Erasing the contents of DVD-RW

[walter4h]

Hi, guys:
I have to resurrect an old post, as the problem is not solved yet.
There were a few earlier threads about re-using DVD-RW. The answer was that you cannot delete the files on DVD individually, even if they have been recorded as data and can be seen on Explorer, you have to erase the entire DVD.
I burn DVD with DVD Architect, I guess it should be my tool for erasing DVD-RW. A reply to that post suggested to look for an "erase" function. However, I could not find anything of this nature in any of the menus. Help index does not have anything resembling "erase".
Did anyone ever use DVD Architect for erasing contents from the old DVD-RW?
I have access to a few other authoring packages in college, so I may well be able to use an advice on packages other than DVD Architect
Thx: walter

[Josef K]

Hi, guys:
I have to resurrect an old post, as the problem is not solved yet.
There were a few earlier threads about re-using DVD-RW. The answer was that you cannot delete the files on DVD individually, even if they have been recorded as data and can be seen on Explorer, you have to erase the entire DVD.

Correct. You can use any burning app to erase a RW (CD or DVD). Personally I use either Nero or Alcohol. The reason why you can't delete specific files is to do with the way you write your DVDs. Erasing a DVD-Video would involve either a Quick format (erase TOC) or Full format (takes forever).

To be able to delete just specific files like you're asking about, you would have to use intermediate software like InCD. (You'll remember the hype: 'You can use your CDs and DVDs just like a huge floppy...!') Just keep in mind that using packet writing software is evil and also if you use that for burning your authored DVDs, I'm pretty sure your standalone would weep and spit the disc back out at you in disgust.

[walter4h]

Thanks, Joseph:
I was looking for "erase" function, I guess I should be looking for "quick format". I'll do that as soon as my other computer is done with encoding a clip.
walter

[Josef K]

I was looking for "erase" function, I guess I should be looking for "quick format".

If you mean you'll look for this within DVD Architect then I don't think it has one. Bear in mind I only used this a short time to compare with other authoring apps.

If all you want to do is to erase your RW DVDs so you can burn something else onto them, then you might want to try using various freeware apps. IMGTool Burn is about all you'd need and the erase process is available right from the main window. Just make sure 'Quick Erase' is selected, otherwise you might as well go for a long walk while it does its stuff.

[mastersmurfie]

Alternatively, with the DVD-RW in the drive, you could right-click on the DVD-RW drive under "My Computer" and choose "Erase this CD-RW". Works for me every time.

just a thought

mastersmurfie

[Josef K]

...you could right-click on the DVD-RW drive under "My Computer" and choose "Erase this CD-RW"...

You don't switch off burning capabilities within Windows? One of the biggest headaches I had when I first installed XP was caused by the inbuilt burning engine (Roxio... say no more). It caused many a coaster for me before I found out the culprit. I remember no end of 'If I want to burn a CD - I'll use the damn software I bought to do that!!!' rants at my cat.

Perhaps this may also be a factor in walter4h's problem. Since we don't know how new his Windows install is, or his 'techie' level. I wonder if he has XP's burning engine on or off.

[mastersmurfie]

You don't switch off burning capabilities within Windows? One of the biggest headaches I had when I first installed XP was caused by the inbuilt burning engine (Roxio... say no more). It caused many a coaster for me before I found out the culprit. I remember no end of 'If I want to burn a CD - I'll use the damn software I bought to do that!!!' rants at my cat.

Perhaps this may also be a factor in walter4h's problem. Since we don't know how new his Windows install is, or his 'techie' level. I wonder if he has XP's burning engine on or off.

To be completely honest, I have never burned anything through windows (apparently, only erased ).... And I have never had any conflicts (using Nero, burnatonce, CloneCD) burning DVDs or CDs, so I never thought to switch off windows burning capabilities.

just a thought

mastersmurfie

[alstatr]

Josef K

I remember no end of 'If I want to burn a CD - I'll use the damn software I bought to do that!!!' rants at my cat.

You do this too? Cats are great for ranting at. They just give you the "I dont understand or care look" but at least you let out some steam when ranting.

hahahaha, I just thought what you said was funny cause I can relate to your frustration.

I had the same problem (the autoplay problem) when I first had Windows XP, I think service pack 1 fixed this, not sure though...

[Josef K]

You do this too? Cats are great for ranting at. They just give you the "I dont understand or care look" but at least you let out some steam when ranting.

It's when he sits there purring and drooling on my keyboard (yes, he drools buckets) that really makes me think he doesn't listen when I'm conversing with him. Drooling... (Why isn't there an emoticon for 'shudder'?)

I think service pack 1 fixed this, not sure though...

Hmm. Windows... Service Pack... Fixed...? Does not compute...

EDIT: Updated my Computer Details to reflect the impact of having a cat.