I'm having the same problem. I bought a Micro Advantage SuperDrive (BTC 1004IM) at OfficeMAX. I've had nothing but problems getting it to work. It came with Roxio 6. I installed Nero also. The firmware version was 0037 when purchased. Whenever I accessed the drive, my PC HDD drive light would go on solid and stay on.

I upgraded to firmware 0039. Drive stability didn't seem to increase. I spoke with a tech support person that suggested that Nero and Roxio drivers and DLLs interfere with each other, and to uninstall both, and install the package of choice (Nero in my case). I was also told that a new firmware update (0040) supporting more media was due out soon. I got that and installed the new firmware.

I was able to burn several DVDs on HP DVD+R and Imation DVD+RW (and erase them) with Nero 6 and DVD Architect 1.0(d). I could play DVDs (Avia Guide to Home Theater) with PowerDVD XP 4.

Last night all of that changed (for some unknown reason). I did not install any new software from this configuration. I was trying to render and burn some video with DVD Architect. I came back and the screen said successful on the DVD+RW media. The disk was blank. At this point, I couldn't get the DVD writer to recognize any inserted DVD media, but it recognizes and accesses CD-R and CDs just fine. XP just keeps saying the drive is empty. The Nero Info tool also insists that the drive is empty when any DVD media is installed.

I tried updating PowerDVD to the lastest buid, re-installing DirectX 9.0b, unistalling the drive from XP hardware manager, re-flashing the firmware to 0040, downgrading the firmware to 0039, resetting the BIOS for my IDE devices, unistalling InCD, disabling AutoPlay in XP, ad nauseum. I have the latest Intel drivers for my 850 chipset, and the latest application accelerator (for DMA) installed.

My *guess* at this point is there's two lasers in these drives, one for CD reading/writing and one for DVDs. The DVD one appears to be dead. This is one of the things that would make sense to cause this failure.

Here is my configuration:

Nero InfoTool 2.04

Drive Information
-----------------
Drive : CREATIVE CD5233E
Type : CD-ROM Drive
Firmware Version : 1.00
Buffer Size : 128 KB
Date : ?
Serial Number : ?
Drive Letter : R:\
Location : 0:1
Mechanism : Tray
Read Speed : 52 X
Write Speed : n/a

Read CD Text : No
Return C2 Pointers : Yes
Read CD-R : Yes
Read CD-RW : Yes
Read DVD-ROM : No
Read DVD-RAM : No
Read DVD-R : No
Read DVD-RW : No
Read DVD+R : No
Read DVD+RW : No
Read Digital Audio : Yes
Read CD+G : No
Read VideoCD : Yes

Write CD-R : No
Write CD-RW : No
Write DVD-R : No
Write DVD-RW : No
Write DVD+R : No
Write DVD+RW : No
Write DVD-RAM : No
Buffer Underrun Protection : No
Mount Rainier : No
Modes : n/a


Disc Information (R:\)
-------------------
Type : - no disc inserted -


Drive Information
-----------------
Drive : DVDRW IDE1004
Type : DVD-R/RW Combo Drive
Firmware Version : 0039
Buffer Size : 2 MB
Date : ?
Serial Number : AD76FD5E
Drive Letter : F:\
Location : 1:1
Mechanism : Tray
Read Speed : 40, 32, 28, 24, 20, 16, 8, 4 X
Write Speed : 40, 32, 24, 16, 10, 4 X

Read CD Text : Yes
Return C2 Pointers : Yes
Read CD-R : Yes
Read CD-RW : Yes
Read DVD-ROM : Yes
Read DVD-RAM : No
Read DVD-R : Yes
Read DVD-RW : Yes
Read DVD+R : Yes
Read DVD+RW : Yes
Read Digital Audio : Yes
Read CD+G : No
Read VideoCD : Yes

Write CD-R : Yes
Write CD-RW : Yes
Write DVD-R : Yes
Write DVD-RW : Yes
Write DVD+R : Yes
Write DVD+RW : Yes
Write DVD-RAM : No
Buffer Underrun Protection : Yes
Mount Rainier : No
Modes : Packet, TAO, DAO, SAO, RAW SAO, RAW SAO 16, RAW SAO 96, RAW DAO 16, RAW DAO 96

Region Protection Control : RPC II
Region : 1
Changes User : 4
Changes Vendor : 4

Disc Information (F:\)
-------------------
Type : - no disc inserted -


Interface Information
---------------------
Adapter 1
---------
Description : Primary IDE Channel

Driver
Description
Company
Version
Description

Attached Devices
Description : Master: Maxtor 6Y120L0ç
Type : Disk Drive
DMA : On
Description : Slave: CREATIVE CD5233Eðˆúw`8õwÿÿÿÿã9ùwþÝw;Ýw˜ç

