My Creative 8432 will burn CD-rW fine, but when a CD-r is put in it goes through the motions and reports back that the disc burned successfully, but it actually does nothing! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I make it a rule to never disparage someones hardware, all burners have their uses. Your Creative 8432 will make a lovely paperweight or doorstop.
Creative were never known for their quality products or aftersales service.
Given that 8x4x32 burners haven't been sold new for a couple of years now (even by Creative) I would hazzard a guess that you have received a number of years solid service from this burner and so wouldn't feel to hard done by in replacing it now.

Try cleaning the burner http://www.deinmeister.de/cdrep_e.htm , failing that retire it and update to a faster, more reliable non 'Creative' burner.