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mamaforestcritter

Member

Registered: 2025-12-28

Posts: 25  

Is there a way to find/open usb device without terminal commands?

Hi I am running with Xfce on a DELL Optiplex T5600. Is there an easy way to find usb connected devices? If not, what would be the simplest terminal access? I am trying to upload pictures from my camera and I am a little lost without a "devices" menu. Also possibly a separate issue, I can't find my CD drive...don't shoot the newbie, it seems to be the easy stuff that trips me up. I had no problem installing with a USB. Any help is appreciated.

fsmithred

Administrator

Registered: 2016-11-25

Posts: 2,988  

Re: Is there a way to find/open usb device without terminal commands?

Main menu:
Applications -> Settings -> Removable Drives and Media
Then check appropriate boxes.

Thunar file manager:
Devices should show up in the left side panel. I don't recall if I had to change any settings to get that. That would either be in Edit -> Preferences or View.

kapqa

Member

Registered: 2019-01-02

Posts: 765  

Re: Is there a way to find/open usb device without terminal commands?

hello ,

one command that can function is

sudo lsusb

it would likst you connected usb devices; if your cd drive is listed there, depends on wether it is an usb-connected-dvd/cd/bluray-drive in the first place, of course; sometimes, one usb port may have gone bit loose and wont power the usb-drive enough, that could be an issue;
if it is sata drive, the command is another one, which dont have present; but sometimes, depending on distro, had also issues with DVD drive not showing up properly; but it could be also that the drive itself is bit faulty, which happens; i have a newer bluray drive now which i cherish quite; to me, it is still an essential part of computer.

for making camera visisble, think it depdens a bit on the firmware of the camera; but in principle, linux is a lot more flexible than say macos with cameras, and you should have no problem whatsoever pulling the pictures off it.

EDIT: now that you mention it, found that my bluray-drive is also not listed under "devices" which is a bit odd; however, when i put a media into it, the device suddenfly shows-up.
i use Mate Desktop atm; and the Caja File manager seems rather limited, or not so much updated since a  while (may be wrong about it; credits syy 1999-2009, 2011-2021) version 1.26.4)

Last edited by kapqa (Yesterday 17:20:22)

Mercury

Member

Registered: 2024-11-14

Posts: 52  

Re: Is there a way to find/open usb device without terminal commands?

CD drive should appear in /media/cdrom when there is a readable disc inside.

Regular USB flash drives should also appear under /media but you need the gvfs package installed (which it should be if you picked the typical options during install, basically anything other than minimal).

The camera will depend on how it presents itself. If it's an MTP device you will need the appropriate packages to read from it.