How do you test to see if your DVD drive is broken

[JerryF]

Also, a suggestion---a 4 GB USB is really cheap and reusable. Great for burning ISO images to be used for installing OSes and as an emergency live Mint for troubleshooting.

[Joe2Shoe]

I burn many .iso files to blank DVDs using xfburn without any problems.
I always set the speed to 2, and leave everything else as it is (default).
Give it a try.

[JerryF]

I burn many .iso files to blank DVDs using xfburn without any problems.
I always set the speed to 2, and leave everything else as it is (default).
Give it a try.

As mrniceguy already stated in his original post, he's used xfburn.

[Joe2Shoe]

JerryF, I suggested that he change his settings, as those he was using weren't working. One wrong setting and a wasted disc.

[JerryF]

JerryF, I suggested that he change his settings, as those he was using weren't working. One wrong setting and a wasted disc.

Understood, sorry.

[mrniceguy]

...
So I think the DVD drive may be busted. Is this common?
What would have caused it to stop working?
Is replacing a laptop drive DIY?
...

Drives do break down.
Usually, the moving parts start to give out.
I've replaced a few and they're usually easy.

Run the following command from Terminal, then copy and paste the result in between [code][/code] tags. It's the </> button above where you type a message.

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inxi -Fxz

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mrniceguy@mrniceguy-Lenovo-3000-G550 ~ $ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: mrniceguy-Lenovo-3000-G550 Kernel: 4.4.0-138-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 4.8.4)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 2.8.8 (Gtk 3.10.8~8+qiana)
           Distro: Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa
Machine:   System: LENOVO product: 2958 v: Lenovo 3000 G550
           Mobo: LENOVO model: KIWA7 v: REFERENCE
           Bios: LENOVO v: 18CN19WW(V1.05) date: 05/27/2009
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core2 Duo T6500 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 ssse3) bmips: 8380
           clock speeds: max: 2100 MHz 1: 2100 MHz 2: 2100 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 4 Series Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.17.1 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@59.6hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Mobile Intel GM45 Express
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.5.9 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-138-generic
Network:   Card-1: Intel PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN [Shiloh] Network Connection
           driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 04:00.0
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Broadcom NetLink BCM5906M Fast Ethernet PCI Express
           driver: tg3 v: 3.137 bus-ID: 07:00.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 500.1GB (3.3% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD5000BPKX size: 500.1GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 455G used: 12G (3%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/dm-1
           ID-2: /boot size: 236M used: 101M (46%) fs: ext2 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-3: swap-1 size: 4.22GB used: 0.35GB (8%) fs: swap dev: /dev/dm-2
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 61.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 217 Uptime: 16:46 Memory: 2765.8/3884.8MB
           Init: Upstart runlevel: 2 Gcc sys: 4.8.4
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.111) inxi: 2.2.28 

I don't see any DVD drive there, even though the DVD drive shows up in 'Disks'.

I cleaned the only thing that looked like it has anything to do with the opticals, a tiny glass bead in the middle of the DVD tray, but it made no difference.

I guess I'll buy something to replace it, either a new DVD drive, or a USB stick, or a DVD drive that connects to a USB port.

[JerryF]

I should have added a small d to that.

Can you post

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inxi -dx

[JerryF]

Just took a look at a Lenovo G550 user manual and it looks like it's very easy to replace a DVD drive:

Shutter_011.jpg

[mrniceguy]

I should have added a small d to that.

Can you post

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inxi -dx

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mrniceguy@mrniceguy-Lenovo-3000-G550 ~ $ inxi -dx
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 500.1GB (3.3% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD5000BPKX size: 500.1GB
           Optical: /dev/sr0 model: MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ880AS
           rev: 1.00 dev-links: cdrom
           Features: speed: 24x multisession: yes
           audio: yes dvd: yes rw: cd-r,cd-rw,dvd-r,dvd-ram state: running

So it does find the DVD drive

[Joe2Shoe]

Usually there is a retaining screw on the bottom of the laptop that holds the DVD drive in. Unscrew that screw, then poke a large paper clip about 1/4-1/3" straight into the small hole on the DVD drive. The tray should open, and you may be able to pull the drive out that way.
On some laptops, the retaining screw is on the inside of the laptop and the top or bottom of the laptop must be removed to access that retaining screw.
Replace the DVD drive and the screw and/or reassemble the laptop case.
Good luck.

[Joe2Shoe]

My bad DVD drives did show up in Drives, etc., but they were defective. It's just reading the BIOS chip in the drive at that point. But, it's probably bad.
I always replace CD/DVD readers with CD/DVD burners.

[JerryF]

So it does find the DVD drive

It certainly does, so you know the system see it. Unfortunately, that's not an indication it works properly.

As I showed in the manual, very easy to replace.

I recently removed my DVD drive from my refurbished laptop. It was acting up, somewhat similar to what's happening to yours.

I eventually:
Removed the DVD drive
Removed the hard drive and replaced it with an SSD
Bought a DVD drive caddy converter to hold the old hard drive
Now I have the SSD for Mint and the old hard drive solely for backups.

No more DVD drive, but I really don't miss it.

[mrniceguy]

I bought a USB flash drive. Do I have to format it first? I read that they come formatted in FAT32 or NTFS and Linux can't boot off those formats, so...

[JerryF]

Usually, no, you don't have to format it. If you're going to burn a Mint ISO onto the USB, it's usually done as FAT32. A live Mint will boot from that.

If you're going to burn the USB using Windows, Rufus is a good program to use.

[rene]

If you are going to be creating the USB from Mint, Accessories -> USB Image Writer will work.