No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP?

Thanks so much.
Acer insist that the whole computer is sent to them to reinstall any missing
extra software (I wasn't aware that burning software was included in this
growing list), and as my warranty has expired, this would cost me quite a lot
to do.
I'm a single mother, and don't have the resources - is there any free
software on the web that I could download instead?
Thanks again,

"Malke" wrote:

> Another_newbie wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I'm after some advice please.
> > My laptop hard disc died, so I got it fixed at a computer shop, who called
> > Acer and got Windows XP reloaded onto the computer (I have a rego no. stuck
> > under the laptop).
> > Now I don't seem to be able to format any discs (such as CDs or DVDs), or
> > even play a DVD movie on the laptop.
> > The laptop used to burn, format and play CDs & DVDs.
> > I tried using help that explained step by step how to format, but the
> > selection just isn't there on the file menu. Only to erase a disc.
> > Any ideas at all?
> > Thanks so much.
>
> Third-party burning software came preinstalled with your Acer. Install
> that third-party software and you will have the ability to do what you
> want. If you lost the disks you got with the Acer, then either call Acer
> and get the restore disks or go to the store and buy burning software
> and DVD playing software.
>
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
>
 >> Stay informed about: No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP? 

"Another_newbie" wrote in message

> Thanks so much.
> Acer insist that the whole computer is sent to them to reinstall any
> missing
> extra software (I wasn't aware that burning software was included in
> this
> growing list), and as my warranty has expired, this would cost me
> quite a lot
> to do.
> I'm a single mother, and don't have the resources - is there any free
> software on the web that I could download instead?


Did you install a CD/DVD burner drive after you got the Acer computer?
If so, the CD/DVD burning software you need to install came with that
drive that was added after the computer purchase.

Did any Windows install CDs come with the Acer? If not, is there a
hidden partition with the recovery image? What do the computer's
manuals say on how to restore the operating system? You could ask Acer
to send you the recovery or restore CDs necessary to reinstall the
operating system as they are required to provide a means for reinstall.
The computer doesn't need to be under warranty for Acer to send you
install CDs - assuming that CD/DVD burning software was ever provided by
them versus from the maker of the CD/DVD burner drive. Then you don't
have to send your computer anywhere and instead just wait for the CDs to
arrive in the mail during which time you can use your computer for other
tasks (but save any data files before doing the OS restore).

For free CD/DVD burning software, Google for "CDburnerXP Pro". I have
Nero installed because it came with the CD/DVD drive but I also have
CDburnerXP Pro installed and have some limited use of it. Sometimes I
tire of the wizards in Nero.
 >> Stay informed about: No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP? 

"Another_newbie" wrote in message

>
> Thanks very much, I am searching tucows now for some shareware to
> replace
> the Acer extras that are not included when my repair shop rang Acer
> for the
> XP download.
> I can't afford a non-free package.


CDburnerXP Pro is freeware. Shareware lets you try but expects you to
actually PAY for their product. Some rely on your honesty. Others know
that users will steal whenever they have a chance and will expire or
cripple their product after the trial period. If you want something
that continues to work after the trial period then get freeware.
 >> Stay informed about: No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP? 

Thanks so much for this - will go and search for it now - so far, I've had no
luck finding free software that burns and formats!



"Vanguard" wrote:

> "Another_newbie" wrote in message
>
> >
> > Thanks very much, I am searching tucows now for some shareware to
> > replace
> > the Acer extras that are not included when my repair shop rang Acer
> > for the
> > XP download.
> > I can't afford a non-free package.
>
>
> CDburnerXP Pro is freeware. Shareware lets you try but expects you to
> actually PAY for their product. Some rely on your honesty. Others know
> that users will steal whenever they have a chance and will expire or
> cripple their product after the trial period. If you want something
> that continues to work after the trial period then get freeware.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP? 

