[ubuntu-za] Samsung external DVD writer not seen in Karmic

[Hannes Coetzee]

William Gebers wrote:
> Hi Robin.
>
> 2009/12/18 Robin Bownes <robin at ncedatrust.org.za 
> <mailto:robin at ncedatrust.org.za>>
>
>     I have just bought a Samsung SE-S084 external USB DVD writer
>     because the DVD drive in my notebook (Compaq nx9000) is shot.
>     However, Karmic does not recognise the drive. The 'Computer'
>     folder sometimes displays an icon for a CD/DVD drive, but even
>     this icon appears and disappears from one second to another. Is
>     there a drive necessary? I was under the impression that a USB
>     drive should actually just work.
>
>     Please help, and since I'm still relatively new to Linux, please
>     keep the instructions really basic and step-by-step. Thanks.
>
> Not sure if it is the same drive that I have, but here are a few 
> suggestions:
>
> 1) Check that you have a dual supply cable.  i.e. if it is USB 
> powered, both USB connectors need to be plugged in to give it enough 
> power.
> 2) Does the light on the dvd writer come on and does the drive open if 
> you push the open button?  If not, then the USB device is not being 
> recognized at all.
> 3) If you insert a dvd does the disk spin up?  You may want to try 
> rebooting the machine with the usb drive plugged in and a working disk 
> in it. 
>
> I have a samsung external drive for my netbook, which I find works 
> intermittently.  The best solution I have found is to unplug the 
> device and plug it back in until the device is recognized appropriately.
>
> Regards,
>
> William
>  
>
>     Robin
>
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>
Open Terminal or Konsole and plug in your drive. Wait about 30 seconds, 
run "dmesg | tail -n 20" (without "") and post the output here.

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