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?
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.