This is what I use, although I did have some trouble recently attempting to use CDBurnerXP to convert a Nero image file (.nrg) to an .iso file so I could burn it. The program does have an option to convert it, but in my case it didn’t work. I used a freeware NRG-to-ISO converter and it worked fine.
Other than that, for normal burning/copying operations I haven’t found any downside to CDBurnerXP, which is (as you noted) freeware.
By the way, CDBurnerXP will burn data DVDs, but for video DVDs, InfraRecorder is good, easy and free.
yay! I’ll look for that one.
I didn’t mean to abandon this thread; I thought it had dropped dead.
I found out that my problem wasn’t with Nero after all. My old cd/dvd read/write device was going out. It has now died a terrible screaming death.
Thanks for all the inputs; I do appreciate them.
i see reviews that the current versions of InfraRecorder come with a addon payload that some would consider malware.
Ugh. Will Kaspersky catch it and block it, or should I keep looking for another program? 
i dunno, i just saw reviews of current version on software download site.
Used to be my favorite CD burner app back in the day - mostly because of the hilarious name/icon combo (Nero Burning Rom(e) and a picture of the Colosseum burning) - funny stuff I thought 
Anywho, got bloated, plenty of better/free options now. (Not that I’ve burnt a CD/DVD in what - two years, three…)