Can't format DVD-RAMs on Toshiba DR-6

[md7899]

Hi,

I have some Maxell DVD-RAMs that were formatted and used on a Toshiba DR-4. However when I put them into the Toshiba DR-6 recorder the only option I have is to play them.

I don't have access to the DR4 anymore. According to Toshiba's site the DR6 is supposed to be able to record on RAMs. I tried formatting one of the discs in the computer but the recorder just gave an "unable to read disc" error message.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a way to format the RAM discs b/c I'd like to use them to record on the DR6.

TIA.

[DereX888]

I had this problem many times, specially with discs received from overseas (somehow discs recorded in euro models are always automatically locked, while it is rarely the case on discs sent from Asia - or so I noticed).

Reformatting them on a computer always solved the problem.
To do this your computer dvd drive must be RAM-writing capable (unfortunately very few are, mostly Panasonic and LG only).
If yours isn't, try to find someone who has one among your friends.
Full formatting is rather slow even on 6x RAMs, and its much slower on older 1x-2x discs, unless youre lucky and you can quick-format them.
Also I dont remember well, but there was some issue with XP (I think by default it doesn't give you choices and formats them in FAT or NTFS instead of UDF, IIRC, but maybe Im wrong). Personally I always use W2K and Panasonic's DVD-RAM driver on LG Multi drives (I don't buy any other drives for personal use for years already).

[md7899]

Hi,

Thanks for replying.

I did try formatting the RAM disks in a DVD-RAM computer drive using WinXP. The dvd recorder gives an "unable to read disc error". Don't have access to Win 2K.

[DereX888]

Hi,

Thanks for replying.

I did try formatting the RAM disks in a DVD-RAM computer drive using WinXP. The dvd recorder gives an "unable to read disc error". Don't have access to Win 2K.

I mentioned that you have to pay attention in which file format your XP will format the disc; it cannot be FAT nor NTFS, it has to be UDF if you want to use such disc in standalone recorder.

Maybe someone else can help you format it in UDF on XP...
I remember Nero has an UDF-capable utility called InCD, but I'm at work now and don't have access to Nero nor WinXP ATM, so I can't tell you any exact details.
If you have Nero open it up, find InCD, and see does it give you a choice of formatting RAM in UDF.

[md7899]

Hi DereX,

I formatted on the computer using format type UDF 2.0 and I'd checked the "execute physical format" box. This was all done in Win XP. I don't have Nero.

Thanks again for replying.

[piano632]

You didn't say if you tried to format the RAM discs on the new recorder. There should be an option in the recorder menu to format the disc. If that doesn't work, you can also try erasing the discs with InCD then let the recorder format them.

I don't think any recorder will accept any disc formatted on a PC or even another brand/model of recorder. So if you have InCD installed, just right-click on the drive letter where the RAM disc is and select InCD Erase, then put in the recorder and let the recorder do the formatting.

[DereX888]

Hi DereX,

I formatted on the computer using format type UDF 2.0 and I'd checked the "execute physical format" box. This was all done in Win XP. I don't have Nero.

Thanks again for replying.

Great!
So I assume your disc now works in your standalone recorder?

I don't think any recorder will accept any disc formatted on a PC or even another brand/model of recorder.

I always format all RAMs on a PC with Panasonic's (Matsushita actually) DVD-RAM Format Tool
Never had any problem with such formatted discs on any computers or standalone recorders.

[md7899]

Hi DereX,

I formatted on the computer using format type UDF 2.0 and I'd checked the "execute physical format" box. This was all done in Win XP. I don't have Nero.

Thanks again for replying.

Great!
So I assume your disc now works in your standalone recorder?

No it still doesn't work in the stand alone recorder. When I put it in I get the "unable to read disc error message" and the option for formatting discs is greyed out.

My computer didn't come with any RAM formatting software just a DVD-RAM drive

I'll see if I can get a copy of the InCD software and try that.

[DereX888]

Hi DereX,

I formatted on the computer using format type UDF 2.0 and I'd checked the "execute physical format" box. This was all done in Win XP. I don't have Nero.

Thanks again for replying.

Great!
So I assume your disc now works in your standalone recorder?

No it still doesn't work in the stand alone recorder. When I put it in I get the "unable to read disc error message" and the option for formatting discs is greyed out.

My computer didn't come with any RAM formatting software just a DVD-RAM drive

I'll see if I can get a copy of the InCD software and try that.

So you used XP's built-in app to format it in UDF and it didnt work...
My guess would be that it doesn't format in a "multimedia" version of UDF (2.5 / 2.6) but one of the older versions (probably 2.0 since 2.5+ were defined couple years after WinXP's release).
Check your recorder's specs what exact version of UDF it uses; I would say it needs most likely 2.5 (unless its one of the older Panasonic models then it goes with 2.01) but best is to consult your manual before you waste time formatting disc in wrong UDF version.

Another idea (beside trying InCD - which Im not even sure does it have options to choose UDF version of your choice) is to use what I use (Matsushita's DVD-RAM tools, part of Panasonic DVD-RAM driver for Windows 2000) since WinXP is basically a Win2000 with all updates built-in and extra bloat in user interface, so IMHO it should work fine on XP as well.