How to: Testing CDROM Drives

Updated on 15th February 2006, by K.Davies

Updated on 2 March 2006, by X.Huang

Overview

This document details the steps involved in testing CDROM devices.  Before you start, locate the CDROM drive tester (usually in the hardware area) and find the box of CDROM drives to test.

Resources Required: CDROM drive tester, CDROM drives to test, and CD-RW disk.
CDROM Specifications: Keep CD-RW 40X or higher, recycle all other CDROMS.

*IMPORTANT: Do not plug in or unplug CD-Drives while tester is turned on*

Process

1)    While the computer is turned off, plug in CDROM drive on the IDE cable marked by an arrow symbol (-->).  Don't forget to attach the power cable too.

2)    Turn on CDROM drive Tester.

3)    Wait for message to appear on screen asking to put a CD-RW in the drive.

4)    Put in the CD-RW and then press Enter.

5)    Wait for the test results to appear on screen. The test results will provide information about the speed of the CDROM drive, whether or not it reads CD-RW, and if it is working satisfactorily. Mark the speed and 'RW' on the tested drive. The testing program will also report if the CDROM drive does not work. If this is the case, mark the CDROM drive as BAD and recycle it.

6)    Eject the disk.

7)    If the CDROM drive passes the CD-RW test, no further test will be conducted on this CDROM drive; If the CDROM drive does not pass the CD-RW test, there is no need to conduct any further test; Just mark this CDROM drive as “BAD” and recycle it.

8)    Hit “return” key. (This will unload the Linux system.)

9)    Record test results on CDROM drive (write on the top, eg: CD-RW X 40 or CDRW x 40) if this has not been done in the step 5.

10)    Hit the power button to turn off the CDROM drive tester completely.

11)    Unplug CDROM drive.

12)    Go back to step 1 to continue testing more CDROM drives.