Help Formatting CD

Your understanding is partially incorrect. XP does have disk burning
capability but it is similar to mastering as done in music CDs and they
don't require formatting. Such CDs should be readable in most standard
drives.

Formatting is associated with packet writing, the ability to drag and drop
files or save files directly to CD. This requires third party software such
as Roxio's Direct CD or Drag to Disk component of Easy CD Creator,
www.roxio.com or the InCD component of Nero, www.nero.com; please see
websites for drive compatibility and version compatibility with XP. CDs
created in this fashion with this type of software are only readable if a
UDF reader or the third party software is installed.

Hence, you are correct, you don't need this software in XP to create a disk
that should be readable on most standard CD-ROM drives but if you are
looking for the ability to format, something associated with the above
capability, this is not supported natively in XP.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Ann Marie" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:058c01c3d997$b9526620$a501280a@phx.gbl...

> New User: I have successfully burned files onto a cd
> with an external cd burner. However, this cd is not
> formatted to work in a standard drive.
>
> I was unable to locate the procedures to either format
> the disk beforehand or formating afterward. It is my
> understanding that XP has the capability and that
> additional software is not needed. Is this correct?
>
> Would love the help in locating how to format data cd's
> for reading capability in all standard drives.
>
> Currently I am using the Iomega Zip CD 650.
> Thanks for the assistance
> Ann Marie