You can format a CD-RW and then simply use any method of dragging files to the CD - Windows Explorer, eg. same as you would to a Floppy.

I don't think there's much point of formatting a CD-R, thouggh. Or even if you can.

Try instead using your "Easy CD Creator" section of Roxio to burn a Data disk in the regular way, without formatting. If that don't work, there may well be something wrong with the drive.

I have my own problems. Also using Roxio Easy (and also reluctant to spend the $70 to upgrade) I use it to format then use MS Backup for regular data backups. That works fine but after two or three Diffderential backups, the CD "freezes." The !@#$%^& computer suddenly says they are "Write Protected" which, of course, is impossible. Usually I can copy all the data to hard drive, though, and use a new CD. Yuk.

But, On This Day -
Per Harry Smith and The Ballad Index, there is a liklihood that:

Frankie Baker shot and killed Allen Britt (in song, often called Albert or Johnnie) in St. Louis, MO, on 10/15/1899.