CD/DVD won't write CDs

I've searched this group and the Internet for days, and had my PC into
the shop that built it and still cannot write a CD from Windows.

Here's the story:
Last week, I tried to write to my CD/DVD-RW drive (LiteOn Atapi
DVD/CD+RW DH20A4P) and got the error "E:\ is not accessible. Illegal
Function" when I tried to open a blank CD. I was able to burn a CD with
Nero 6.6.14
I found all the articles from Microsoft on how to fix this problem and
none of them worked.
I took my PC back to the computer store that installed the drive in
Dec. 2008 last Monday and they kept it until Thursday. They tried to
install my original CDRW drive, which also won't write CDs anymore.
They also tried all the fixes on Microsoft's website.

In addition, I did the following: before I took it in:
- tried deleting the Upper/lower filters in Registry per MS article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060
- tried changing the drive type from 1 to 2 to 3 to 2. I do not have
the "recording" tab on the the drive properties so can't set that
- tried installing Service Pack 3 for XP
The computer dealer did these things while they had it:
- tried re-enabling the IMAPI CD service
- tried utilities provided by MIcrosoft sites to fix the CD problems
- Uninstalled Nero 6.6
- still couldn't burn CDs
- installed Nero 7 Essentials, which came with the new drive - problem
persisted.
- "Refreshed" the operating system
They could not fix it after all that, and wanted to wipe my PC and start
over, which would be a major chore and take me 6 months to get back to
working order, so I declined that suggestion.

After I brought it home, I have:
- Spent hours trying to get my computer back to where it was before this
problem happened as many of my software programs had to re-install
themselves or be re-set up after the refresh of the operating system.
- Let Windows update re-install all security patches offered (except IE
7 & 8 and a few other drivers known to be not needed or previously
caused problems)
- re-run the fixes offered on Microsoft's website, changed the drive
type from 1 to 2 to 3 and back to 2 - no change.
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316529/)
- restored the upper/lower filter registry entries previously deleted,
then ran the fix provided on Microsoft's website to delete the
upper/lower filters; http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060/
confirmed they are gone.
Microsoft suggests this problem is related to Roxio or EasyCreator in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315350/ (I've never had those).
- uninstalled Nero 7 Essentials
- uninstalled iTunes (because one of the MS fixes referenced that program)
- at each step, re-checked to see if I could burn CDs. Shut down and
restarted my computer more times that I can count to make sure
everything is installed correctly.
No other CD burning software has ever been installed that I am aware
of other than Nero (versions 5, 6, 7) and iTunes (not sure it even does it)

From this group, I tried Doug Knox's CD-DVD fix and rebooted. Still no
recording tab. Again, tried the change of the Drive key as described in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316529/. Still no luck
I currently have no CD burning software on my PC and Windows won't
burn CDs.
I don't know where to turn for help.
Thank you in advance for anyone who can help.

Barbara