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Windows XP can only burn read-only files to CD-RW media/discs. How can I edit the files and save them back to the disc?

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CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive/writer problem: I want to edit files that I Burn to CD-RW discs but Windows XP only burns read-only files

I have an LG CD/DVD writer in a system running Windows XP Home, fully updated with the SP3 service pack installed. When I use the facility that is built into Windows XP to burn (save) data to CD-RW discs, the recorded files are read-only and therefore cannot be edited. I want to know if there's a way of saving data files so that they can be edited and then saved back to disc.

Answer

Windows XP does not support writing/burning to recordable DVD discs (DVD-R/DVD+R and DVD-RW/DVD+RW discs). Unfortunately, the CD-writing software that is part of Windows XP Home edition only supports the creation of read-only files. You have to edit the data file or image on the hard drive with a word-processing/photo-editing application and then save the changed copy to the disc. Very probably Microsoft did not want to muscle in on too many areas of software development in order to give third-party developers a chance.

You can write data to CD-RW and DVD-RW/DVD+RW discs without having to format them. You just burn the files to them using your disc-burning software as you would to a CD-R or DVD-R/DVD+R disc. If you edit a file that has previously been saved to a CD-RW disc and then reburn it to the disc, the software will ask you if you want the original file replaced. If you do, it renders the previous copy inaccessible and saves the new copy. The previous copy is still on the disc taking up space, but only the new version can be acccessed. However, with re-recordable (RW) CD and DVD discs, you can erase the all of the files and thereby create a blank disc that can be reused up to 1,000 times.

If you want to use a CD-RW (or DVD-RW/DVD+RW/DVD-RAM disc) in the same way as you would use a floppy disk, you have to format it by using a disc-burning program. Windows 7 provides disc-burning software, but there are many excellent free third-party tools, such as CDBurnerXP Pro from cdburnerxp.se. Note that you should always read the information that is provided during the installation process or free software in order to avoid installing unwanted software, toolbars, etc. This program has the option to install a toolbar that you have to opt into, but with others you have to opt out or the third-party software is installed.

Just as a floppy disk has to be formatted (like a hard drive) before it can be used to save edited files, re-recordable optical discs have to be formatted. The disc has to have a file system in order to be used like a floppy disk. The file system is added during the formatting. All of the latest paid-for disc-burning programs, such as Nero (even Nero Express) will allow you to format CD-RW and DVD-RW/DVD+RW/DVD-RAM discs.

How do you format a CD-RW? -

http://www.ehow.com/how_4885160_format-cd-rw.html

The third-party disc-burning software that you install that allows you to use CD-RW (and DVD-RW/DVD+RW/DVD-RAM) discs as if they were floppy disks will probably do the following itself, but just in case it does not, you should disable the built-in Windows CD-burning software. Doing this avoids any conflicts that may arise between the two programs. The service is called the imapi CD-writing service, and it's disabled in the Control Panel under Administrative Tools => Computer Management => Services.

Note that you should use the same burning program (e.g. ImgBurn) to burn data to a particular recordable CD/DVD disc. If you change programs, you can run into problems, such as not being able to do anything but read the files. You should also not change the name originally given to the disc, because the files burned to the original name will not be accessible when the disc is renamed.

Note also that packet-writing to CD or DVD discs, which is the process involved, is dependent on the life of the disc (the number of times data can be expected to be written to it).

Usually the quoted estimates of average writing to a CD-RW and DVD-RW/DVD+RW disc are 1,000 times. However, note that the table of contents (TOC) on the disc may get written to more than once per session. Twice per day gives you 500 days of use, which is less than two years. After that the ability to write to the disc starts to fail and problems arise.

That is why DVD rewriteable discs, whether -RW or +RW, are not favoured for long-term reliable storage. DVD-RAM is a much more reliable disc format for long term use in the same way as a floppy disk, because a disc can be rewritten over 100,000 times . Moreover, the discs have built-in error control and a defect management system. In order to use it, a DVD writer must support the DVD-RAM format. The discs are more expensive than DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs.