Cannot erase DVD-RW

[terrypin]

I have a DVD-RW on which there was a playable DVD I'd recorded. Today
I tried to re-use it but cannot erase the existing contents. Using
Nero Express I get just the unhelpful message 'Write Error'.

How can I proceed please?

Happy to provide any other details that might help isolate the
problem.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[yoda313]

I guess there is a theoritcal limit to the number of erasers on a rewritable. Has this been used excessively???

Also do you have another burning utility? You might be able to erase it with that. I've had that kind of glitch on a cdrw where one program wouldn't work but another did.

[Sabro]

I've noticed this same exact problem with a few CD-RWs that wouldn't allow you to re-write to them.

About the closest I could figure out is, at some point whoever used them 'closed' the session with whatever program they was using.

Try using a different program from what you originally used to see if you can access the disc again, other then that maybe someone else here has a more definite solution.

Sabro

[mikel]

terrypin,
Give Dvdinfopro a try.
I've used it sucessfully on some of my rewritables.
mikel

ps. you say "recorded"...was it recorded on a standalone set-top box?

[terrypin]

Thanks all, appreciate the suggestions. Will try alternative erase programs.

DVD-RW was recorded with 'authoring program' MemoriesOnTV, I think using Nero burning drivers.

Have just tried erasing an identical DVD-RW (with same type of recording), and that one was OK.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[otpw1]

Been there, done that.
Nero failed but dvddecrypter succeeded. Temporarily.
Eventually (months later) the disc developed "runs" for lack of a better description. They were visible to the naked eye.

[lordsmurf]

RW discs don't last long. SOme can dye in mere months, used or not. I would suggest bad media is one likely scenario, if it's not a simple burner or software proiblem.

[terrypin]

Thanks for those two further replies.

I hadn't thought about the physical aspects, as the disc has probably only been written 4 or 5 times in the 6 months or so since I bought this batch. But looking at it now, there are rather a lot of small (random) scratches on it.

I've installed and run DVD Decrypter. It looks a handy program anyway (although very complex to my eyes!), but doesn't seem to have fixed this problem. I'd appreciate confirmation that I'm using it correctly please.

I load the DVD-RW, then in DVD Decrypter ensure that the correct drive is selected, and use Tools > Drive > Erase Disc > Full. Then I choose DVD-RW, and click OK. (Why is 'Destination: Please select a folder...' Displayed? I have no output in this case, so I've ignored that.)

I then get these messages:
'Erase' (then shows 0% for a while); then 'Initialising' shortly after, followed by 'Disc is Empty'. All of that in under a minute.

If I then repeat the attempt to Erase Disc in Nero Express, I get the same as before: it runs through, apparently erasing to 100%, then gives 'Write Error'.

If I try to write a data file to it with Nero Express, I get 'There is not enough space to burn the compilation onto this disc.' This on a so-called 'empty' disc!

If I look at Disc Info in Nero Express, I get 'Disc is Empty', as DVD Decrypter reported. Isn't that what it should be if it has been erased?

Any further advice from anyone would be appreciated please.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[Dragonsf]

I had the same problems with Media which were stored to hot (> 32 Degree C). They aren't usable anymore. Invest your money and time better in a new batch.

[guns1inger]

terrypin, it is Tools -> Drive ->Erase Disk -> (Full or Quick - you choose)

[terrypin]

terrypin, it is Tools -> Drive ->Erase Disk -> (Full or Quick - you choose)

Thanks, but I'm not sure what question you're answering! I know how to run the operation.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[terrypin]

I had the same problems with Media which were stored to hot (> 32 Degree C). They aren't usable anymore. Invest your money and time better in a new batch.

Thanks. I wouldn't have thought these were ever that hot, but you're right about cutting my losses. I'll order some more

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[lordsmurf]

Be sure to buy good ones. www.nomorecoasters.com

[junkmalle]

I have about 20 DVD+RW discs that have been erased and rewritten dozens, even hundreds of times over the last few years. I find they tend to get scratched long before the dye "wears out" (even when used in my very hot Liteon 2002 DVD/Divx player).

[hhhhbk]

i had the same problem with a verbatim DVD+RW

wrote fine with nero on first use
but then couldnt reuse it with nero
it kept getting stuck midway through burning

i overcame it using alcohol

first create image with nero
then erase dvd+rw disk with alcohol
then burn image with alcohol

[R55B]

terrypin:

Nero seems to have difficulty with certain media. Try this link for a recommendation:

http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic18111.html