dvd recorder error message

[encee]

i have a samsung cmbination dvd/video recorder
which has worked b4.i use it mainly to copy my old video's onto dvd but now all of a sudden i can still use the video and copy tv progs onto video but when i now try to use the dvd part for anything it does not want to work
all i geyt when i put any dvd in is..The disk cannot be played please check disc.even a dvd cleaner is the same.has anyone any ideas on this one please.i cannot play any dvd's even pre recorded ones which i know are ok.
i do hope someone can help me on this one cos there has always been someone on here with an answer to most of my questions.thanks in advance

[romko]

your drive has probably failed. you can try dismantling the unit, hopefully the actual DVD drive is a PC IDE plug in module.

Open this up and gently clean the lens with a q tip dipped in head cleaner fluid or pure alcohol from a chemists'. replace and try. if this fails you will need to get a new drive, they die like flies.