Strange Optical drive problem

[Nigel Henry]

On Tuesday 04 November 2008 03:42, squareyes wrote:
> Leonard Chatagnier wrote:
> > --- On Mon, 11/3/08, squareyes <squareyes at internode.on.net> wrote:
> >> From: squareyes <squareyes at internode.on.net>
> >> Subject: Strange Optical drive problem
> >> To: "Ubuntu user technical support, not for general discussions"
> >> <ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com> Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 7:35 PM
> >> Hi all,
> >> have posted this problem before, may some new info.
> >>
> >> Machine Lenovo 0687  Optical drive will work OK to install
> >> both WinXP
> >> and Ubuntu 8.04,
> >> but once systems installed no longer exists. Will not read
> >> any CD's
> >> after install in both XP or Ubuntu,
> >> but will still look at bootable Disks after either system
> >> installed,
> >> e.g. will run live gparted cd. Knoppix.
> >> Any ideas much appreciated, Lenovo's only suggestion
> >> was to update bios,
> >> which I have done.
> >
> > No expert here by any stretch but have you:
> >
> > Unmounted the cd drive before removing the disk? Seem that can be a
> > problem from what I've seen on the list.
> >
> > Installed the w32codecs and w64codecs if using 64 bit ubuntu. If you have
> > 64 bit I think you may need both but for sure you need 32 bit if not on a
> > 64 bit machine. Also enable the mediabuntu mirror. How to enable it was
> > mentioned on the list this month but I don't remember the details.
> > Googling should get you there.
> >
> > If this doesn't solve your issue then wait for better help as this is all
> > I remember.
> >
> > Leonard Chatagnier
> > lenc5570 at sbcglobal.net
>
> Thanks Leonard,
> drive works to install, but will not look at any nonbootable cd's
> Ran lshw, and there is no cdrom listed.
> Winton

Just a thought, as I recollect a similar problem in the past, where if the 
cdrom was first in the boot list in the BIOS, the optical drive had problems 
when the machine was booted up.

It may be worth a try, to change the boot order, and put the harddrive to boot 
first, then see if there are any changes when you boot up.

My problem was after replacing a broken Sony optical drive, with a new Samsung 
combo drive.

Nigel.