Ive got an external Pioneer Bluray burner that shows up intermittently in Windows. I tried to use it in conjunction with Windows DVD Maker to burn some DVDs but it won't show up at all in that software program. Only the built in disc drives (F and G) show up as selectable options. Is there something I have to do to get this software (or other disc burning software) to recognise the external burner?

Before, it was showing up intermittently. I tried it again today and the drive icon stayed onscreen the whole time. And it also showed up in Windows DVD Maker software as a selectable drive. I clicked on 'Burn' and the encoding process started. All was going well until the burning process began. At that point, a message appeared which said: "Cannot create the DVD. The CD / DVD device is no longer responding. Please make sure it is connected to the computer and powered on." At that point, it started making loud noises until I shut it down.

This thing is powered entirely by usb (there are two usb cables I have to connect.) I wonder if the issue could be not enough power is supplied via usb for the burning process? I think it is possible to plug it into the mains power but I don't think the necessary attachment came with the packaging.

If it is a power thing, do you have an external powered USB hub to try?

It's actually connected to such a thing at the moment. Though I wonder if I would see an improvement if I connected the Pioneer unit directly to the mains power (might need to order a new part to do so.) Then again, it's designed to do it's job receiving power through usb.