Please Help: DVD+RW burned as DVD-ROM issue

Hello CDFreaks, I'm having a problem reusing a DVD+RW once it has been burn as a DVD-ROM. Imgburn will erase the DVD+RW but when I am in write mode the program states "Disk not empty" in the lower left corner and will not let me write to the DVD+RW. Imgage burn also states "current profile: DVD-ROM" Is a DVD+RW useless after it has been written as a DVD ROM? I've tried Nero, imgburn, and DVDInfoPro to erase; Nero doesn't recognize the media as a DVD+RW, imgburn goes through the erase process but still states "Disk not empty", and DVDInfoPro doesn't recognize the media as DVD+RW. I am using Fuji DVD+RW4x, with a Sony DRU-810A writer. I have also tried my Samsung TSST Corp SH-S182M. All firmware and software updates have been applied. Thanks for the help.

Welcome to CD Freaks

Start ImgBurn, then go to: 'Tools' -> 'Drive' -> 'Change booktype...'

Select Samsung tab and in the 'Change for...' drop-down box select "+RW".

Then in lower drop-down box, select "normal"

Press OK.

The disc should then have reverted to +RW booktype and be writeable again.

This one may now be a coaster.See if Windows explorer will erase it.

Thanks for the response imkidd57 and Cholla. I think i have coasters. I tried changing the booktype and imgburn states "OK" once completed, but when I go back to write mode "Disk not empty" still appears. Moving forward - Once I write an AVI image to a DVD+RW and format it as a DVD ROM (so its recognized by most players) will I no longer be able to rewite over? Did I just mess with these DVD's so much that i unknowingly made funiture History: I want to combine many avi shorts i have to a DVD, but from time to time i will want to record new avi files over them. Is this possible with a DVD+RW? I didn't think I was asking for much from the DVD+RW, was I?

Setting the book type likely isn't even necessary. Have you tried the disc without setting it? Of all the DVD players I've used, this has never been an issue. Cheap/incompatible media is the cause of most issues.

Thanks Dogg. I will buy/use different media and if the problem continues...I'll be back.

Once I burn an AVI file to one of my DVD+RW's, the DVD+RW changes to DVD-ROM and renders it useless. I can view the file on a stand alone player, but i can't reuse it Does anyone have an answer as to why? I've tried Alcohol 120, imgburn, Nero 8, and even DVDInfoPro. None of them will make the media reusable. Firmware is up to date.

slow45
Please do not make extra threads concerning the same problem. I've merged your two threads here in the Newbie forum.

Thank Kerry. I would have deleted (closed the thread) if there was the option.

You should be able to erase the disc, format the disc, or simply insert and overwrite it. I use Nero 6 and ImgBurn and typically just reuse the discs. Nero gives an alert that the disc is not blank and asks if it is OK to overwrite.

Yeah, I thought i could "insert and write over it" but no program I use would allow me to perform that function. Last night I reinstalled Apps and tried to "burn over" but I keep getting messages stating " insert blank disk"

Is this an isolated issue? Can everyone else write an AVI file to a DVD+RW and write over it? Is there a way to stop these programs from writing in DVD ROM format?

1. The new (BLank) DVD+RW goes in, Nero then formats and burns the AVI to the DVD
2. The DVD works fine on the stand along player
3. I erase the DVD, or at least go through the process, with Imgburn (nero doesn't give me the option to erase)
4. Nero thinks the media is non-recordable, Imgburn states " Disk not empty"
5. I'm stuck with more fancy rainbow coasters to sell on ebay

Did you try good quality +RW discs as suggested by Dogg above? I am always able to booktype between +RW and ROM with Verbatim discs.

Perhaps our more knowledgeable Samsung experts may be able to tell whether there is a utility to change the firmware bit-setting of your drive to a default of +RW rather than DVD-ROM.

Here's an idea, which *might* help, since I see you have Alcohol installed:

Go into Alcohol's Settings, then go to Emulation, and make sure the option for "Ignore Media Type" is unchecked. This setting in Alcohol, when enabled, can fool burning software into thinking the disc is a DVD-ROM, and thus not writable.

Imkidd57, I started with new Fuji DVD+RW (5pk - all coaster now) and am currently trying Sony DVD+RW (10pk - 2 coaster). I read a good review on the Fuji DVD's, and the Sony. I do not know anything about writer bitsetting so i will research it fully along with my writers. It is most likely a software issue though. I never had this issue...ever. i just have to remember...K.I.S.S.

Arachne, I will try your sugg and report back.

I have the same, idiotical problem on my Plextor PX810-SA drive. But my problem appeared with CD-RW discs - I can't erase them at all. Placed them in my notebook, erased and they are again usable (burnable) with Plextor. Then I got the only available firmware update (1.01), flashed it to the drive, and now i can't erase DVD+RW's too, because of exactly the same problem as you have - the book type is shown as DVD-ROM and disc is not erasable. Now I believe that this really can be a some software issue and i will try my DVD drive in another computer very soon.
Related programs that i have on my computer:
CDex, IMGBurn, Nero 7 Essentials, Daemon tools 4.30 Pro Advanced.

Hi Okys - try this:

Go into Daemon Tools' Settings, and poke around for an option called either "Hide ATIP" or "Hide CDR media" - uncheck the option if it is checked.

Arachne, thanks for the reply. I will try out your suggestion. I am now on another computer with my plextor drive and as a surprise, everything works here. I even CAN erase and rewrite CD-RW's with no problem. Besides, there are Nero 7 and Daemon Tools 4.10 installed. If the "Hide CDR media" will not work on my computer, then I have no ideas what's causing these problems.

Arachne, you can't imagine how much I love you now
This "Hide CD-R" worked for me.
I tried to find the answer everywhere and there it is.
Guys, You are the best, thanks

Hehe, you're welcome, glad to help

Kudos to Arachne

I shouldn't take credit, it's one of the many things I've learned here at CDF