| [XP Home] Win media 2003 w/XP sp2 DVD free space? Why does Explore indicate 0 bytes free on a new DVD +R or on a DVD -RW? The drive will play DVDs OK and I can write to it OK. I used it to create a ISO backup on this HP9009.
I've searched the sites I frequent without answers. 
Thanks, PP |
|
 RexterYeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9 | This is an overly simplistic explanation, that is probable not 'technically' correct. But it will help you understand, none the less.
DVDs/CDs are formatted as you go. So if you send 1GB of data to a DVD-r, it will show 1GB available, 0 bytes free. If you send 600 MB to a CD, it will show 600 MB available, 0 bytes free. Now on the other hand, if you format a cd-rw and are using some sort of "drag, and burn" utility, you will see free space available, and being consumed just like a HD.
Were you having a specific problem, or just curious?
--
With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
|
| Thanks Rexter,
You answered the primary issue in that when I would use explorer/properties to see the amount of space available, I would always see 'zero' in the 'pie chart'. Now I know why.
2nd question: am I to assume that even though after I've written to the CD +R or -R and it shows zero space remaining, I can continue to write to it until it is actually full? And does this apply to a DVD +r -r also? Or is it a one time thing and you can not add files as one does with other media?
Thanks again! PP
[maybe this is better asked in the audio/video forum as I've just discovered it existed?] |
|
RexterYeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9 | In short, yes, but there are certain requirements. Optical drives write data onto the disc in sessions. Each session starts with a lead in, that contains a Table of contents for the entire disc, including any information that was in the TOC of a previous session. The TOC also contains the starting address of the remaining free space, but only if the disc was left open when you burned the session. If you close or finalize the disc, the final TOC indicates that there is no additional free space. Once you've finalized the disc, the remaining space will be inaccessible.
--
With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
|
|
|
