need a program for formatting DVD's

[kcbass]

Just bought a memorex external dvd drive, and it came with nero smart start/express software, but I need a free program that can format dvd's for image burning through win 98/2000/xp. Any suggestions? 

 

[HN]

you want to erase the data on the RW's?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Any burning program can erase the data from a +RW or -RW. Alternatively, I think Nero's CD/DVD Speed (it's free) can also do it.

 

[kcbass]

no, they're blank dvd-r's, but I need them formatted in order to create an image from arconis true image. According to their user manual, true image will only burn the image, not format the disc.... 

 

[MustISO]

There is no formatting for DVD-R unless it's for packet writing.

 

[kcbass]

I'm new to dvd burning myself, but here's what arconis has to say about burning dvd images with their software (which is what I'm trying to do)...:

"How can I use Acronis True Image 8.0 to write the images directly to DVD disks?
Acronis True Image 8.0 is capable of writing to a DVD disk in Windows if UDF packet DVD-writing software is installed, and the DVD disk is formatted. We currently support the following packet DVD-writing software:

Roxio Drag To Disc ? an optional part of Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator
Ahead InCD ? is available for free on the Nero site for Ahead Nero users (and usually is shipped with Nero)
Veritas DLA and all its OEM versions (e.g. HP DLA)
Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD
In general we also support other UDF packet DVD-writing software, but the four above are most popular and they have been tested and approved by Acronis.

To make the DVD disk writeable in Acronis True Image, the user should do the following:

Install UDF packet DVD-writing software.
Format the DVD disks. DVD+RW and DVD-RW disks can be formatted by any of the applications mentioned above, while DVD+R at this moment can be formatted only by Roxio Drag To Disc.
Next, start Acronis True Image 8.0, insert the formatted DVD disk into the DVD+RW or DVD-RW drive and create an image.
The images from the DVD disk can be restored both in Windows and when Acronis True Image 8.0 is started from bootable disks.
There is also a two-step method for writing to DVDs. Acronis True Image 8.0 can create an image of the hard disk as a single file on the hard disk itself, and then you can copy the file using your own DVD-writing software to the DVD. We recommend you to set the image archive splitting size to 2,000 MBytes on the Image Archive Splitting screen, as generally the maximum size of a file stored on DVD is 2 GBytes. The Acronis rescue disk will also be able to restore this file from the DVD if necessary."

Any help on how to go about this would be appreciated. 

 

[BlueWeasel]

Uggg...I wouldn't bother installing packet-writing software. I'd either do one of the following:

1) Use Acronis for Windows to create the bootable CD. Boot off the CD and burn the DVD from there if possible
2) If #1 can't be done, just set the splitting size as described above, and then burn the individual images to DVD using your burning program.

 

[Traire]

If you didnt get a full copy of Nero or Roxio, I would consider buying a copy. Generally that kind of program is not free, or the program is loaded with adware/spyware. Also you will need DVD+-RW type media, as this type of burning will not work with DVD-R or DVD+R media

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Packet writing is supported for DVD-R. I would imagine that DVD+R is the same although I've never tested that.

 

[kcbass]

hmm....ok, well what would you guess would be the simplest way to handle this? We're more or less trying to come up with an "automated" way of backing up 50+ workstations to one DVD image per workstation with an external dvd burner. 

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Is there no additional HD partition where you can store the image? That would save time and headache.

 

[kcbass]

no, all these machines are a single hard drive, and most still run win98....not enough server space for even half of them