DVD/CD drive (burner) doesn't see blank CD-R or CD-RW

Hello!

My system is a Dimension E510 with two DVD/CD drives one of which is a burner. Both drives work fine, they can read DVD's and CD's containing data or video and I can burn DVD's.

My problem is: I can't burn a CD or backup/transfer hard drive data to a CD.  Nothing happens when I insert a blank CD, followed by the message "please insert a writeable disc" or something equivalent depending on the software.

What I've done over the past few days to try and remedy the problem is:

1. deleted burning software.

2. installed new burning software (3 different programs).

3. run the diagnostic-it could NOT perform the read test with media in each drive or with no media.

4. installed the Nero Info Tool; it could NOT read the blank disc.

5. confirmed that the drives are in Device Manager.

6. uninstalled and reloaded the Secondary IDE controller. Did not mess with the Primary IDE.

7. downloaded drivers from Microsoft or Dell (forgot which site).

8. downloaded new firmware.

9. pray

I have not had any error messages and did not perform step 3 or step 4 clearing the NVRAM, just don't feel competent for the task. 

For what it's worth, during the diagnostics, I changed the Diskette Drive from UBS to Internal and changed the HDD Accoustic Mode from Bypass to Suggested. Also, the following appears at the start of the diagnostics:

Dell DMO51 Series

Bios version AO2

Drive  1 not found: Serial ATA, Sata-2

Floppy diskette seek failure                      (there is no floppy installed)

If this problem can't be resolved and I need to buy a new burner can you tell me how to determine if I need an IDE or SATA, I see both mentioned in either the diagnostics or device manager.

Thanks for reading this. I would be grateful for any suggestions.