When you talk about "formatting" a CD you are likely referring to packet
writing software that uses the UDF format. Popular packet writing software
includes products like InCD from Ahead (Nero), or Roxio's Drag To Disc. As
far as I know there is no free packet writing software.

While packet writing software is handy in terms of being able to "format" a
disc and then save directly to that disc like it was a giant floppy there
are problems with it. The biggest problem has to do with the reality that
rewriting continuously to the same disc causes the media to, in a sense,
crystallize. One day you attempt to access the disc and it reports as being
unreadable. Your data will be inaccessible without third party recovery
tools. ISOBuster sometimes works to extract data from a damaged packet
formatted disc. Another problem has to do with the way people handle these
discs. One should always eject the disc after writing to it and not leave
the disc in the drive. Not doing so can cause the disc to become
inaccessible if the VFAT is not written to the disc before the system shuts
down.

--


Harry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"Another_newbie" wrote in message

> Thanks so much for this - will go and search for it now - so far, I've had
> no
> luck finding free software that burns and formats!
>
>
>
> "Vanguard" wrote:
>
>> "Another_newbie" wrote in message
>>
>> >
>> > Thanks very much, I am searching tucows now for some shareware to
>> > replace
>> > the Acer extras that are not included when my repair shop rang Acer
>> > for the
>> > XP download.
>> > I can't afford a non-free package.
>>
>>
>> CDburnerXP Pro is freeware. Shareware lets you try but expects you to
>> actually PAY for their product. Some rely on your honesty. Others know
>> that users will steal whenever they have a chance and will expire or
>> cripple their product after the trial period. If you want something
>> that continues to work after the trial period then get freeware.
>>
>>
 >> Stay informed about: No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP? 

Apologies for the delay in replying. Thank you for this valuable information
- I'm still confused though. The computer won't "read" my unformatted
dvd/cds, but will read formatted ones, so in order to write photographs, etc
(i.e. backing-up) to a CD, or copying movies, how can I do so unless I format
first?
Thanks again!

"Harry Ohrn" wrote:

> When you talk about "formatting" a CD you are likely referring to packet
> writing software that uses the UDF format. Popular packet writing software
> includes products like InCD from Ahead (Nero), or Roxio's Drag To Disc. As
> far as I know there is no free packet writing software.
>
> While packet writing software is handy in terms of being able to "format" a
> disc and then save directly to that disc like it was a giant floppy there
> are problems with it. The biggest problem has to do with the reality that
> rewriting continuously to the same disc causes the media to, in a sense,
> crystallize. One day you attempt to access the disc and it reports as being
> unreadable. Your data will be inaccessible without third party recovery
> tools. ISOBuster sometimes works to extract data from a damaged packet
> formatted disc. Another problem has to do with the way people handle these
> discs. One should always eject the disc after writing to it and not leave
> the disc in the drive. Not doing so can cause the disc to become
> inaccessible if the VFAT is not written to the disc before the system shuts
> down.
>
> --
>
>
> Harry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User]
> www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
>
>
> "Another_newbie" wrote in message
>
> > Thanks so much for this - will go and search for it now - so far, I've had
> > no
> > luck finding free software that burns and formats!
> >
> >
> >
> > "Vanguard" wrote:
> >
> >> "Another_newbie" wrote in message
> >>
> >> >
> >> > Thanks very much, I am searching tucows now for some shareware to
> >> > replace
> >> > the Acer extras that are not included when my repair shop rang Acer
> >> > for the
> >> > XP download.
> >> > I can't afford a non-free package.
> >>
> >>
> >> CDburnerXP Pro is freeware. Shareware lets you try but expects you to
> >> actually PAY for their product. Some rely on your honesty. Others know
> >> that users will steal whenever they have a chance and will expire or
> >> cripple their product after the trial period. If you want something
> >> that continues to work after the trial period then get freeware.
> >>
> >>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP? 

