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Frequently Asked Questions to take advantage
of out expert troubleshooting, get the latest updates, and learn about tips for using your
Imation products. For more information, including brochures, demos, and spec sheets, visit the CD-R Media product page.
I
don't see 700MB of available space on my blank CD-R in Windows
Explorer.If you have additional questions or comments, please contact our Technical Support.
In Windows Explorer, if you place a blank CD-R into a CD-R/RW burner or CD-ROM drive and choose Properties, most Windows operating systems won't see 700MB of available space. Instead it will show something closer to 648MB of available space. This is a Windows limitation and does not reflect the true capacity of the media. The exception is Windows XP which will see the available disc space as 702MB using Windows Explorer. This is probably due to the native burning software built into the XP operating system.
To see the actual capacity in Windows 98, ME, NT or 2000, open your CD burning program (e.g. Easy CD Creator) and in the toolbar choose Disc, then Disc Information. You will see a capacity of 702MB.
With Macintosh operating systems, blank disc capacity is viewable only through the burning software you are using.
Computers purchased with a CD-RW drive will come with vendor supplied burning software, but if you are experiencing problems burning you can test the software by using the native software in Windows XP to see if the results vary.
Check the Microsoft Website (www.microsoft.com) and search on "burning CDs with XP" for details.
It is very difficult to estimate the life of a CD-R or CD-RW because there are many factors such as temperature and humidity, exposure to light, dirt and contamination, and handling and scratches, which can affect the life of a disc. For more information about CD-R and CD-RW longevity, visit the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA).
For ultimate durability consider using Imation CD-R media with ForceField™ Scratch-Resistant Coating. The unique, thin polymer layer of protection on the recording side guards against most everyday wear and tear that can interrupt use of the data stored on the disc.
Imation 52x CD-R Discs with ForceField™ scratch-resistant coating, like any standard CD-R media, are compatible with most CD-R drives. The ForceField coating provides an extra layer of protection against everyday use and is designed to repel finger prints, dust, and static buildup. The coating itself is less than one micron thick and does not interfere with a drive's ability to read or write.