OOF! DVD Backup Problems :(

OMG. I'm trying to use TDK DVDs to backup data to free space off my hard drives. I thought I knew how these worked but maybe you can help. First, here's what's on the front of the DVDs I'm using. Left side says TDK|DVD+R. The right side of the DVD says |1-16x|4.7GB|RW. I'm pretty sure the RW means rewrite right? Windows 7 will let me burn a file, say, 2gigs worth (as a "thumb drive").

If I go into my computer and try to format the disc, it warns it will erase all information on the disc click yes or no. When yes is clicked, it goes through the motions, the line goes from left to right showing the status of the format. The format DOES delete the data, but DOES NOT free the space. So I can open the folder, see nothing on the disc, but 2GB is still taken up on the disc....WTF? Does anyone know why this is happening? I can't tell if Windows is being stupid, or if I'm being stupid lol


I notice at the top of the window it says capacity is 2.57 but it doesn't give me an option to change that. When I format it leaves 2.56, 2.57, or 2.58 GB free on the DVD. I'm going to reboot into Vista and see if it does the same thing...

[QUOTE=Victek;499696]

TheSeawulf said:

First, here's what's on the front of the DVDs I'm using. Left side says TDK|DVD+R. The right side of the DVD says |1-16x|4.7GB|RW. I'm pretty sure the RW means rewrite right?

.
It's confusing that the disc has both +R and RW on it.

I know, i considered it may not be an rw, but (and to also answer the above question) BOTH windows AND a free cd dvd burner software allowed the disc to be erased. but neither one gave me back the original space. they just deleted the files. I've apparently ruined 3 discs already trying. I think you guys might be right though. bad discs?

I think I'll just use them as regular old DVDs and burn the data to the discs. I won't expect to ever get them erased lol. Better the discs than windows tho!!

Thanks for bouncing ideas.