BD-RE drive won’t format BD-R disc

Hi, Billyum:

What program are you using for back-up? Vista does not have the ability to write to BD so if you're trying to use the integrated back-up utility, that's not going to work.

I'm not positive that you can format a BD-R disc.

Welcome to the forums Billy :emotion-21:

The BD-RE suggests it is, but you're absolutely sure your Blu-Ray drive is a writer, and not just a reader?

Assuming it is a writer, and as Osprey suggests... you need to use third-party software to burn to Blu-Ray discs.

There are any number of FREE programs you can use - including:

CD Burner XP (highly recommended)
ImgBurn (also very good)
Deep Burner
Final Burner FREE
Ultimate CD/DVD Burner
Totally Free Burner

Try one or other of those (start with CD Burner XP first), and let us know how you get on.

And don't worry.  Despite the unfortunate choice of name... CD Burner XP does work under Vista and Windows 7 :emotion-5:

I'm not sure if blank Blu-Ray discs need formatting first either, but you'll be advised by the burning software if they do?

I doubt it though... given how long it could take to format a 25GB disc :emotion-3:

Thanks much for the advice and suggested software.  Silly of me to think that a computer with a blu-ray burner would include the software to support it. 

I'd prefer to find a package designed for an easy backup, so I don't have to spend hours or days telling it what,  and what not, to backup.

I’ve tried only the Vista Backup and Restore Center.

Billyum:

The question above was, Are you sure this is a blu-ray burner? Perhaps you could provide the model number.

And yes, your system should have software to burn blu-ray discs. But your original question was about backup software, not blu-ray burning software. But you cannot use Vista to back up to BD discs. You need something else.

As to whether the unit is actually a Blu-ray burner here is the description:  HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH20N ATA Device.  I din't know how to find the model number.

The HLDS BH20N (BH20N is the model) is a Blu-ray rewriter drive.  User's Guide
is here .....

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Look on your system for Roxio software.  It may be the Blu-ray
writing software installed by Dell.

To Skybird's suggestion, I'll add one tip.

I would NOT use BD discs for backup purposes. DVDs are about one tenth the cost per GB.

I was able to use Roxio, which came with the computer, to create a blu-ray backup.  It didn't work at first; but got some help from Roxio Support which included a recommendation to update to the latest PX Engine, which, I believe, solved the problem.  Thanks Skybird for your valuable assistance. 

I know you seem to have resolved this issue now but I have a very similar problem. Can't format a BD-RE disc. I have the latest firmware for the BH20N - C106/A05 and the latest PX Engine from Roxio. However, it appears to be a problem between the dirver/firmware and the Operating system - Vista and 7.  The reaso I say that is because I get the error - Windows cannot complete the format regardless of what software I am trying to use to foramt/erase/write to the disc.  Using Memorex BD-re.  Dell Technical Support tell me it is a software issue, so that seems to confirm what I think.

It appears to me that Dell have sold me a system that was not fully tested.  The drive works fine with BD-r discs but not BD-RE discs and never has.  So why should I pay for software support?

How do people complain to dell?  Their customer support link is only to do with order status, etc.

RonD2010:

It should not be necessary to format a BR disc. Can you tell me what you're trying to do?

Hi all Bluray drive users,

I've just been searching the forum for a solution to my problem - can't format BD-re - and am absolutely staggered by the number of problems related to all manner of Bluray drives installed by Dell.

It seems that there is a really fundamental problem(s0 with Bluray and Dell systems.  Truely, it is staggering.  No wonder Dell are trying to ignore this problem.  Think it's time it got wider coverage in the IT industry.  Bet there are plenty of papers/magazines/rival companies/support forums/etc. that would find it interesting.  Perhaps they could bring some pressure to bear and help get some resolution.

Hi Billyum,

Thanks for taking the time, and putting in the effort, to respond so fully regarding a possible solution to my problem.  Much more than Dell have done!!

Unfortunately, I have already done all that you suggest except confirm that the media is compatible with the drive manufacturer.  Have sent LG an email but no response.  Interestingly, the drive is produced by the Hitachi/LGE joint venture and is not listed by either company as being a drive they produce.  Can't get onto the joint venture site, well not in English anyway.  The link to the English page just comes up Under Construction - the joint venture was set-up in 2000 or 2002.  Quick work.  So, as reported to Dell - twice - the problem is still unresolved.

Thanks again.  Will let you know when (IF) and how I get somebody to own the problem and resolve it.  Still think the system was sold to me without complete testing.

Hi Osprey4,

I first ran into the problem when I wanted to backup some files to my Memorex BD-RE disc(s).  The first thing that happened was that I got a message that the disc was not formatted.  So I tried to format it.  Apparently you do need to format BD-RE discs before their first use.  That is when the fun started and every software product I have used to try and format the Disc(s) has given me the same error.  Not I posted under thid heading - knowing that you can't format a BD-r disc, but wanting to join this discussion.