In short I need a cheap external disc drive and dont want to cough up the 20$ and buy online so thrift store it is. I cant really come up with a way to test these usually usb powered drives besides somehow setting up a computer or asking the workers for help (doubt they will). Does anyone have an idea to narrow down if a drive is defective or should i just take a chance and hopefully the store has a return policy?
bring a laptop. if you want an external one, they most of the time only need usb and if not, probably a 12V power brick
Most of them will let you take stuff back for a week, even if they’ll only give you a credit note back.
Just take up a portable charger and a mini USB, micro USB, and USB c cord, and a cd.
If they have power, the disk spins up when you put it in, and the eject button works its 98% likely to be just fine.
You can connect it to an android phone with an adapter.
You could try to plug them into a powerbank and put in a disk. See if it spins up normally. It is a bad sign if it repeatedly spins up or down.
I did not try if this works.
A disc you don’t need back. :)
Alrighty this might be plan B if the adapter idea doesnt work appreciate it
Ask to plug it into a working computer they’re selling.
