I think we have a bit of confusion regarding terms. It seems that each recording device uses a different term to describe preparing a disc to be recorded. The device may say "prepare", "initialize", or "format". Each device, or even a program, may go about the process a little differently. Sometimes if you "format" a blank DVD R (dash or plus) on one device, a different device may not recognize the disc even though it's empty (except for the formatting info). It must be then burned on the original formatting device. DVD RW of course can be used again and again, but sometimes the same procedure holds true. From what I've read in the previous posts, my last resort would be as follows: See if it still plays on your standalone player. If it does play, then you know there's still info on the disc. Place the disc in your drive. Try to open it with ConvertXtoDVD. If it opens let ConvertX try to erase it (you should get a message about "disc not empty" or some such thing and ask if you want to erase. If that doesn't happen, take the disc out, throw it away, and go buy a new one. It's not worth any more BS.
