cd re-writer question

[rfeenie]

simple question : can you re-use a RW disk from scratch or does it only allow a write from the previous session ?? If in doubt get the Ball Pein Hammer out

 

[Comtech]

CD-RW are just that, read/writable disks. Your software that came with the CDRW should have a CD-RW formatting utility, to allow you to "packet write", that is, use the same type of writing as using Explorer, once the disk is formatted, you can just drop files on it in Explorer to write them, just like a HD.
If you've finished a session (but not closed the disk), then you can continue writing to it in another session.
If you've "closed" the disk, then it's treated as a read only disk, and you'll have to reformat it to write any more material to it. Cheers,
Jim
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[vctoria]

rewritable disks have to be formatted for sure, as opposed to usable right out of the package for writable disks.

if you are using adaptec products for rewritable, the software is called direct cd.

vctoria[PM] ~read the instructions? instructions???!? whats that?!?~

 

[greatwhite]

CD-RWs do not require formatting. Formatting is only needed when you desire to use the CD in the same way as a floppy disk or a hard drive, being able to copy in Explorer via Direct CD software. You can use a CD-RW with the Adaptec Easy CD Creator software in exactly the same way you write to a CD-R.

The answer to your question Rfeenie is yes, you can reuse the CD-RW from scratch. If you use Adaptec software for your CD Writer drive then the application you would want to use to erase the information(or the Direct CD formatting) from your CD-RW disk is the CD-RW Eraser application that comes packaged with Direct CD and Easy CD Creator. You can usually find the shortcut to this application in the Direct CD folder of your Start/Programs list. Once you have erased the CD you are free to either format it for Direct CD or copy new information in Easy CD Creator just as if the disk was brand new.

Greatwhite, HP Pavilion Phone Technician