Windows XP Pro (SP2) does have built-in support for writing to both CD-Rs
and DVD-RAM disks, right? That is, without any other optical media writing
software installed.

I need to make a quick decision on deciding on a replacement DVD-Rewriter
(the existing drive malfunctioned). The choices include a model with DVD-RAM
capabilities.

Since the particular machine concerned does only data back-ups and there is
access to unused DVD-RAM disks, it might perhaps make sense to use that
format. I seem to recall reading that DVD-RAM disks are more reliable than
DVD+/-R/RW disks for long term data storage.

Regards and thanks in advance for any insights

JP

Windows XP supports the DVD-RAM file systems
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283588

You cannot write to a DVD-RAM disc that is in
a DVD-RAM/CD-RW combination drive
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=826510

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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"JP" <jp@private.nospam> wrote:

| Windows XP Pro (SP2) does have built-in support for writing to both CD-Rs
| and DVD-RAM disks, right? That is, without any other optical media writing
| software installed.
|
| I need to make a quick decision on deciding on a replacement DVD-Rewriter
| (the existing drive malfunctioned). The choices include a model with DVD-RAM
| capabilities.
|
| Since the particular machine concerned does only data back-ups and there is
| access to unused DVD-RAM disks, it might perhaps make sense to use that
| format. I seem to recall reading that DVD-RAM disks are more reliable than
| DVD+/-R/RW disks for long term data storage.
|
| Regards and thanks in advance for any insights
|
| JP

Hi Carey Frisch,

I do appreciate your quick response. The links have been extremely
informative, especially the first! We are closer to making a decision - at
this stage it is tending towards the DVD-RAM drive!

Regards and thanks very much.

JP
----


"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
news:eRIRUUpUGHA.4608@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-RAM
Review the pros and cons, see link..
Make sure you can get the DVD-RAM media locally and compare the price
difference between the two.. Make sure the drive comes with a decent burning
app too..
j;-j

"JP" wrote:

Thanks for the suggestion!

The burner comes from Newegg and the disks were purchased last year for
another project. Bought from Fry's IIRC. Will try and use native burning
first and, if necessary, install add'l burning application. Have a choice of
Nero 7, Roxio 7, Sony (something), DeepBurner, BurnerXP Pro...

:-)

JP
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"Jaymon" <Jaymon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C14672E9-D696-4E73-98A4-6B54EDC077FD@microsoft.com...

You should also note that when you purchase a DVD-Ram drive in a retail
(boxed) version, you will normally get a third party DVD writing software,
which would give you the writing ability for the other DVD formats.

On 28/03/2006 "JP" <jp@private.nospam> wrote:
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Y.