Ok, guys, thanks for the help. I have finally discovered what the problem is. The computer recognized the DVD player, the CD as a player and writer, but won't recognize the DVD as a writer. So now I will have to figure out why.
Thor, Chris and PG thanks for the advice, I will look into you links. But one question. This computer, before I got it was used in a business. It only had an 80 GB HD, and is a pretty basic computer that I have upgraded as much as I know how, but for $168 it was a buy. Could it be, and I am asking because here I am in the dark, that the firmware that was installed needs to be, whatever, or could there be another reason why the computer won't recognize the DVD writer.