Type : CD-Rom Drive
DMA : Off
Autorun : Off

Adapter 2
---------
Description : Secondary IDE Channel

Driver
Description
Company
Version
Description

Attached Devices
Description : Slave: DVDRW IDE100433Eðˆúw`8õwÿÿÿÿã9ùwþÝw;Ýw˜ç

Type : CD-Rom Drive
DMA : Off
Autorun : Off


Software Information
--------------------
Operating System : Windows XP Professional (5.01.2600 Service Pack 1)
ASPI : Win32 Nero Aspi Library 2.0.1.59 Ahead Software AG

Description : Nero Burning ROM
Version : 6, 0, 0, 19
Company : Ahead Software AG
Version Check : Ok

Description : NeroVision Express
Version : 2,0,1,9
Company : Ahead Software AG

Description : PowerDVD
Version : 4.00.2417
Company : CyberLink Corp.


Hardware Information
--------------------
CPU : Intel Pentium 4 Processor 1609 MHz
Bus Speed : 115 MHz
Motherboard : ASUSTeK <<P4T>>
System : System System Name
BIOS : Award ASUS P4T ACPI BIOS Revision 1007
Memory : 512 MB
Sound : Creative Sound Blaster PCI
Video : ?

Driver Information
------------------
Driver : Abiosdsk
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : abp480n5
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : ACPI
Description : ACPI Driver for NT
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : ACPIEC
Description : ACPI Embedded Controller Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : adpu160m
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : aec
Description : Microsoft Acoustic Echo Canceller
Version : 5.1.2601.1095 built by: xpsp1
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Aha154x
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : aic78u2
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : aic78xx
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : AliIde
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : amsint
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Arp1394
Description : IP/1394 Arp Client
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : asc
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : asc3350p
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : asc3550
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : aslm75
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Aspi32
Description : ASPI for WIN32 Kernel Driver
Version : 4.71 (0001)
Company : Adaptec

Driver : AsyncMac
Description : MS Remote Access serial network driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : atapi
Description : IDE/ATAPI Port Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Atdisk
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : ati2mtag
Description : ATI Radeon Miniport Driver
Version : 6.14.10.6378
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.

Driver : atimtag
Description : ATI RADEON Miniport Driver
Version : 5.13.01.3120 (ReleasedBinaries.010715-1631)
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.

Driver : atinrvxx
Description : ATI WDM Rage Theater MiniDriver RT2
Version : 6.14.10.6217
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.

Driver : ATIVRVXX
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Atmarpc
Description : IP/ATM Arp Client
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : audstub
Description : AudStub Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Avg7Core
Description : AVG Scanning Engine
Version : 7.0.0.192
Company : GRISOFT, s.r.o.

Driver : Avg7RsW
Description : Avg7Wrap - AVG Resident Shield Unload Helper
Version : 7.0.0.121
Company : GRISOFT, s.r.o.

Driver : Avg7RsXP
Description : AVG Resident Anti-Virus Shield
Version : 7.0.0.192
Company : GRISOFT, s.r.o.

Driver : Bridge
Description : MAC Bridge Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : BridgeMP
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : cbidf2k
Description : CardBus/PCMCIA IDE Miniport Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : CCDECODE
Description : WDM Closed Caption VBI Codec
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : cd20xrnt
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Cdaudio
Description : CD-ROM Audio Filter Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Cdfs
Description : CD-ROM File System Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Cdrom
Description : SCSI CD-ROM Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Changer
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : CmdIde
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Cpqarray
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : CVirtA
Description : Cisco Systems VPN Adapter
Version : 4.0.0.106
Company : Cisco Systems, Inc.

Driver : CVPNDRVA
Description : Cisco Systems VPN Client IPSec Driver
Version : 4.0.2 (A)
Company : Cisco Systems, Inc.

Driver : dac960nt
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Disk
Description : PnP Disk Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : dmboot
Description : NT Disk Manager Startup Driver
Version : 2600.0.503.0
Company : Microsoft Corp., Veritas Software

Driver : dmio
Description : NT Disk Manager I/O Driver
Version : 2600.0.503.0
Company : Microsoft Corp., Veritas Software

Driver : dmload
Description : NT Disk Manager Startup Driver
Version : 2600.0.503.0
Company : Microsoft Corp., Veritas Software.

Driver : DMusic
Description : Microsoft Kernel DLS Synthesizer
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : DNE
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : dpti2o
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : drmkaud
Description : Microsoft Kernel DRM Audio Descrambler Filter
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : EPUSBSTOR
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : es1371
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Fastfat
Description : Fast FAT File System Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Fdc
Description : Floppy Disk Controller Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Flpydisk
Description : Floppy Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Ftdisk
Description : FT Disk Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : gameenum
Description : Game Port Enumerator
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : GhPciScan
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Gpc
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : hidusb
Description : USB Miniport Driver for Input Devices
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : hpn
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : hpt3xx
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : i2omgmt
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : i2omp
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : i8042prt
Description : i8042 Port Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IdeBusDr
Description : Intel Application Accelerator Driver
Version : 2.3.0.2160, 10/01/2002
Company : Intel Corporation

