Computer newbies forum: how to make a disc a blank cd again

There are different types. Most common and cheapest one people use is CDR which you basically cannot modify or rewrite over existing file. If you want one that you can format, buy the CDR-W type.

Hi, yes the answer perhaps is to use good quality CD-RW's, however, I use Ashampoo Burning studio and it allows you to keep adding files to a CDR disc until it is full, it is able to do this because it does not "Close " the disk which most burning programs do, it's not necessarily the easiest way of recording & you may not be able to just play it in an ordinary player/Car CD, but you can play/use files/music etc, on a pc.

CDRW while great for experimenting, is not nice and can confuse us as it may or may not play on many car CD players. This and more at the CDR FAQ. Read http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq04.html#S4-23

"If you're trying to use CD-RW media, your odds of success are worse than with CD-R. CD-RW discs simply won't play on most CD players."

Once anything goes to a CDR it is a done deal, you cannot re use. as Bob said, CDRW disks are not friendly to many players (car use, etc) My suggestion would be to buy a bunch of inexpensive (cheap) CD-R's and play, get used doing burns. Also most basic software(s) that are loaded on new computers are barely ok. If you get serious about burning music, movies (DVD),you may want to invest in some decent aftermarket software, NERO, ROXIO, SONY ACID, something along those lines. Those make life a whole lot easier once you get into doing burning editing and other fancy stuff. Good luck and have fun, I do considerably burning and use Nero for the most part and like it very much.

Heres a table for selecting the proper disc format when burning a DVD or CD: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2af64e60-60aa-4d79-ab6c-3a5db5806cbe1033.mspx

Pretty basic but a great guide none the less.

I wasn't thinking whether I was being frugal or not...as I said, I didn't continue the process and it really didn't put anything on that CD. Since I didn't put any music on it, I wanted to use it again and that's when I come across that info. I wanted to know if there's a solution out there that I don't know of. If it's too much trouble, I can and will use a new disk. Thanks anyhow.

Best way to destroy a cd or dvd with sensitive info is to put in microwave oven for few seconds, the metal film containing the data fries with one flash and it does not damage the microwave.
Have you considered getting a USB flash disk? The disk can be writen to as files, and most car audio systems have an aux port for either USB or ipod. The flash disk is more expensive than blank cd but is reusable, just treat it as another drive to drag n drop into. Note: I use Linux instead of Windows but Nissan Note plays music files via USB

Hi Bob, the idea of using a microwave is that the film is disrupted, so unreadable. The unit is only used until the first flash, so no burning of plastic medium. Have been using this method for some years with no side-effects either for myself or microwave. Do not have shredder, and disks just go into recycle container as plastic.
Hope this clarifies.

Lol. Thanks and take care mate.

Terry.