OS X Not Recognizing External Drive

My harddrive recently died and I got a new one from Apple with Leopard preinstalled on it. I have an external dvd burner since my Macbook does not have one. I never had problems with burning dvds on this drive prior to my drive dying, but not on the fresh install. It was initially working on the fresh install, until yesterday, but not anymore. I have a backup of my previous SL install, and I can verify that the burner still works.

Note: Although unrelated, I've started to notice that applications on the Fresh Install of Leopard are hanging and freezing occasionally, Force quitting won't work. It says it force quit, but I can't relaunch the app without restarting.

Edit: Yes, I know I can restore my hard drive from my backup but I'm choosing not too. Its completely filled and is the same size as my new hard drive. I don't wanna completely fill up a new hard drive. I'm also debating doing a fresh install of Leopard, but I don't wanna do it unless I have to.

Anyone know how to fix these problems?

Thanks,

John

 

Anyone at all?

It has worked countless times before, but now OS X is refusing to even recognize it.

Sorry for double posting, I just need to know if I should make a genius bar appointment or not.