burner plays CDs, not DVDs

[cprdrrn41]

My burner will play and burn CDs, but will not recognize any DVD. I have used this burner for about 8 months without any problems. About two weeks ago I started having problems reading some DVDs. I also had some system problems so I reformatted my hard drive. Since that time I have not been able to read a DVD. The burner just runs for a little while and then just stops, no error message or nothing. My burner is a TDK 440N external "USB 2". I have made many back ups with this burner and I am wondering if I did something wrong when I reformatted my hard drive??? I am running a Dell computer with windows XP (service pack 1). I am very happy with the reformat, except for the burner not working. Everything else works perfectly. I also have a DVD-ROM, CD-RW that work great. As I have said before I can burn CDs with the TDK, but I can't do anything with DVDs. Any help in some direction would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[Capmaster]

I would try the following:

Remove the hardware in the Device Manager listing. Reboot and let Windows reinstall it.

Try another USB port.

Use a laser lens cleaner (about ten bucks at WalMart). I believe the combo writers have two different wavelength lasers for CD and DVD. If the DVD lens is dirty, it might show the symptoms you're describing.

[cprdrrn41]

OK I have uninstalled the hardware, restarted, hooked up the burner and windows installed it, but still have the same problem. Also, I have cleaned the lens. Still same problem. This burner has one laser and one lens. I am at a loss why it can read, play and burn CDs, but will not recognize any DVD. I was hoping it might be an issue with Windows XP???? I haven't a clue??? Any other ideas????