My brother tells me that I need to format my CD-RW before it will work. Yes I have a RW drive. But the CD's are not working for me. Yes I got the RW ones. Using the same drive I am able to write to CD-Rs. The only CD software I have it what came with the system, Adaptec Easy CD Creator. And I can't find any option to "format" the CD. TIA

You must have DirectCD installed, b 4 u can format CDRW. I wuld then use the slow format , not the quick format. Buddy

When i installed my burner software, DirectCD wasnt installed. Only Easy CD creator was installed. I had to reinstall my burner software, then I had to make sure DirecdCD was checked so as it would be installed.

You don't need to format cdrw's to use them with Easy CD creator. They only need to be formatted if you want to use Direct CD. Make sure you aren't trying to burn at a higher speed than what they are rated for. Many cdrw disks are only rated at 4x or less burning speed because the process of writing to them is different than with cdr.

If none of these solves your problem Christo then go to the Easy CD Creator website at www.roxio.com and check out the FAQ page, that usually tells you the answers to most things you encounter.

And while you are there. Download their latest updates for the version of ECDC that came with your machine. The packages that came with the CD-RW are usually backlevel and have a few bugs.

I used a CDRW several times while getting used to saving files etc and I have not formatted any disc unless it's automatic. I have saved JPGS, MPEGS, MP3'S & text files. An earlier post said formatting is for when you want to use 'DIRECT CD' & I have read this is when you want to use the CDRW as a type of 'on the go' HD, ie save bits of info to it as you go along over several days for example. I guess the formatting is so the PC does not over write the already saved info.