Using DVD-RAM disc under Windows XP
The main advantage of DVD-RAM disc over standard DVD R/RW disc is that it can be used as regular drive storage, something like floppy disk but with huge capacity (4.7 GB). All you need is DVD recorder that supports DVD-RAM (most new ones).
Follow these simple steps to start using DVD-RAM under Windows XP.
First you need to disable Windows XP built in CD writing.
Double click on “My Computer” icon on your desktop. Find your DVD recorder in the list, right click on it and select “Properties”.
Now you need to format DVD ram. Again, right click on your DVD recorder icon in “My Computer” window and click on “Format”.
Format window will appear. For “Volume label” you can put whatever you want.
When you click “Start” button, system will warn you that all data on disc will be erased. Click OK to continue.
Formating can take considerable amount of time. On 5x discs with recorder that supports 5x or higher speed, it will take around 15 minutes. On slower discs it can take up to 45 minutes.
After formating, you can use your DVD-RAM disc as regular floppy disc. You can write, read and delete files with Windows Explorer or any other file manager.
Writing to DVD-RAM disc is slower that writing to standard DVD+-R disc. This is not only because DVD-RAM are usualy only 5x (12x are appearing now), but also hardware data verification is enabled by default. This cuts writing speed in half.
More Information: Removing DVD-RAM disc from cartridge
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Great Information. Couldn’t find this information anywhere else.
Thanks,
September 11th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
nice info, thanks. so you have to cancel the enable cd writing at cd properties.
i really thought before that DVD RAM is the same thing like the RAM hardware in your PC (imagine 4.7 GB of RAM!). now i am not as ignorant as before.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I was glad to find tis info- microsoft are somewhat silent on the subject. I wasn\’t aware that discs required formatting before I read this.
However, I disabled the CD writing as per instructions, but when I try to format I get error message \
April 25th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I have lost the ability to use UDF formatted (RAM) discs like a floppy disc copying files directly to the disc.
I have also discovered that when I right click the CD/DVD-ROM icon the “Format” option is missing, and when I go into properties to alter the auto play actions, “Blank Disc” is missing from the list.
Are They Related? More importantly, how do I correct the problem?
I have unchecked “Enable CD Recording On This Drive” in the Recording Tab, but still no luck.
June 25th, 2008 at 6:16 am
I have also discovered that when I right click the CD/DVD-ROM icon the “Format” option is missing…how do I correct the problem? Thanks,Al