If you have just installed a new DVD drive and its drivers, it should appear in 'My Computer'. This holds for Linux and Windows OS's.
A program can be installed off a CD or DVD, or a flash drive.
To insert a DVD into a MacBook Pro, simply locate the DVD drive on the side of the laptop. Gently push the DVD into the drive until it clicks and the drive pulls it in. The DVD should then appear on your desktop and you can access its contents.
You can install Windows or Linux using a USB memory stick.
It depends on the Linux you are running. There are thousands of Linux distros. It is possible that your distro wasn't intended to run DVD-ROM. But most Linux will run them.
yes
Yes, linux has many drivers for many cd/dvd players.
On a hard drive, CD/DVD, floppy disk, as part of the device's firmware, or over a network with PXE.
Download the ISO images from Linux Mint's website, and burn it to a DVD or a flash drive and boot from it. Once it boots in a live session, on the desktop there is a icon named "Install Linux Mint" and click on it. Then follow the instructions and you'll be on your way to install Linux Mint.
Any USB CD / DVD drive can easily be installed; just plug it into one of the USB ports on the Eee PC. Both Windows XP and Linux should be able to see it; and you can boot from it in the BIOS.
Downloading it does not require a DVD burner; only burning it to a DVD does. If you don't have a DVD burner, there is a smaller CD ISO image you can use to install it (as long as you have a CD burner). You can also use UNetbootin to install it to a USB Flash drive from Windows. If you have another hard drive in your system, you can also install it in "Frugal" mode to that drive, although performance will be somewhat impaired.
The main benefit of using MagicISO software is the ability to access software that is normally only accessible by using a CD or DVD in a CD or DVD drive. The software replicates the exact contents of the CD/DVD on your hard drive whilst making the operating system think its actually a virtual CD/DVD drive.