Quote - Have you tried selecting a slower burn speed in nero (there should be a drop-down list).

Are you sure none of the files are currently in use - that can confuse Nero, and seems to have a worse effect during verification than during burning.

I didn't know I could select a different speed.I will check that out. 

Also, the files are zip and .exe files that are in a folder on my desktop and none were in use in anyway while they were being burned to DVD. 

Quote - If you can get yourself a DVD-R disc and see if that makes a difference. I have Nero 6.6.0.13 and have found some DVD+R discs to give me trouble. I also use Nero startSmart  which is part of the Nero software program. Do you have that with your version of Nero? I have used nothing but DVD-R disks and never had a failure with any.

EDIT: Re-reading your post you may have a conflict with the Nero software and your DVD drive. Can you play a commercial DVD or CD with no problems? How about an old disk you've burned in the past will it run?

I do have Nero StartSmart, and I did try it with the 3rd DVD attempt and got the same errors.  I also have something in the menu list called "Nero Backup". I haven't tried that though.

I only have DVD+ disks here, no R- ones.

I tried playing my LoTR DVD and it works just fine.  And the CDs that I have burned using my other computers read fine too.  

Today is the first time I tried to burn anything with this new computer.

Quote - Acadia what type of DVD playeris ti?  Is it a combo drive or just a burner?

I don't know the brand. Is there a way I can find that out?

My invoice only says:    "18x DVD +/- RW DL  and I was told that I could use RW and R CDs and DVDs, even the double layer DVDs that are available.

Quote - Nero sucks period, I used to have it and had no end of problems like you're alluding to here.

Easiest solution!  Bin it and get "RecordNow" instead!
It's very easy and intuitive to use and has so far never given me any problems!

Thank you. I will keep that program in mind if I can't get this working.

Quote - Did you just upgrade to Vista?  I know Nero 6.x will not work with Vista...

No, my computer has XP Pro on it. I tried Vista on the Dell that I returned and it was just horrid!!

Quote - I got a DVD for christmas, and it had a USB connection. Didn't work, until I found out that I needed USB 2 instead of 1. Although...now that I think of it, you have a brand new PC, so that wouldn't be it...never mind...;)

It's the thought that counts :)

Quote - Some times just updating the firmware helps.  The KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR message means it's most likely not a disk thing. It's a new computer and not likely to have had another burner in it using different software so a conflict of two different burning softwares is not the culprit.

I would check the firmware and the driver to see if they are both current and can be used with your OS.

Firmware? What's that?  Also, my hardwear drivers should be up-to-date as it's a new computer.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi