Strange noises when I put in Blank CD, won't read, then ejects

Whenever I put in a blank CD-R (I am assuming this will happen with CD-ROMs as well), the computer makes a series of clicking and whirring noises, and then after about a minute, it spits the CD back out.
Before it is spit out, it wont read that there is anything in the drive.

I have tried this with 2 disks and the same thing happens both times.

Any ideas?