How do you format a read only CD?

Question

Is is even possible, it has to be...

Okay, I burned like just a folder with a small small file in it and I really want to burn something else in it. But I put it only as read only, so I'm trying to get rid of it and burn something else. So is there a way to just re-format the CD cause I really don't want to waste it...

Answer 1

Well... if it's a read only cd... you can't format it. Hence the name READ ONLY.


With that said, if the disc is a CD-RW (Re-Writable) you will be able to erase the disc and write different conent to it. If you're using Windows XP, it has built in CD Burning features. You can get to them from the My Computer Window once a CD-RW is inserted into the compuer.


Hope this helps... my $0.02

Answer 2

A CD-R (read only) does not have to be formatted. You can write to it without formatting it. It is formatted as part of copying files to it. Once you have written to the CD and closed it, it can be read, but not written to any more.

You do however have to format CD-RW disk is you want to use them as "rewritable". It can be written to again and again. If you do not format it, it will work exactly like a CD-R instead.

Answer 3

you don't really format it in the traditional sense, but when you burn a data CD, it does write something called a lead-in which contains the TOC (table of contents) and some other info. The source URL has more details.

Answer 4

Only CD-RW are allowed to format. CD-R's are designed to write only once. If you are using a CD-R, there's no need to format it. SImply, start using it.

Answer 5

There's no need. The cd is formated when you move data/media to it.

Answer 6

if it's a blank...you format it when you burn your data to it...write once, read many

Answer 7

You don't. That's what "read only" means. It needs to be a Re-Writable.