driver question

can you use the driver board out of a regular 3-5mw red laser pointer to power the 250mw dvd diode?

and how do you tell the true mw of a laser? i got a green one they said its 30mw, but i dont know, if i put a black spot on my hand i can feel the laser it gets pretty hot. any way back to the driver question, i have a old laser pointer and 3 dvd burners with class 3b diodes 200 - 250mw. want to make something cool so if it will work please let me know thank you...

a 5mw driver could power a 250mw laser but it would probably only output 5mw still. there is lots of info for this on the forum already

you can use math to find an approximate theoretical value or you can buy a power meter or send the laser to someone to have it tested for power.