still somewhat new to windows vista and everyday there is another surprise...can any windows vista users explain how to back-up a couple of word documents...on my windows xp i just insert a cd into the disk drive and copy the documents...windows vista wants to format the cd...i let it format which takes about 15 to 20 minutes...it always goes through the formatting process and comes back "format was unsuccessful"...after that it appears that the new cd is no longer readable or useable...anyway, i tried to use both the auto back-up program, as well as tried to format it manually...when i just try to copy the files manually, it still wants to format the disk...help me if you can...thanks

found instructions....windows vista users may want to read and keep handy...bye


ps: windows vista really SUCKS! the more i use it the more i dislike it...........

oops...forgot to add instructions so here they are

Choose the Mastered format when you need a highly compatible disc that will play in computers with an older version of Windows or in media devices such as CD and DVD players that can read digital music and video files. For more information about choosing a disc format, see Which CD or DVD format should I use?

1. Insert a writeable CD or DVD into your computer's CD or DVD recorder.

2. In the dialog box that appears, click Burn files to data disc.

3. In the Burn a Disc dialog box, type a name for this disc, and then click Show formatting options.

4. Click Mastered, and then click Next.

An empty disc folder opens.

5. Open the folder that contains the files you want to burn, and then drag the files into the empty disc folder.

6. On the toolbar, click Burn to disc.

The selected files are copied to the disc. When the disc burning is complete, the disc burner tray will open and you can remove the disc. You can now use the disc in another computer or media device. This type of disc does not need to be closed.

Just get a decent third-party CD/DVD burning software.

"Formatting the discs" sounds to me like it's making the CD-R into a packet writed disc although I could be wrong about that. Packet writed discs does NOT guarantee it will work in all computers.

thanks for the feedback...as you can tell i seldom have a need to back-up documents or copy items to a cd...currently, i just have 2 short Word documents that i needed to back-up...the process above worked...however, i will start looking for a third-party CD/DVD burner to make things easier for me in the future...thanks again

I'd recommend ImgBurn, it's freeware. Don't be turned off by it's somewhat involved configuration menu of options you'll get used to it and have a powerhouse of a burning app. Note: it only does data discs though, if you need an awesome freeware high quality audio CD burning program look into Burrrn.

okay...i will download ImgBurn...thanks for the support