DVD writer will only write at 2X.

Recently, my dvd writer began to only write at 2X. Last week (last burn session 10/16/09) I had the capacity to burn up to 8X (max of laptop burner -I also have an external burner HP). Initially thought it was a problem with media (verbatim 16X), so I purchased 2 additional brands, both 16X (staples & HP both in -R & +R, to which last week -/+ worked at up to 8X), now -R will only write at 2X and +R shows a write of up to 8X (but upon re-insertion that +R shows as blank). I'm aware that media normally dictates write speed, but I find it hard to believe that 3 separate brands have this manufactured defect.

I primarily use Nero 7 as burning software, I also have burnAware and ashampoo 9 installed all show -R as being writable at 2X only.

My laptop has video and pix 40gb (form other sources at reunion about 20gb more) from a family reunion -
I've looked at the device mgr and DMA is selected.

Dell Inspiron 1501
Vista Home Prem 32 bit
AMD Turion 64 2X 1.9ghz
2gb RAM
Service Pack 1

I'm not a pc novice but i'm also not a techie

Please Help I would like to save a copy and send copies to family

The first thing I would try is remove Nero, download the Nero removal tool, and run that. Get Imgburn and install it. In the Imgburn Write Options page check the box "lock drive exclusive access" and insert a disc and try to burn. If it gives an error that another software has control of the drive, I would try uninstalling and disabling all burning sw except for Imgburn until it will lock and load. If you get exclusive access and it shows DMA mode in the log, then it's probably not a software problem. I'll bow to the hardware guys for their input if that's the case. But my diagnostic exercise doesn't cost you anything.

If you have Nero InCD installed I definitely advise taking that off for good whatever happens. It's just a conflict waiting to happen.