If a format fails or the format process hangs while using DirectCD™, it may be caused by something as simple as the brand of CD you are using or a system setting conflicting with the formatting process. Please use the following steps to help resolve this issue.

STEP ONE - Try to format a different CD-R or CD-RW disc

1. Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW into your Iomega® CD-RW drive
   
   
2. Double-click the CD icon located in the Windows® taskbar.
   
   Note: If the 'DirectCD Disc Ready' window appears, the disc is already formatted for DirectCD. Proceed to STEP TWO.
   
   
3. The DirectCD Wizard should appear and guide you step-by-step through the format process.
   
   Is the problem fixed?
   
   Y If you are able to format your CD using DirectCD, you should now be able to use your Iomega CD-RW drive.
   
   N If you are still unable to format your CD, please continue with the next step.
   
   

STEP TWO - Disable the background applications

1. Turn off any screen saver, power management or suspend mode that may be enabled on your computer while formatting your CD. These may be re-enabled once the format is complete.
   
   
2. Disable any active anti-virus software or automatic backup application while formatting your CD.
   
   Note: Ensure that you re-enable the active anti-virus software after formatting your CD.
   
   
3. Try to format your CD.
   
   Is the problem fixed?
   
   Y If you are able to format your CD using DirectCD, you should now be able to use your Iomega CD-RW drive.
   
   N If you are still unable to format your CD, please continue with the next step.
   
   

STEP THREE - Uninstall and reinstall your Iomega CD-Ware software

1. Uninstall your Iomega CD-Ware software:
   
   
   1. Click Start, select Settings and click Control Panel.
      
      
   2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
      
      
   3. Highlight Iomega CD-RW.
      
      
   4. Click the Add/Remove button.
      
      
   5. Follow the uninstall screen prompts.
      
      
   6. Once the software is uninstalled, click OK.
      
      
   7. Click Yes to restart your computer.
      
      
2. Reinstall your Iomega CD-Ware software:
   
   Note: You will be required to restart your computer to complete the software installation. Please close all open applications before proceeding.
   
   
   1. Insert your Iomega CD-Ware software CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive.
      
      
   2. If the software setup does not start automatically, please use the following steps:
      
      
      1. Right-click the My Computer icon.
         
         
      2. Click Open.
         
         
      3. Double-click the CD-ROM drive letter.
         
         
      4. Double-click Setup.
         
         
   3. Follow the instructions as they appear on your screen to install the software.
      
      
   4. Restart your computer to complete the software installation.
      
      
   5. Try to format your CD.
      
      
   Is the problem fixed?
   
   Y If you are able to format your CD using DirectCD, you are now ready to use your Iomega CD-RW drive.
   N If you are still unable to format your CD, please continue to the next step.
   
   

STEP FOUR - Disable the DMA channel for your CD-ROM and Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drives

1. Disable the DMA channel for your CD-ROM drive:
   
   Note: You will be asked to restart your computer at the end of these steps. Please close all open applications before proceeding.
   
   
   1. Right-click the My Computer icon.
      
      
   2. Click Properties.
      
      
   3. Click the Device Manager tab.
      
      
   4. Double-click CDROM.
      
      
   5. Double-click the CD-ROM icon to access the CD-ROM drive properties window.
      
      
      
      
   6. Click the Settings tab.
      
      
   7. Click within the DMA box to remove the checkmark.
      
      Note: A blank DMA box indicates the DMA channel has already been disabled.
      
      
      
   8. Click OK.
      
      
   9. Click Close.
      
      
   10. Click Yes to restart your computer.
       
       
2. Disable the DMA channel for your Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drive:
   
   Note: You will be asked to restart your computer at the end of these steps. Please close all open applications before proceeding.
   
   
   1. Right-click the My Computer icon.
      
      
   2. Click Properties.
      
      
   3. Click the Device Manager tab.
      
      
   4. Double-click CDROM.
      
      
   5. Double-click the IOMEGA CD-RW icon to access the Iomega CD-RW drive properties window.
      
      
   6. Click the Settings tab.
      
      
   7. Click within the DMA box to remove the checkmark.
      
      
   8. Click OK.
      
      
   9. Click Close.
      
      
   10. Click Yes to restart your computer.
       
       
   11. Try to format your CD.
       
       
   Is the problem fixed?
   
   Y If you are able to format your CD using DirectCD, you are now ready to use your Iomega CD-RW drive.
   N If you are still unable to format your CD, please continue with the next step.
   
   

STEP FIVE - Reinstall your internal Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drive as the only device on the secondary IDE channel

If your internal Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drive is connected to the primary IDE channel as a slave, you may want to reinstall your Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drive as the only device on the secondary IDE channel as a master.

1. Remove the Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drive from the computer's drive bay.
   
   Warning: Before you remove the computer's case or touch the computer's internal components always turn off the computer and disconnect the computer's power supply and discharge personal static electricity by touching a grounded metal object such as a metal screw attached to the computer casing. If you do not discharge personal static electricity, you risk damage to your hardware and possible loss of data.
   
   Caution: Before you remove your computer cover, check your computer manufacturer's warranty information. Removing your computer cover may void your manufacturer's warranty agreement.
   
   
   1. Close all open applications.
      
      
   2. Shut down Windows and turn off your computer.
      
      
   3. Disconnect your computer's power supply from the electrical outlet.
      
      
   4. Remove your computer's cover.
      
      Note: You may need to refer to your computer manual for complete instructions.
      
