This subject was posted about a month ago but I didn't see one particular issue addressed. I just installed the Sony DRU500AX, which is an internal drive, and made a point based on earlier advice, NOT to install any of the software that comes with the drive, and also uninstalled InCD that came with Nero, and also deactivated Norton Antivirus.
As a result the drive not only writes fine, but even will rewrite a DVD+RW disc which it wouldn't do until I removed InCD and Norton Antivirus from the process.
The remaining problem, though not a deal-breaker, is that after DVD-A burns me a DVD, the tray automatically opens so the disc can be removed, but then the tray is dead. No amount of button-pushing or waiting will activate it. The DVD-A software keeps working (unlike before, when it froze rewriting a +RW disc), but the tray won't retract unless I reboot the computer. Any ideas?