Driver : IdeChnDr
Description : Intel Application Accelerator Driver
Version : 2.3.0.2160, 10/01/2002
Company : Intel Corporation

Driver : Imapi
Description : IMAPI Kernel Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : ini910u
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : IntelIde
Description : Intel PCI IDE Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Ip6Fw
Description : IPv6 Internet Connection Firewall
Version : 5.1.2600.1240 (xpsp2.030618-0119)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IpFilterDriver
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : IpInIp
Description : IP in IP Encapsulation Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IpNat
Description : IP Network Address Translator
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IPSec
Description : IPSec Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IRENUM
Description : Infra-Red Bus Enumerator
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : isapnp
Description : PNP ISA Bus Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : kmixer
Description : Kernel Mode Audio Mixer
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : lbrtfdc
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : LStone
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : MemAlloc
Description : MemAlloc - Memory locking Driver.
Version : 1.2.30
Company : Pinnacle Systems GmbH

Driver : Modem
Description : Modem Device Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : mraid35x
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : MRxDAV
Description : Windows NT WebDav Minirdr
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MSKSSRV
Description : MS KS Server
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MSPCLOCK
Description : MS Proxy Clock
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MSPQM
Description : MS Proxy Quality Manager
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MSTEE
Description : WDM Tee/Communication Transform Filter
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MTK
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : MVDCODEC
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : NABTSFEC
Description : WDM NABTS/FEC VBI Codec
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NdisIP
Description : Microsoft IP Driver
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NdisTapi
Description : NDIS 3.0 connection wrapper driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Ndisuio
Description : NDIS User mode I/O Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NdisWan
Description : MS PPP Framing Driver (Strong Encryption)
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NIC1394
Description : IEEE1394 Ndis Miniport and Call Manager
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Npfs
Description : NPFS Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Ntfs
Description : NT File System Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NwlnkFlt
Description : NWLINK2 Traffic Filter Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver :

Version : 7.0.2, 5, 0, 200

Driver : msvcirt.dll
Version : 7.0.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)

Driver : mfc42.dll
Version : 6.00.8665.0

Driver : msvcp60.dll
Version : 6.00.8972.0

Driver : msvcp70.dll
Version : 7.00.9466.0

Driver : msvcr70.dll
Version : 7.00.9466.0

Driver : ole32.dll
Version : 5.1.2600.1263 (xpsp2.030819-2129)

Driver : olepro32.dll
Version : 5.0.5014

Driver : oledlg.dll
Version : 1.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)

Driver : advapi32.dll
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)

Driver : comc
Version : 5.82 (xpsp1.020828-1920)

Driver : setupapi.dll
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)

Lower Filters
-------------
Driver : PFC
Description : Padus(R) ASPI Shell
Version : 2, 5, 0, 200
Company : Padus, Inc.

Upper Filters
-------------
Video Codecs
------------
Cinepak Codec by Radius : 1.10.0.6
Studio MP10 Decompressor : 1.00
Intel Indeo(R) Video R3.2
Intel Indeo(R) Video R3.2
Intel Indeo® Video 4.5 : 4.51.16.03
Intel IYUV codec : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Microsoft RLE : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Microsoft Video 1 : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Microsoft YUV : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Intel Indeo® Video Raw R1.2
Microsoft YUV : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Microsoft H.263 Video Codec : 4.4.3400
Microsoft H.261 Video Codec : 4.4.3400
Indeo® video 5.10 : R.5.10.15.2.55
ATI YUV12 Format Codec
ATI YUV12 Format Codec
PCLEPIM1 32-bit Compressor : 2.00

Audio Codecs
------------
Microsoft IMA ADPCM CODEC : 4.00.0.0
Microsoft ADPCM CODEC : 4.00.0.0
Microsoft CCITT G.711 A-Law and u-Law CODEC : 4.00.0.0
Microsoft GSM 6.10 Audio CODEC : 4.00.0.0
DSP Group TrueSpeech(TM) Software CODEC : 1.00.0.0
Microsoft G.723.1 CODEC : 1.02.0.1
Windows Media Audio : 4.02.0.0
Sipro Lab Telecom ACELP.net audio codec : 3.02.0.0
Indeo® audio software : 2.05.0.53
Fraunhofer IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec (advanced) : 1.09.1.49
Microsoft PCM Converter : 5.00.0.0


ASPI Information
----------------
System ASPI : ASPI is installed and working properly

WNASPI32.DLL : 4.71 (0001) 45056 bytes August 14, 2002
ASPI32.SYS : 4.71 (0001) 17005 bytes August 14, 2002
WINASPI.DLL : 4.60 (1021) 5600 bytes August 14, 2002
WOWPOST.EXE : 4.60 (1021) 4672 bytes August 14, 2002

Nero ASPI : ASPI is installed and working properly

WNASPI32.DLL : 2.0.1.59 160016 bytes June 17, 2003