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

[hamishmacdonald]

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!

[Richard Urban]

I can't say that I have this issue, nor have I personally ever seen it.

I also do not use the built in burning capabilities. For the past 10 years I
have been using Roxio's Drag-To-Disk. This is perfect for those such as
myself who use the drive specifically for data backups and file storage.

Because Dell has been having so much trouble with the software they supply
as part of their package, Dell has placed a stand alone copy of the latest
version of Drag-To-Disk on their web site for download. It doesn't check as
to whether, or not, you have a Dell computer. It installed fine on my home
built computers and runs fine.

[Richard Urban]

No. There is no charge for this, as in free. And any way, I have 5 previous
versions of Easy CD Creator, Easy Media Creator etc. - going back to version
5.

It was placed there because Roxio found that there were problems - a lot of
problems. You can also get it from the Roxio web site but the Dell one is
easier to find.

[hamishmacdonald]

Yes, um, well, apologies, but I didn't receive that software with my PC, so
it's not what I was asking about. In fact, I received the Nero suite, version
6, which is excellent, but doesn't run under Vista, and I was really hoping
to just use the native applications. If only they worked.

I've successfully made a DVD in Windows DVD Maker, but it's the shell
applications that don't want to work. They fail at the point of formatting
the disk.

What I was saying is that you can use Drag-To-Disk to treat the DVD disk
just as a hard drive. It is your choice whether you want to rid yourself of
Nero - which doesn't seem to be working.

Have the time or running bootleg version of Vista?

[Kirk]

When I got my new pc it had a Samsung DVD burner and a Nero 6 CD came along
with it. I made my way to the Samsung site, just poking around for the specs
of the drive, and I found a link for a FREE upgrade to Nero 7 (vista
compatible) from the Nero website. I installed Nero 7 after they emailed me
my registration code and it seems to work fine.
Just thought I would mention that.....

[hamishmacdonald]

Oh, now that's helpful! (re: the upgrade to Nero 7, 'cause my computer came
with a Samsung drive and the Nero disks).

Drag-and-dropping in the shell doesn't work, because the first thing the
system wants to do (tells me it has to do) is format the disk. And then it
fails to do that.

I'll go see if I can find that Nero upgrade link. Thanks!

I'm not sure if this was a question to me, but no, my copy of Vista is a
legitimate copy of Vista Home Premium.

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

[BalRocket61]

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!

[BalRocket61]

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!!!!!!!!!

[cplspls]

A have a similar problem with my hp vista business. It cannot complete format of cd's and dvd 's. Thus am unable to write disks with my nero, roxio or imgburn. Kindly help.