Plextor PlexWriter 8/4/32 (PX-W8432TI) CD
Contents
1. 10 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Hard dok connected an mastar Preniary IDE Port Coract EE N ns mests Secondary ME Port Hard disk cannected ay maalar Secondary ME Fort Secondary ME Fort Figure 6 Typical IDE Configurations for Connecting the PlexWriter Drive Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter How to Install the PlexWriter Hard disk connected St slave Cannect CD ROM ane we slavo CD ROM drive connecter as dave Connac Pioniro as master Hart dsk connected as master Connac Pree firiter an master Set Pex Writer s jumper to Sot PiexWintory Jumper to cs SM Sat PiexWinitor Jumper t0 os S M PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 11 Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter About Cable Select The Cable Select jumper position sets the PlexWriter drive to use the CSEL signal from the IDE interface for configuration This signal automatically selects the correct Master Slave setting for the PlexWriter To use CSEL you must have e A computer that supports CSEL e A special CSEL IDE cable To use the host interface CSEL signal for configuration set the PlexWnter s jumper to CABLE SELECT CABLE SELECT MASTER SAVE Figure 7 Using the CSEL Signal to Configure the PlexWriter Drive Install the PlexWriter Drive Before proceeding to install the PlexWriter drive in your personal computer double check your jumper setting Record the Serial Number2. 17 IDE 13 power for drive 13 cable connections 16 cable select 12 CD playing on Macintosh 28 reading 1 writing 1 CD Res Q 22 CD Audio 27 error messages 32 playing 27 CD R media 25 CD R RW writing to 28 CD ROM media 25 CD RW reading from 28 CD RW media 25 cleaning disc 26 configuration CSEL 12 connection soundboard and 17 connector audio output 5 contacts 47 controls front panel 4 44 rear panel 44 cover panel bay 14 CSEL signal 12 D device driver 21 dimensions 44 disc cleaning 26 specifications 43 troubleshooting 32 DISC indicator 4 DMA disabling 30 enabling 19 drive installing 12 recognizing in Windows 95 98 17 recognizing in Windows NT 18 E emergency eject hole 4 enabling DMA 19 environmental conditions 44 F firmware revision 2 front panel controls 4 44 H headphone jack 4 I IDE cable 13 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 49 Index IDE configuration determining 8 examples 11 selecting 10 IDE interface connector 5 IDE ribbon cable connecting 15 installation 7 12 QuickStart 7 J jumpers 5 setting 9 M Macintosh playing CD on 28 troubleshooting 39 maintenance 29 master 8 mastering software 5 23 media 25 care and handling 26 mounting rails 14 15 O opening the computer 7 P packet writing software 23 performanc
3. Q As CD ROM The computer s operating system whether it is Windows 95 Windows 98 or Windows NT supplies a generic CD ROM device driver that allows the PlexWriter to function as a standard CD ROM drive You don t need to install anything else Q Asa CD R or CD RW device In order to write to CD R or CD RW media you will need additional software If you purchased a kit from Plextor software is supplied e Using the PlexWriter on a Macintosh Whether using the PlexWriter as a standard CD ROM or as a CD R or CD RW device you will need additional drivers or software besides those that are part of the Macintosh operating system You will need to purchase this software separately The compatibility list is available from Plextor s web site at www plextor com Before installing any software check that all the cable connections between your PlexWriter and computer are correct that the jumper is set properly and the PlexWriter is recognized by your system PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 21 Section 3 Installing and Using Software Install Plextor Applications Software Windows 95 98 and NT can immediately operate your PlexWriter drive as a CD ROM device reader and permit the drive to be recognized by the computer s operating system In order to take advantage of the PlexWriter s ability to record on CD R or CD RW media however you will also need packet writing and mastering applications software on your PC You can a
4. Record the serial number and TLA code of your drive on the inside front cover of this manual If your drive came preinstalled you can get this information using PlextorManager 2000 See the PlextorManager 2000 user s manual for instructions Mount the PlexWriter Drive in the Computer You can mount your internal PlexWriter drive in any available bay You must remove the small panel that covers the bay that you want to use CAUTION Install your PlexWriter horizontally Plextor does not guarantee the drive s performance in a vertical position If you don t have an empty bay remove the existing IDE CD ROM drive and install the PlexWriter You must make a minimum of two cable connections to your PlexWriter The two cable connections that you must make are e IDE cable e Power cable 12 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter A third cable connection will need to be made if you are using a soundboard in your computer and plan to connect the PlexWriter s audio output to the audio connector on the soundboard Do You Need Another IDE Ribbon Cable The IDE cable is a standard 40 pin flat ribbon cable usually with three connectors One end connects to the IDE port on your computer s motherboard and the other two connectors are free for attaching peripherals such as a hard disk or CD ROM drive You may need to install another IDE ribbon cable in your computer You can use the extra IDE cable su
5. and use your computer s setup program to program the BIOS to recognize it Reboot the computer when you are finished NOTE Refer to the computer s documentation for information on how to run the setup program 4 9 Use the setup program to set up IDE master and slave designations as needed for your configuration on the primary or secondary bus If a master or slave is set to disable or none or a similar designation change it as appropriate to enable or auto or something similar depending on your setup program Save and exit your CMOS setup to restart your computer with the new settings 18 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter Enable DMA To achieve top speeds for reading and writing with your PlexWriter drive direct memory access DMA must be enabled for the drive To ensure that DMA is enabled 1 In Windows 95 or 98 click the Start button then Settings then Control Panel then double click on System icon then click on Device Manager tab You see a list of devices in your system 2 Double click the CD ROM icon and choose the PX W8432T drive by clicking on it once Then click on the Properties button and select the Settings tab You see the drive properties for the Plex Writer 3 Ensure the DMA box is checked ON as well as all other check boxes in this window 4 Click on OK button and then click on the Close button to exit System Properties win
