Non Allocated space

[skyler]

Having trouble saving data to a cd with Burn Now software. The cd was formated with Direct CD. The computer freezes when trying to access the cd to burn data to it. When doing a check to see what is on the cd it shows a "Non-allocatable space" that I cannot access or delete. What is happening?
Thanks,
Skyler

[Paul Komski]

There are two ways to "format" a CDRW. The "normal" way effectively erases it; the other way, which allows it to be used like a large floppy disk, is called packet writing and the EasyCD Creator version of this is called DirectCD (for Nero it is InCD). In the process of such formatting an area of the disk is set-up for the file system that points to the data. This area is non-allocated to data in the same way that the partition boot sectors and FAT tables are not allocated to the data area of a HDD or FDD. In order to burn "normally" to such a CDRW already formatted for packet writing one would first need to "erase" it. It would then no longer be able to be used like a large floppy by dragging and dropping files directly onto it - and so on.

[skyler]

I had the cd formated on win98 using Direct cd. I needed to use it to save data on a winxp machine so I erased the data on win98. When taking it to winxp I managed to save two files and that's when the Non allocatable space showed up. It wasn't there when I used it in win98.

You stated a "normal" way of formating a cd. Is that using the format command like you would a harddrive? What do I need to do to beable to use this cd as a large floppy again?
Thanks,
Skyler

[Paul Komski]

Either install EasyCD Creator and Direct CD or use BurnNow and its Packet writing software (for Win2K and WinXP) Ulead® UDF Packet Writing (http://www.asiapac.ulead.com/pioneer/runme.htm)