Format CDRW Failure: "Windows was unable to complete the format"

Running Vista Ultimate x64 w/ SP1 and I'm getting this error when attempting
to format a CDRW. I found a hotfix that was included in SP1 that was
supposed to fix this very problem, but obviously it doesn't. I couldn't find
a newer hotfix, so I figured I'd ask here if anyone knew of a solution.

On Sat, 6 Dec 2008 16:09:00 -0800, Escher
<Escher@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Running Vista Ultimate x64 w/ SP1 and I'm getting this error when attempting
>to format a CDRW. I found a hotfix that was included in SP1 that was
>supposed to fix this very problem, but obviously it doesn't. I couldn't find
>a newer hotfix, so I figured I'd ask here if anyone knew of a solution.

Why do you think you need to format it?

PJ White

You do not need to format a CDRW disc. That is why the error

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"Escher" <Escher@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:17D54AEB-10F8-43A4-AC1A-A9175562B7B6@microsoft.com...
> Running Vista Ultimate x64 w/ SP1 and I'm getting this error when attempting
> to format a CDRW. I found a hotfix that was included in SP1 that was
> supposed to fix this very problem, but obviously it doesn't. I couldn't find
> a newer hotfix, so I figured I'd ask here if anyone knew of a solution.

The only time a CDRW has to be formatted is if you are using it with packet
writing software (not a part of Vista). Then the disk will appear to act
just like a hard drive, allowing you to add individual files and delete
individual files.

If you use such packet writing software you format the disk through the
utility that comes with such software. You do NOT format using what comes
with Vista.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Escher" <Escher@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:17D54AEB-10F8-43A4-AC1A-A9175562B7B6@microsoft.com...
> Running Vista Ultimate x64 w/ SP1 and I'm getting this error when
> attempting
> to format a CDRW. I found a hotfix that was included in SP1 that was
> supposed to fix this very problem, but obviously it doesn't. I couldn't
> find
> a newer hotfix, so I figured I'd ask here if anyone knew of a solution.

I seem to recall being able to do this previously in XP though. What I'm
trying to do is set my father up with a CDRW that he can use to add & edit
documents to without having to burn new CDR discs. He refuses to put the
documents on the hard drive (don't ask me why) and had been using a floppy
disk until it finally died on him. This of course caused much grief, for him
and me!

"Richard Urban" wrote:

> The only time a CDRW has to be formatted is if you are using it with packet
> writing software (not a part of Vista). Then the disk will appear to act
> just like a hard drive, allowing you to add individual files and delete
> individual files.
>
> If you use such packet writing software you format the disk through the
> utility that comes with such software. You do NOT format using what comes
> with Vista.
>
> --
>
> Richard Urban
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Desktop Experience
>
>
> "Escher" <Escher@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:17D54AEB-10F8-43A4-AC1A-A9175562B7B6@microsoft.com...
> > Running Vista Ultimate x64 w/ SP1 and I'm getting this error when
> > attempting
> > to format a CDRW. I found a hotfix that was included in SP1 that was
> > supposed to fix this very problem, but obviously it doesn't. I couldn't
> > find
> > a newer hotfix, so I figured I'd ask here if anyone knew of a solution.
>
>

If the previous XP computer was store bought it may have had Roxio or Nero
incorporated into it by the computer manufacturer. Many did.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Escher" <Escher@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:42D8964F-B513-4485-8F02-0ABBBA7724A9@microsoft.com...
>I seem to recall being able to do this previously in XP though. What I'm
> trying to do is set my father up with a CDRW that he can use to add & edit
> documents to without having to burn new CDR discs. He refuses to put the
> documents on the hard drive (don't ask me why) and had been using a floppy
> disk until it finally died on him. This of course caused much grief, for
> him
> and me!
>
> "Richard Urban" wrote:
>
>> The only time a CDRW has to be formatted is if you are using it with
>> packet
>> writing software (not a part of Vista). Then the disk will appear to act
>> just like a hard drive, allowing you to add individual files and delete
>> individual files.
>>
>> If you use such packet writing software you format the disk through the
>> utility that comes with such software. You do NOT format using what comes
>> with Vista.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Richard Urban
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Desktop Experience
>>
>>
>> "Escher" <Escher@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:17D54AEB-10F8-43A4-AC1A-A9175562B7B6@microsoft.com...
>> > Running Vista Ultimate x64 w/ SP1 and I'm getting this error when
>> > attempting
>> > to format a CDRW. I found a hotfix that was included in SP1 that was
>> > supposed to fix this very problem, but obviously it doesn't. I
>> > couldn't
>> > find
>> > a newer hotfix, so I figured I'd ask here if anyone knew of a solution.
>>
>>