GoKawiilValve developer adds CD-ROM support to Steam Frame kernel within a day of user request
A Steam Frame user posted in Valve's forums asking for external optical drive support so they could watch movies and install older disc-based games. A Valve developer, gaberowe, responded the next day and pushed a kernel commit enabling the feature in under 10 minutes, adding it to the SteamOS ARM Linux kernel repository used for the device.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The fix simply enabled an existing Linux kernel option rather than building new functionality, which explains the quick turnaround. It doesn't guarantee the feature will ship in an official Steam Frame update, but it signals that Valve is actively monitoring and responding to user feedback on its new hardware platform.
- A user requested CD-ROM drive support for the Steam Frame in Valve's forums on Oct. 18.
- Valve developer gaberowe added the capability to the kernel source within about a day, taking under 10 minutes to implement.
- The change enables a pre-existing Linux kernel feature rather than new code, and isn't yet confirmed for an official software release.
Valve Steam Frame VR Headset — This is the very headset at the center of the story, and its open Linux-based system is what let Valve add CD-ROM drive support so quickly. If you want a VR device that's actively being tweaked and expanded based on community requests, the Steam Frame is worth checking out. Pair it with an external USB optical drive to relive your old-school disc-based games and movies on the go.
See Valve Steam Frame VR Headset on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tomshardware.com — Jowi Morales, 2026-10-24
Published there as: “Valve adds CD-ROM drive support to Steam Frame kernel, took less than ten minutes”
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