Nero Support is Crap...

I actually bought Nero 8 but it won't work with my PC.. I eventually got a rather generic reply back to the tune of :

Dear Mr. Bennett,

thank you for your e-mail.

We were able to reproduce the problem and it will be fixed with one of our future updates of Nero 8. The message in the event history log does not have any effect on the functionality of your Nero software. Please be patient a little while until this update is available and kindly excuse any inconvenience.

The Power Calibration Error has nothing to do with this.

Power Calibration is controlled by the recorder. Before any write operation, all recorders must do a 15 step power test to determine the optimum power for writing to the CD; this is called "Optimum Power Calibration"(OPC). And during the write, it continues to do this test to get the best write throughout the whole CD; this is called "Running Optimum Power Calibration" (ROPC). This whole process is controlled by the recorder, though initiated by programs such as Nero. There is an area on the inner part of the CD for the test and test data info to be stored. You can use this area up to 999 times.
So, when you receive the "Power Calibration Error" or "Power Calibration Area full" error message, then the cause will be either poor media, poor Power, or a defective Recorder.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

1)
Update the firmware of your recorder drive:
Please contact the manufacturer of the recorder in order to get the latest firmware for your recorder.
An old firmware can cause compatibility problems as well as burn failures.
Firmware upgrades for your recorder are provided only by the Manufacturer of your recorder. All firmware upgrades and support for upgrading your recorder’s firmware must be provided by either the recorder manufacturer or the OEM you purchased your recorder bundle from. We can not assist you in this, sorry.
Legal disclaimer:
"Nero AG is not liable for firmware updates as these updates are not offered by Nero AG. All updates are performed at one’s own risk. Nero AG will not be liable for the legality of the firmware."

2)
Try another brand of recordables:
Try recordables from different manufacturers, such as TDK, Verbatim, Imation, Yamaha, HP,...
Also contact the manufacturer of your recorder drive and ask for tested and recommended recordables for your recorder drive.

3)
Check power connector:
Also try different power connectors, and for recorders, do not share power with other devices. It needs its own power connector. If this occurs with an external recorder drive, the power source in the chassis should be checked. Take the recorder out of the external chassis, and connect it internal, as a test.

4)
Try different configurations:
Take the CD-/DVD-ROM to the Primary IDE bus as Slave, and have only the recorder connected to the Secondary IDE bus as Master.

5)
Send the recorder in for service:
The optical head of the recorder may have to be cleaned or serviced. Other possible causes are open coils and/or blown diodes/resistors. The only solution here is to send the recorder to the manufacturer for inspection.

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Best Regards,

Jonathan Peuker
Nero Support

Yeah right -- Stroke My P...