Nero wont recognize blank DVD-r/rw

Hey there everyone. Its my first time posting and, while I am somewhat knowledgeable of computers, I do need a clear explanation of my problem (that is, if anyone help me).

I have a Sony DRU-530A DVD burner. I can burn CD's on it but when I go to put in a blank DVD, it says there is either a problem with the drive or the blank DVD. I have tried using 10 different blank DVD's and they all get the same response. I have tried many things. Different burn programs, I uninstalled WMP Service Pack 2 b/c I have read threads that it was disrupting nero, I d/l the latest firmware for my burner. But it still does not recognize the DVD's.

My other problem is that I have an Xvid file that I am not sure how to burn on to DVD (assuming the burner actually worked). There are .rar files with the same name (hls-tnpa) which are the video and .r30, .r31. etc which I think are the sound files. There are about 30 .rar and sound files. It is a DVD movie I am trying to back up. How do I properly burn this file? Oh yeah, and the .rar opens up to be .avi video.

If anyone could help, please explain in the clearest way possible. I have read so many threads on this subject but am not aware of some of the programs that are brought up or how to use them properly.

Thanks!

hmm, my first thought is that it's the type and/or brand of media you are using. have you tried different brands of DvD media ?
the rar problem: try installing winrar. double click on the first rar and choose to extract to some location. you now have an AVI. guide to converting AVI to DvD compliant MPEG2 files ready for burning to DvD @ http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=61142

also, that drive gets a good review @ http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1408269,00.asp
they mention no issues such as you are having...

you might wanna try my troubleshooting tips

1. go through the 10 points listed @ http://www.mrbass.org/dvdnewbie/ [ you may not be a newbie, but the trouble is, and might be related to one or more of the listed items ]. note: very important to keep the transfer mode on IDE channels in DMA mode. check them every now and then, they can change.

2. a) know your drive's capabilities. use nero info tool. also go to the drive maker's website and find out what media types and brands, and at what speed to those media types, the drive supports. [ eg., my pioneer 107d can burn to dvd-rw @ 4x without trouble, but my optorite 401 can only burn @ 2x to dvd-rw even though Nero and other burning programs will offer to burn @ 4x and will produce a "successfull" disc @ 4x...it ends up a coaster ] b) update the firmware of the drive. check for updates @ http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php

3. a) try another brand of CD/DvD disc. b) try burning at lower speed. eg., don't try burning at 24x to 16x media; burn according to MEDIA speed limits, don't try to burn at the cd/dvd drive max speed until you are certain that you can do so without negative consequences.

4. a) disable and/or uninstall any virtual drives. b) install an aspi layer. preferred is v460. get it @ http://www.snapfiles.com/get/aspilayer.html

5. a) update the burning program you are using to the latest release. b) uninstall any recently installed software. c) do a virus scan, and a scan with spybot s & d [ get it @ http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html ]

6. for XP or Win2K users, optimise your operating system Services for best system performance. for info go to http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm#Alerter and http://www.freeware-alternative.uni....roller-xp.html

7. before burning, open taskmanager and shutdown ALL unneeded processes that are running.

8. a) try another burning software and see if you get a better result. deepburner standard is free. get it @ http://www.deepburner.com/ b) for users of alcohol 120%, update to the latest drives support DLL [ look for topic "Alcohol 120% Device Support Patch Released" @ http://forum.alcohol-soft.com/index.php?showforum=10 ] c) if you have multiple burning softwares installed, uninstall them all, then install one. test it. install another if needed. test it, and so on...

9. make sure mainboard chipset drivers are up to date. make sure all cables and jumpers connected to drives are correctly configured with regard to master/slave setup.

10. enter your BIOS and disable anything you don't use. set memory speeds to default. set cpu speed to default. if you overclock, DON'T [ until you are certain that overclocking is not the cause of the trouble ].

11. if you still cannot fix the problem, try the drive or the DvD disc you are having problems with in another PC that has no burning issues...if possible.