DVD drives mulfunction

[yurka]

The PC is about 10 years old, quite slow but, in general, functional. OS is WinXP Pro.
The problem: both optical drives give me the same error: When I am trying to burn a disk, the SW announces: "please insert a recordable disc into drive XYZ". If I open My Computer and click Properties, I see the following: used space: 4.7GB, O bytes, free space: 0 bytes.
If there is a simple and quick fix, I'll do it. If not - I'll buy a new PC.
Thank you.

[dneilson]

I'd try running a cleaning disk on those drives--Radio Shack or a Music store will have one.

[yurka]

I'd try running a cleaning disk on those drives--Radio Shack or a Music store will have one.
Thank you. dneilson. I'll do it now and let you know results.

[Welshjim]

yurka--Lots of ideas here if that cleaning disk did not help.
http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question...8012135AAsMQab

Do other disks which you believe to be unused behave the same?

[yurka]

Yes, all of them, with a sligt difference: the SW asks for "a recordable disc" when a 4.7GB inserted; if 8.5GB is inserted, it does burn it, although Properties says "no free space", the same as in4.7GB case!

[SpywareDr]

Newegg's normally $16.99 (including shipping) ASUS 24X DVD/CD burner is on sale for 15% less today if use promo code "EMCNBHG35" at checkout. That makes the grand total a mere $14.45, including shipping.