How do I enable my DVD drive's eject button?

[Taxi]

When I press the eject button on my DVD when it has a disc in it, it doesn't eject. I understand this has to do with the drive being mounted, etc. I'm wondering if there is a way to make it so that the software verifies that an optical drive is not actively in use (reading/writing or with data still waiting to be written) and then unmounts and ejects. I am not trying to make it into an emergency override button that ejects no matter what it's doing (I see the value in asking for the OS's permission first).

I realize that it is pretty straightforward to eject from the command line or to make a launcher in the panel to do it or whatever, but I'd really just like to be able to use the built-in hardware button. I tried to research this and came up with the following solution, but I don't know how it would work (if it would be the emergency override eject or just the friendlier kind), what it's actually changing and why, or (most importantly) how to undo it in case it doesn't do what I want it to.

Open Terminal and type/ cut&paste Code: sudo sysctl dev.cdrom.lock=0 now your cd can be ejected by simply clicking on the eject button but if you restart it will no longer be available, to make it permanent, then type Code: sudo sh -c 'echo "dev.cdrom.lock=0" >> /etc/sysctl.conf' Now it will be permanent.

[meborc]

what version of ubuntu are you using? this feature has been enabled since dapper (i think)

[Taxi]

Fully updated Gutsy (upgraded from the original Feisty installation). It shouldn't be the button, either, because it works in BIOS and in Windows and works for closing in Ubuntu, as well as opening with no disc (which I just checked).

[rockinlinux]

im not sure but i dont think you need to do anything. I have never heard of anyone having problems wih this botton unles it is broke. I have a notebook and the botton works fine. I also have a second sats DVD-RW that i use with a SATA to USB cable and that botton works fine (even when i only have the power plugged in and not the USB). Are you sure your botton is not broke? it seems like this is a hardware botton so you wont be able to change it with the os. i could be wrong.

[rockinlinux]

Originally Posted by Taxi Fully updated Gutsy (upgraded from the original Feisty installation). It shouldn't be the button, either, because it works in BIOS and in Windows and works for closing in Ubuntu, as well as opening with no disc (which I just checked).

it sounds like you have a broken piece of hardware to me. but if it works in windows then ?????????

[Taxi]

The button not only works in BIOS and Windows, but also in Ubuntu when there is not a disc in the drive. I believe you when you say that it should work, but the fact is that it is not working and it looks (at least to me) like it's a software issue. Does anyone know of any settings or config options anywhere that could somehow have been set incorrectly? Or does anyone have additional suggestions to help narrow down the problem?

[meho_r]

I have similar problem. My DVDRW drive opens correctly when I press eject button, but DVD drive doesn't. I'm pretty sure it is software problem, because I had the same problem in openSUSE, but I found (somewhere) a configuration option "Ignore drive lock" or something like that that made it work. Not sure how to do this in Ubuntu though

[Taxi]

Originally Posted by meho_r I have similar problem. My DVDRW drive opens correctly when I press eject button, but DVD drive doesn't. I'm pretty sure it is software problem, because I had the same problem in openSUSE, but I found (somewhere) a configuration option "Ignore drive lock" or something like that that made it work. Not sure how to do this in Ubuntu though

Thanks for the confirmation. Does anyone know where this setting would be found in Ubuntu? Also, would it still make sure the drive is not actively being used or is there another way that would be better?

[Taxi]

Does anybody have an idea what's wrong?

[Taxi]

Bump.