You don’t mention “burn-proof” does you writer have this? Be sure it is enabled
What speed are you using? Try 1:1 or 2X
You could try going back to you pre-update software (off the CD?) there may be a glitch in the update.
If you rip to the hard disk is there still a problem?
You mention copy protection; there are quite a few ways cp works you do know cp may be built into your burner software!!? Like macrovision on video. This is my guess you’re hitting “artefacts”
DMA needs to be enabled has this been changed?
You scandisk and de-frag every week don’t you?
Let us know how you go on there lot’s of things to try.