Really, really weird issue with NEC 3550A

[ioannisds]

Hi, I'm new here to the Video Help forums, though I have lurked for years. I have a very strange issue burning discs on my NEC 3550. I am using Verbatim DVD+Rs, and I am attempting to burn an ISO image using ImgBurn. I've done this lots and lots of times successfully, but this problem is something that I've never seen before...

Image burns fine, finalizes, but I get a coaster. After a couple of these, I did some experimenting with Nero CD-DVD speed, and this is where is gets just plain weird. After burning the disc, I leave it in the drive, and do a disc quality scan with Nero. Everything is peachy, with quality scores of 98 and above. I go as far as scanning a couple of times and doing an average of the scores, just to be sure. THEN, I eject the disc, and magically, I now have a coaster. I reinsert the disc, do a disc quality scan again, and I get a big fat zero on my quality score, even on multiple scans. I just am not getting it. I thought at first it was maybe using a Sharpie to label the discs, but even without being labeled, the result is the same: prior to eject = fine, after eject = poo. Does anyone have any clue at all what is going on here? Thanks for helping me out on this.

[Krispy Kritter]

Have you checked the discs in anotherplayer/drive?

Sounds like a faulty burner, most likely a tracking issue.

If you do need a new drive, I suggest trying a Pioneer 112D. I have been a loyal NEC user (i've got 5 of the 3500 series), but I've had a Pioneer for the last month or so, and it is a much better burner.

[ioannisds]

Yeah, I first discovered the discs were toast while playing them on my standalone Oppo 971H. Thanks for the suggestion on the Pioneer as well, as I feel I'm going to have to go drive hunting sometime soon.