I got the same output from the 'cdrecord -checkdrive' so I don't think that the 'fatal error' portion of the output is necessarily a problem.
Try downloading Microlite Edge backup software from...
Run 'hwconfig -hc' to list cd-rom's that are installed, even DVD-RW devices show as cd-rom. Then use the data on the right side of the output to determine the scsi address of the device.
Run 'ls -l...