"Another_newbie" wrote in message

> Acer Aspire 1640 purchased in May, 2006. I distinctly remember thinking at
> the time, no windows or discs - does that mean you don't actually own the
> version of windows? I can't keep saying the same thing - there were no
> recovery discs whatsoever.

I bought an Acer F1 desktop about three years ago - there were no disks with
that either. Apparently, when I rang up Acer to get some, I should have been
given the opportunity to create a restore disk at first startup. I wasn't.
After about three months they sent me some out....I used them once, then the
second time (about two years later) they failed. Had a big barney with a
stupid Acer "teccie" who assured me quite seriously that he re-installed
Windows once a MONTH. got nowhere so found someone with an OEM copy of XP
and just copied it.....works fine. Drivers I downloaded from the Acer
website and put onto a CD....
And no you DON'T own Windows - you own a licence to use it.....
 >> Stay informed about: No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP? 

Little wonder your computer can't read a blank disc. Blank discs are
unformatted and need to be formatted before they can be used just a with a
floppy, hard drive or usb drive.

There are basically 2 types of formatting. One is called UDF which packet
writing uses and the other is ISO 9660/Joliet . When you burn data to a disc
using packet writing software you typically format the disc first much like
formatting a floppy, hard drive or USB drive after which you drag and drop
or save files directly to the disc. With the ISO 9660 /Joliet format the
formatting takes place during the CD Writing software's writing process. So
the disc does get formatted either way before data is written. In packet
writing this is a 2 step process whereas with other software like Nero or
Roxio the formatting is done as part of the writing process.

--


Harry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"Another_newbie" wrote in message

> Apologies for the delay in replying. Thank you for this valuable
> information
> - I'm still confused though. The computer won't "read" my unformatted
> dvd/cds, but will read formatted ones, so in order to write photographs,
> etc
> (i.e. backing-up) to a CD, or copying movies, how can I do so unless I
> format
> first?
> Thanks again!
>
> "Harry Ohrn" wrote:
>
>> When you talk about "formatting" a CD you are likely referring to packet
>> writing software that uses the UDF format. Popular packet writing
>> software
>> includes products like InCD from Ahead (Nero), or Roxio's Drag To Disc.
>> As
>> far as I know there is no free packet writing software.
>>
>> While packet writing software is handy in terms of being able to "format"
>> a
>> disc and then save directly to that disc like it was a giant floppy there
>> are problems with it. The biggest problem has to do with the reality that
>> rewriting continuously to the same disc causes the media to, in a sense,
>> crystallize. One day you attempt to access the disc and it reports as
>> being
>> unreadable. Your data will be inaccessible without third party recovery
>> tools. ISOBuster sometimes works to extract data from a damaged packet
>> formatted disc. Another problem has to do with the way people handle
>> these
>> discs. One should always eject the disc after writing to it and not leave
>> the disc in the drive. Not doing so can cause the disc to become
>> inaccessible if the VFAT is not written to the disc before the system
>> shuts
>> down.
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> Harry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User]
>> www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
>>
>>
>> "Another_newbie" wrote in
>> message
>>
>> > Thanks so much for this - will go and search for it now - so far, I've
>> > had
>> > no
>> > luck finding free software that burns and formats!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > "Vanguard" wrote:
>> >
>> >> "Another_newbie" wrote in message
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks very much, I am searching tucows now for some shareware to
>> >> > replace
>> >> > the Acer extras that are not included when my repair shop rang Acer
>> >> > for the
>> >> > XP download.
>> >> > I can't afford a non-free package.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> CDburnerXP Pro is freeware. Shareware lets you try but expects you to
>> >> actually PAY for their product. Some rely on your honesty. Others
>> >> know
>> >> that users will steal whenever they have a chance and will expire or
>> >> cripple their product after the trial period. If you want something
>> >> that continues to work after the trial period then get freeware.
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>
 >> Stay informed about: No disc formatting option in my new Windows XP?