H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mac mini: Unable to erase or format DVD RAM Side B

DVD RAM...

Having trouble erasing/formatting/etc., blank media (9.4 GB, 4.7 GB). Side A is working. Trying to format Side B.

DVD burner: HP DVD 1040e, software that came with this drive is Windows only; Mac mini (6,1), macOS 12.7.6.

See a couple screen shots attached.

Something weird is going on here...

Need third party utility to erase?

Thx, JMH :)

Mac mini, macOS 12.7

Posted on Mar 4, 2026 6:15 AM

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23 replies

H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mar 7, 2026 12:24 PM in response to den.thed

The mobile is sounding better and better. If remember correctly, there was a format called UDF (Universal Disc Format, like HFS+). External HDD or SSD drives?

On a side note, Apple never did support Blu-ray in any form (read only or any kind a recordable).

Have a couple BD-R/BD-RE disc. Probably not supported by Disk Utility?

Would probably have to go third party software.

Thx, JMH 👍

H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mar 7, 2026 1:47 PM in response to MrHoffman

In making the mobile, fishing line is best, yeah?

Yeah, remembered Steve’s quote about Blu-ray, lol. HD DVD versus Blu-ray, Sony won the day.

Not like Betamax versus VHS. Can’t win them all. HD DVD drives and media is probably rarer than chicken lips, lol 😂

Does not iMovie burn discs? Wondering if the correct data about drive(s) DVD RAM capabilities isn’t being passed onto macOS at all?

H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mar 4, 2026 9:10 AM in response to H AND J

Sorry, but the dvd burner is a hp dvd 1040d, not 1040e, my bad…

H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mar 4, 2026 2:20 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

DVD RAM at this capacity has two sides, Side A and B.

9.4 GB in total, 4.7 GB per Side.

Verbatim media.

H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mar 4, 2026 4:43 PM in response to MartinR

Yes! :)

H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mar 4, 2026 5:53 PM in response to HWTech

Maybe have become corrupted. But Side A is working.

Go figure!

H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mar 4, 2026 7:30 PM in response to MrHoffman

Yes, have about half a dozen DVD RAM disc.

Did not Lite-On supply drives to third party vendors?

H AND J Author

Level 1

27 points

Mar 7, 2026 9:54 AM in response to MrHoffman

Thanks. Noticed that too. (DVD-ROM). Firmware updates needed?

Know of any DVD RAM disc utilities?

Thx, JMH :)

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Mac mini: Unable to erase or format DVD RAM Side B