CNET

Sony CD-RW firmware upgrade fixes Mac problem; requires Windows to install

Sony has posted a CRX 1600L-A2 Firmware Upgrade vBC0828 for this CD-RW FireWire drive. The Web page states: "This Firmware Upgrade can be installed under Windows 98, ME, and 2000 Operating Systems.
CNET

Odds and Ends: Problems burning to external CD-R(W) drives under Panther? Knowledge Base updates

Problems burning to external CD burners under Panther? MacFixIt reader Michael Parsons notes that he's received reports from two users he supports regarding issues with burning CDs on external ...
The Washington Post

CD-RW Drives Harder to Choose but Easier to Use

The 1.44-megabyte floppy-disk drive is an endangered species largely because its primary predator, the CD-rewritable drive, uses media that can store up to 700MB per disk and costs only about $100. CD ...
Ars Technica

Cleaning CD-RW drive

Do not blow into it with canned air, that only makes the problem worse IME. You could try a lens cleaning CD. I bought one many years ago, and it's fixed several problems, and it's really freakin easy ...