DVD-RW Continues formatting in background notification

infernoprime · Aug 26, 2023

I bought some Verbatim DVD-RW's the other day and tried burning some backups of some files. I was able to format the disc perfectly fine but a few minutes later I get a box on the lower right that says windows will continue formatting the disc in the background. I come on today and all my files on the disc are gone!!! How long is this format supposed to take? When I formatted the discs before, it would never take this long.

I have never had this happen on any other brand discs or any other version on windows. Please tell me this can be either turned off or fixed.

Winuser · Aug 26, 2023

Back in my DVD burning days I don't remember having to format a DVD-RW. What program are you using to burn the DVD-RW with.

Edit: You can try searching on this forum. VideoHelp Forum

Flashorn · Aug 26, 2023

OK, stupid question. Why did you need to format the drive.
Was the drive new or was there some files on it before that
needed to be erased?
Usually DVD-RW already come formatted and do not need to be
formatted unless files were to be erased.

infernoprime · Aug 26, 2023

Winuser said:
Back in my DVD burning days I don't remember having to format a DVD-RW. What program are you using to burn the DVD-RW with.

Edit: You can try searching on this forum. VideoHelp Forum

I use windows because I format the disc like a usb drive so I can just delete or swap files out.

Flashorn said:
OK, stupid question. Why did you need to format the drive.
Was the drive new or was there some files on it before that
needed to be erased?
Usually DVD-RW already come formatted and do not need to be
formatted unless files were to be erased.

Windows would not let me do anything with the disc unless I had selected how to format the disc first.

Ghot · Aug 26, 2023

infernoprime said:
I have never had this happen on any other brand discs

I use Verbatim CD's and DVD's exclusively... they don't require formatting.

SIW2 · Aug 26, 2023

I have only used virtual dvd-rw and windows formats them. I don't remember using a physical dvd-rw can't be bothered finding a dvd drive and plugging it in.

Spunk · Aug 26, 2023

New CD, DVD-RW discs come Pre-Formatted. If you want to use a previously used RW disc, you must Format it.
It should finish within minutes unless the disc has an issue. When you copy files to an RW disc, you must Finalize the disc in the Burning software before ejecting it, or the files will not be visible on the disc. Unlike DVD+-RW discs, DVD+-R discs can only be used once. If a burn fails, you just throw the disc away.We suggest using +-R burn once discs.
If you want to save files to an external device edit them, add to it, or erase it, you are better off using a USB Flash Drive.

However, These should not be used for long term storage, just for transferring files to another computer. Long term storage should be a USB HDD or Cloud Service.

infernoprime · Aug 26, 2023

The main issue I am trying to fix here is to stop windows from doing the formatting in the background after I have already done it.

I am aware about the finalizing process if I need to go through that I use imgburn instead of windows. I do not use usb because of its lifetime and I prefer not to use the cloud.

Spunk · Aug 26, 2023

Format the disc using the Burning software program you are using. If not using one, try CDBurner XP Or your favorite burning app. With a blank RW disc in the drve, start the app, a wizard appears. Chose Data Disc. Now go up to the toolbar to Disc/Erase Disc. It should just take a few minutes at most. Unless the disc is damaged, it that case, just throw it away and use another disc. Then you can add files in the bottom pane of this window, when ready click the Burn icon. There should be an option to Finalize the disc after burning.

Obviously, it is much easier to use burn once +-R disc then +-RW discs.

I just realized you are trying to make set of System Image DVD's

Windows 7 System Image creation to DVD-R's just turns my discs into Christmas decorations - should it work?

