DVD and CD writer so temperamental. Driving me mad

[k71k71k71]

I have An ARTEC VPP-16D40W rewriter and Ricoh dvd/cdwriter
The artec DVD writer came with “Sonic DLA” ever since I installed the Artec and sonic I have had problems writing to both CDs and DVD .
The Sonic supposedly programme makes the Discs compatiable to play in many players.
“Sonic” also says that all blank media Must be formatted first.
The problem is that both writers will only work some of the time seem very temperamental.
Even the Formatting side seems inconsistent one minute it will work without formatting the next it wont.
Sometimes after formatting DVD Rs or CDRs the drives will say “disc is full please insert blank disc” have wasted umpteen discs .
I thought may be it was because I was using cheap media but it doesn’t make any difference even with branded media still both drives only work some of the time no rime or reason.
Using XP service pack 2
Appreciate any help.

[hech54]

Formatting is for data. Dump Sonic Whatever. You do not need to use the crapware that came with the burner.