LinuxQuestions.org - microsolutions backpack usb dvd+rw wont play dvds

Howdy all.

Ive got a microsolutions dvd+rw drive that seems to work fine for reading cds, writing cds, and writing dvd+rw (with the caveat that I have to use the dead slowest speed for writing dvd or I get hangs requiring reboot of system. Further note the system doesn't hang but it no longer recognizes the dvd drive even when un- and re-plugged on the bus. Final note re writing dvds I mean iso not actual righteous dvd for standalone dvds player).

Back to dvd playing, I get the first few seconds of a dvd (audio and video are fine) and then the player locks up. I have tried xine, ogle and others. Just wondering if someone else had experience with this device. I thought for a while it was dvd menus but I don't think so lately.

Ive tried under redhat 9 and more recently debian. The redhat bloat pissed me off a couple weeks ago and I burned a debian disk and have been quite happy with it so far. Seems a little shaky to find bleeding edge debs and its always funky to config/make/install on a system with its own packaging system. One of these days Ill switch to slack and set up a bootstrap script that will take 20 hours and download compile and install all the bleeding edge stuff. Sorting out the proper order might be dicey ...

Anyway, any tips on the backpack from someone who successfully played a dvd would be appreciated.