I'm trying to create a Windows 7 System Image to DVD-R and very few minutes (about 7) it keeps getting me to insert another new disc, but even though there's no error given I think it's not actually

superuser.com

If you need to erase, add or edit files on disc frequently, we suggest using a Flash drive. If making a System Image, we suggest using a USB HDD.
Also, you might find it easier if you use a 3rd party System Imaging app like Macrium Reflect

infernoprime · Aug 26, 2023

Spunk said:
Format the disc using the Burning software program you are using. If not using one, try CDBurner XP Or your favorite burning app. With a blank RW disc in the drve, start the app, a wizard appears. Chose Data Disc. Now go up to the toolbar to Disc/Erase Disc. It should just take a few minutes at most. Unless the disc is damaged, it that case, just throw it away and use another disc. Then you can add files in the bottom pane of this window, when ready click the Burn icon. There should be an option to Finalize the disc after burning.

Obviously, it is much easier to use burn once +-R disc then +-RW discs.

If you need to erase, add or edit files on disc frequently, we suggest using a Flash drive

I understand this but, why does windows 11 continue to format the disc in the background is this an error with the disc or do you not know?

Spunk · Aug 26, 2023

Did you try a different disc?

infernoprime · Aug 26, 2023

Spunk said:
Did you try a different disc?

Yes, I tried a Sony DVD+RW that I have been using for years and windows 11 never gave me a notification about formatting it in the background like I am describing.

Spunk · Aug 26, 2023

OK, why do you keep struggling with the same disc? Get another Sony DVD+RW disc. Not every brand of disc is compatible with your burner drive. Find a brand that works for you and stick with it.

infernoprime · Aug 26, 2023

Well, I have no more Sony discs, only some that I burnt a long time ago that are still good. And considering all the garbage that is going on, I am having trouble trying to find a brand that actually has some quality to it.

Ghot · Aug 26, 2023

Psst... Verbatim is the "good stuff". ^^

Windows is probably confused because you told it to "format" a DVD.
Windows thinks it's a drive or USB stick, and it isn't.

In the future... tell it to "erase" the disc... not format it.

Helmut · Aug 26, 2023

The method you are using is unreliable (Live file system) i.e. Packet writing to a CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW.
That involves formatting the disc first.

I found this out by experience around 15 years ago which is why I have never used those methods since. Unfortunately Windows still has that option.
The discs can be erased, so no worries, except discs do have a limited lifetime.

The most reliable way is to write the whole thing as a Data disc each time (Mastered), erase it for updating and writing the whole disc again.

For what you want to do you are better off using flash drives, HDD/SSD.

"I do not use usb because of its lifetime "
RW discs have a limited time to retain the ability to re-write, again experience suggests about 5-10 years max.
Multiple disc usage for an image just won't work.

"Sony DVD+RW"
I have a couple of boxes of those, no better than any mid quality Optical Discs.

Spunk · Aug 26, 2023

You have already found a brand that works. You can buy more Sony Discs on Ebay Sony DVD+RW discs for sale | eBay

BrianInEngland · Aug 27, 2023

Have you thought about using a DVD-RAM drive? These work differently and can be read/re-written to like a USB drive.

bobkn · Aug 27, 2023

BrianInEngland said:
Have you thought about using a DVD-RAM drive? These work differently and can be read/re-written to like a USB drive.

Joke?

DVD-RAM - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

If this is correct, DVD-RAM media production ended in 2019.

Winuser · Aug 27, 2023

Helmut said:
The method you are using is unreliable (Live file system) i.e. Packet writing to a CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW.
That involves formatting the disc first.

I found this out by experience around 15 years ago which is why I have never used those methods since. Unfortunately Windows still has that option.
The discs can be erased, so no worries, except discs do have a limited lifetime.

The most reliable way is to write the whole thing as a Data disc each time (Mastered), erase it for updating and writing the whole disc again.

For what you want to do you are better off using flash drives, HDD/SSD.

"I do not use usb because of its lifetime "
RW discs have a limited time to retain the ability to re-write, again experience suggests about 5-10 years max.
Multiple disc usage for an image just won't work.

"Sony DVD+RW"
I have a couple of boxes of those, no better than any mid quality Optical Discs.

Mid quality is about the best one can do when it comes to CD or DVD media. With the price of storage drives today, more and more users are getting away from CDs and DVDs.