Windows 7: LG DVD writer so SLOW - Help pls.

Need advice please!!

Just bought an LG GP08LU10 USB external DVD writer (super multi dvd rewriter is LG's name).
It is slow to the point of useless. It takes an est 2 hours plus to write 500MB from my internal HDD to a CD-R. Speed starts out at around 1+MB/s and slows to ~150kB/s. When I use my internal (noisy) ATAPI dvd it takes couple of minutes.

Also, I didn't want to install Nero and have been using Windows explorer to do folder copies.

Reading doesn't seem to be an issue.

I am using the short supplied USB cables (including the power booster cable). I've tried differnt brands of CD-Rs and DVD+R. I think I've allowed all the automatic firmware updates and windows says I've got the latest driver.

I'd really appreciate some help or even comment that this is not some unique issue.

Fully resolved with windows 7 bug fix.