Erasing CD-RWs

Working with the new flat-panel iMacs has taught this old mouse some new tricks. However when we had to quickly erase CD-RWs we discovered that there's no simple way to do it from the desktop.

The solution_

Then AACUG member Don R. from Winter Haven Florida shared this solution:

• > "Use the UNIX tools within the Terminal application
• > to do the work. Insert the disc, then launch the
• > Terminal application. Once that's up, enter the
• > following command: hdiutil burn -erase
• > -- and the utility command will start erasing
• > the disc to fill up again.

Thanks Don

Another way_

Prior to that we were doing it the hard way -- well, maybe not harder, just taking more steps.
      In the Utilities folder (Select: Applications > Utilities) you'll find the Disk Utility. This is provided to perform simple operations on any disk or hard drive. It can analyze the media, effect repairs and even reinitialize them.

Disk Utility

1. Information Tab offers various info about the disk - capacity, mount point, etc.
2. First Aid Tab will search for any problems the disk may have, and the attempt to fix them
3. Erase does just what it says - wipes out all data from the disk returning it to its pristine "empty" state
4. Partition allows you to break your disk or drive into smaller "chunks" that are perceived as individual drives or disks
5. Raid binds several disks or storage devices together into a single drive. (Only for the experts!)

So, to erase that CD-RW, just click Erase with the disk selected.

Authentication

Before you can use any of these features, you'll need to "authenticate" yourself using the Authentication Lock. Even though you're already logged in, the system wants to make sure no one has wandered in while you're on coffee break and decided to erase your hard drive. So you'll have to reenter your password.
 

Wow. With all these new rules and regulations, it's hard for this old mouse to figure out what to do. Thank goodness for fellow members in the association who know more and are willing to share. The command line trick certainly seems like a much easier way to erase the CD for future burns.
 

In reality there are several other ways to do it, but we'll leave that for another edition of This Old Mouse...
 

Until next time, happy mousing.
 

 

If you have tips, tricks or questions you'd like to add to "This Old Mouse" just let me know.   Macintosh User Groups are invited to use this column in their newsletters, but Please read the "Read Me" first, okay!

About the Author:
      Fred Showker is Editor in Chief of "MUG" the AACUG Mac User Guide, and the User Group Network News service, and a founding Apple User Group Advisory Board (UGAB) member. He was an original founder of the User Group Forum on AppleLink Personal Edition, and America Online where he was AFA for eight years. Many MUG (Mac User Group) members know him for his work with the Mug News Service (MNS), National Home & School Mac (NHSM), or his many speaking appearances at NAUG, NAUGSAW and Macworld Expo and others. Today, he's a familiar name in many user group newsletters around the world for his 60-Second Window, now in its 13th year of syndication... read more

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