[George]

I can't help but wonder why we are so certain it was the fault of the burner.

Has the pc been checked to see if the circulating fan was blocked, or not working at all, thus causing excessive heat to cause the cd to melt down and ruin the burner, or the burner to get excessively hot? Not at all beyond the realm of possibility.

I had a fan go out, and because of the inherant noise the drives and burners make, you don't know it until it takes it's toll. Been there.

Not saying it wasn't the fault of the burner, but kinda hate to see MTU caught in the middle of something that may not have had anything to do with the product they marketed, and in which case there would be no warranty to argue over.