DVD-RW not recording to a dvd

Hi, Brian:

What model Dell, operating system and DVD drive do you have (hint, check device manager for the model of your drive)?

It is an XPS 400 with Windows XP Media Center and a _NEC DVD+-RW ND-3530A.

What program are you using to burn video DVDs, and what specific blank discs (brand, speed and format)?

I've tried to burn dvd's in a few different programs, one was media center, and I used memorex dvd's but even when there is no dvd's in there it still doesn't recognize that I have a dvd-rw.

Ok, that's fine, but I need to know which program does not recognize that you have a recordable drive.

So far both Media Center and Roxio haven't recognized that it is a DVD-RW.

Try this. Insert a blank DVD in the drive and use DVD Identifier (link in my signature) to see if it can read this disc.

My drive can read discs without any problem, it can play the dvd's, it just isn't being recognized as a      DVD-RW.  Regardless of whether or not there is a dvd or not in the drive it will not even recognize that my drive has that capability.

Bryan:

 

I need to determine if the drive is able to read blank media. This will distinguish a hardware from a software issue. Please try DVD Identifier.

I know its been a while, but I tried the identifier and it seems to recognize the disc.

Hi, Bryan:

 

Did you get the media code from DVD identifier?

 

Since the drive does seem to be able to read blank discs, then that points back to Roxio or WMP as the culprit. You might want to try uninstalling then reinstalling Roxio and apply any program updates listed in downloads.