>> The backup script I wrote first makes the ISO
  >> image of selected files, then blanks the disk,
  >> then records. During the blanking sequence it runs
  >> fine until the very end, when it's doing some sort
  >> of finalizing magic,

  Nancy> I believe this is area is finalizing the session ( closing the session )..

  Nancy> sometimes this can take longer than the actual burn itself ..

  Nancy> cdrecord does im happy to say do it properly ...

I'm using cdrecord. It hangs.

  Nancy> 1.    trying a newer version of cdrecord

Yes.

  Nancy> 2.    see if there are any reports of Firmware issues if so upgrade it

I should try that. But one day it worked, the next day
it didn't.

-- 
Lynn David Newton
Phoenix, AZ