it.. The "space" on the disk can only be copied to one time. The data on a CD-RW disk can be erased and used again..A CD-R can't..
_____________

But in regards to the topic at hand, as you and Kees have requested...we need more information. A standard DVD-Rom will not recognize a blank CD because it was designed to read disks that have data on them...DVD burners, on the other hand, should detect the presence of a blank CD when it is going to burn data to that disk.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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format a CD-R
Dec 26, 2004 6:11AM PST

It is nice to know you can format a CD-R. I doubt I ever use one like that. There are so many other ways to save data, photos, videos, etc., I don't bother formatting anything anymore.

The original poster didn't indicate the drive was a burner. But like we have all posted, more information is required to really help.

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(NT) (NT) Agreed !
Dec 26, 2004 8:13AM PST
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how do you format a cd-r
Jan 8, 2005 3:21AM PST

My computer will not recognize an unformatted cd-r but I don't have a program that will do this. My old computer used to have an adaptec program that would format cd-r's so I would format on the old to use on the new. But, alas, the old one has crashed. Can you help?

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Neena, Two Things Are Needed...
Jan 8, 2005 7:54AM PST

First, you need a drive that will burn CD and CD-RW disks, such as a CD-RW drive or a DVD/DC-RW drive.

Next, you need the software to format and burn CD's. The Adaptec/Roxio software you had before is still around and in a newer version.

You'll need to install the software if you indeed have a drive which will burn CDs. A standard CD-ROM will NOT burn.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Formatting a CD-R
Jan 27, 2005 11:31PM PST

What do you do if you have a CD-RW drive and (Nero)InCD software and a new CD-R which the computer will not recognize? Thanks. John Gauthier

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John, I'd Do This...
Jan 28, 2005 4:02AM PST

...in this order...

1. Try a different brand of CD-R disk..And better yet, a CD-RW disk is better for formatting with InCD..Try a CD-RW disk. Some burners are "picky" about the brand they prefer.

2. If nothing is recognized and you can't format it, then try uninstalling, then reinstalling the Nero software, then update the burner's software/firmware.

3. If none of the above steps fixes the problem, then I would purchase a new CD-RW drive. They are fairly cheap and replacement is easier than fighting with it.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Formatting a CD
Jan 28, 2005 6:38AM PST

Grif: Thank you very much for your assistance. John G.

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dvd rom cant read cd r
Jan 27, 2005 11:37PM PST

because you need a dvd/rw or cd/rw a dvd rom will play disc's but will not copy or write to disc