      
   5. Remove the mounting screws securing your Iomega CD-RW drive.
      
      
   6. Disconnect the 40-pin interface cable from the back of your Iomega CD-RW drive.
      
      Note: If you have questions concerning which IDE channel your Iomega CD-RW drive is currently connected to or how to identify the secondary IDE channel, please refer to the 'Understanding IDE/ATAPI Connections' section of your Iomega CD-RW manual.
      
      
   7. Disconnect the internal computer power supply from the back of your Iomega CD-RW drive.
      
      
   8. Slide your Iomega CD-RW drive out of your computer's drive bay.
      
      
2. Change the jumper setting on your Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drive to a master setting.
   
   When you connect your Iomega CD-RW drive as the only device on the secondary IDE channel, you will need to change the jumper setting on your drive from a slave to a master setting. Please use the following steps.
   
   
   1. Remove the jumper (plastic piece) from the back of your Iomega CD-RW drive.
      
      
   2. Place the jumper over the two pins on the right as shown in the illustration below.
      
      
      
      
3. Place your Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drive into the drive bay and connect the interface cable and power supply.
   
   
   1. Slide your Iomega CD-RW drive into an open drive bay.
      
      
   2. Locate your computer's secondary IDE channel.
      
      
   3. Locate the PIN 1 connection on the secondary IDE channel.
      
      
   4. Connect the 40-pin interface cable that came with your Iomega CD-RW drive to the secondary IDE channel. Align the stripe on the interface cable with the PIN 1 connection on the IDE channel.
      
      
      
      
   5. Connect the other end of the 40-pin interface cable to the back of your Iomega CD-RW drive.
      
      
   6. Reconnect the internal computer power supply to your Iomega CD-RW drive.
      
      
   7. Secure your Iomega CD-RW drive to the drive bay with the mounting screws.
      
      
   8. Replace your computer's cover.
      
      
   9. Plug your computer's power supply into an electrical outlet.
      
      
   10. Restart your computer.
       
       
   11. Try to format your CD.
       
       
   Is the problem fixed?
   
   Y If you are now able to format your CD, leave your Iomega CD-RW ATAPI drive as a master and set any other devices connected to the same IDE channel as a slave.
   
   Note: For information on how to set the other devices on the IDE channel as slave, please refer to the documentation that came with that device.
   
   N If you are still unable to format your CD, please continue to the next step.
   
   

STEP SIX - Verify your system is configured for optimal performance

1. Right-click the My Computer icon.
   
   
2. Click Properties.
   
   
3. Click the Performance tab.
   
   
   
   What do I do next?
   
   
   • If Windows 98/95 is running properly, the Performance tab states 'Your system is configured for optimal performance'. If your system is configured at optimal performance, as shown in the illustration above, please visit the Iomega Contact page at http://www.iomega.com/europe/support/english/en_contact.html to obtain technical support contact options.
     
     
   • If Windows is running DOS drivers, the Performance tab states 'Windows is running in real-mode'. If your system is running in real-mode, continue with the next step.

STEP SEVEN - Locate and disable any conflicting real-mode drivers

1. Click Start and Run.
   
   
2. Next to Open, type sysedit and click OK.
   
   Note: This will launch the System Configuration Editor and several windows will appear on your computer's desktop.
   
   
3. Locate the AUTOEXEC.BAT window, which is normally the first window that appears. Scroll down to find any lines that begin with DEVICE=. An example would be DEVICE=MYDRIVER.SYS
   
   
4. Type REM (for remark) in front of each device line. For example: REM DEVICE=MYDRIVER.SYS If there are no device lines, proceed to step F.
   
   Note: Typing REM in front of a device line will cause the computer to ignore that line when starting up. This may cause some devices not to work properly. REM statements may be removed after testing.
   
   
5. Mark each device line and save the changes when prompted.
   
   
6. Close the AUTOEXEC.BAT window and click the CONFIG.SYS window, which is normally the next open window. Scroll down to find any lines that begin with DEVICE=
   
   
7. Type REM in front of each device line. If there are no device lines, proceed to step I.
   
   Note: A REM will cause the computer to ignore that device line when starting up. This may cause some devices not to work properly. REM statements maybe removed after testing.
   
   
8. Mark each device line and save the changes when prompted.
   
   
9. Close the CONFIG.SYS window and the System Configuration Editor.
   
   
10. Restart your computer.
    
    
11. Try to format your CD.
    
    
    • If you are able to format your CD, there is a conflicting real-mode driver. Continue with the next step.
      
      
    • If you are unable to format your CD, go back into the System Configuration Editor and remove the REM statements. Please visit the Iomega Contact page at http://www.iomega.com/europe/support/english/en_contact.html to obtain technical support contact options.
      
      

STEP EIGHT - Resolve the conflict with the real-mode drivers

1. Click Start and Run.
   
   
2. Next to Open, type sysedit.
   
   
3. Remove one REM statement from the first DEVICE= line and save the changes.
   
   
4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
   
   
5. Try to reformat your CD.
   
   If the format does not fail, then continue to use steps A-E above until the problem recurs. Once the problem recurs, the last REM statement removed indicates the conflicting driver.
   
   To resolve the conflict, leave the REM statement on the conflicting driver's device line or contact the computer or device manufacturer to see if they have an updated driver.
   
   

If you are still unable to format your CD after obtaining an updated driver, please visit the Iomega Contact page at http://www.iomega.com/europe/support/english/en_contact.html to obtain technical support contact options.

		If you did not find your answer...
		Click here for additional troubleshooting and support options