I dont have a clue, but thats what Dell support said to me when I called.  The dell support guy walkedme through a few test regarding my cd-rw.  Ran in safe-mode and found that it does work.  Then he said that one then programs are conflicting, with burner software.  Thats real hard believe, consider the fact that its not installed in my pc.  Im starting to lose my patient with this issue...

What do you think is conflicting?  You must have had a reason to post this.

There is a Windows XP burning software installed by default but I've never seen it interfere with any other program.

There have been some isolated cases of the Windows XP CD burning interferring with other CD burning programs.  The Windows CD burning can be disabled.  In the Windows Explorer, RIGHT click on the CD-RW drive icon then LEFT click on Properties. Click the Recording Tab and then uncheck the box for "Enable CD Recording on this Drive".

What CD burning program are you using?  The Sonic Record Now that comes with many newer Dell's?  The Sonic DLA (drag to disc/UDF formatting program) or have you installed some other CD burning program?  If you have Sonic and then also installed another program such as Nero or Roxio, you can only have one "UDF" formatting program and if you have more than one there will be conflicts.  e.g. the Sonic DLA is a UDF formatting program, Nero's is InCd and Roxio's is Drag to Disc. 

I have Sonic DLA and sonic record now.  I disabled the windows  Xp burning just like suggested still same result.  When i open sonic right away it says "no cd/rw drive detected" and then closes.  I have nero and sonic but only sonic is install right now which do u recommend Nero or Sonic? 

It is listed as being ready in the device manager?

 

Yes it is, device manger shows my cd-rw drive and that itis enabled

Check the info in this link.  See if anything there pertains to your problem.  It's a compilaton of many issues with Dell CD/DVD problems.   Click Me