I am using Vista to try to burn DVDs/CDs on my newly built computer, but it will not format the disc. It reads the disc as blank, autoplay detects, then when I try to format it goes through the process and at the end says that it is unable to complete the format. I tried a hotfix from Ms with no avail and tried Roxio also to no avail. I tried DVD-Rs and CD-Rs. I am thinking the drive is defective, but I have had so many problems with Vista that it wouldn't surprise me that MS is the problem. The drive reads fine.

Any suggestions? Do you think the drive is defective?

Shuttle SD37P2
E6700
4 GBs Corsair XMS2
Samsung 183L (sata) ODD
Western Digital 320 HDD
Windows Vista Ultimate

If the media you are using is old, it might not format.
Try updating the firmware. That might fix the problem.

when MS fails is when it tries to be everything. users fail when they think it can get away with it.

vista is your OS, it's not good cd/dvd burning software.

get a copy of NERO, use it to burn.

i've NEVER found a copy of xp that burns flawlessly, they always have many problems, i haven't personally tried vista but i can bet it's going to be the same. xp will tell give me all kinds of error messages, and nero will just burn it.

Valis

Nero 7 will not burn the .iso images without errors.
For this reason, I would recommend using either Nero 6 or another software.
This is good free software:

http://www.imgburn.com/

It may not do everything you want though.

I know on XP Nero 7 works fine for ISO. On Vista I don't know.

Anyhow, here is another program you might want to give a whirl:

http://www.roxio.com/