6. EER EE censuses EE EE N OU DE TA Oe N N 49 iv PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 1 Getting Started This manual explains how to install and use your internal ATAPI PlexWriter 8 4 32 drive For those of you with PCs the installation process may seem a bit complicated Mac people have it easy Fear not We have successfully walked through the installation process with millions of customers who previously had lived in mortal terror of the innards of their computer About this Manual Please read this manual carefully and keep it handy for easy reference Use the manual for installation operation and troubleshooting See your dealer or call Plextor s Technical Support Department should your drive require repair or service In this manual you should find all the information you need to successfully install operate and troubleshoot your drive If you run into a problem that doesn t seem to be covered however please contact us See Appendix B Technical Support for the different ways you can contact us You will be connected to our friendly helpful band of tech support engineers who know their stuff What might seem like an uncooperative drive to you could very well be a 30 second fix to them But we will never know unless you contact us Meet Your PlexWriter 8 4 32 The PlexWriter 8 4 32 is a CD ReWritable drive that provides professional quality CD performance for writing rewriting and reading What the PlexWriter 8 4
7. PlexWriter and use the same software originally used to write to it Then close the session disc Symptoms Excessive noise Excessive vibration Slow read performance Possible Cause e CD is poorly balanced Poorly manufactured discs or discs with poorly distributed ink on labeling cause significant vibration at high speeds because they are out of balance Read errors may also occur e If the disc label especially adhesive labels adds more weight to one area of the disc than another it can also cause the disc to be out of balance Solution e Remove any adhesive label e Clean the disc as detailed on page 26 o In Windows 95 98 and NT use PlextorManager to lower the drive speed e If there is no foreign substance on the disc contact the disc manufacturer for a replacement PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 33 Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Symptoms Can read only the last session of a multisession CD R or CD RW disc Possible Cause e Import previous session or a similar feature was not enabled when the multisession disc was created Solution e Use CD R or CD RW mastering software to import session s Such features may vary in name depending on the software being used Please refer to the appropriate manual regarding this feature Troubleshooting Audio Symptoms When playing an audio CD you do not hear sound even though everything appears to be functioning normally Possible Causes e Soundb
8. always connected to the IDE connector on the motherboard The other end of the connector must be connected to a device The end connector of the cable should never be left unconnected 9 Connect a power cable from the computer to the DC INPUT connector of the PlexWriter drive In most computers you will find free power connectors that are ready for your use Check the cable running from your power supply to your hard disk and see if it has extra connectors on it If so you can plug one of these into the power connector found on the rear panel of the PlexWriter 10 Connect the audio cable if you want to use a soundboard in your system This cable runs from the four pin audio output connector on the rear panel of your PlexWriter drive to your soundboard See Using Soundboards and Audio Cables on page 17 for more information about audio cables 16 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter 11 Mount the PlexWriter drive in the computer using the four screws were supplied with your drive Use only these screws CAUTION Do not mount your drive in your computer using screws other than those supplied by Plextor You may damage the drive if you insert screws that are too long Using Soundboards and Audio Cables Whichever category your soundboard falls into you will find that the best source of information about installing the soundboard in your computer is the board s manual Once you have successfu
9. found both on the warranty card that accompanied the drive and on a label on the drive itself The TLA number appears both on the drive label and on a sticker at the rear of internal drives The version of Plextor Manager you are using if applicable The latest version of firmware you loaded onto the drive if applicable The version of the Windows Mac or UNIX operating system you are using The brand name and model number of your computer e g Dell 466 NP Micron P66PCI Powerstation ALR Evolution V Apple Macintosh Performa 575 etc The type of VGA Super VGA or other graphics board you use Brand name and model number of any other peripherals you have installed or connected to your computer e g CD ROM scanner fax board network board Returns You must receive an RMA Returned Materials Authorization number from our Technical Support Department before any Plextor drive can be returned for repair or replacement Any drive sent to Plextor without an RMA number will not be accepted Drives must be sent postage prepaid We recommend that you insure your shipment as Plextor cannot be held responsible for any damage that may occur during shipment 46 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Appendix C Helpful Contacts Use the contacts below for CD R and CD RW software and components and for PC vendors Contacts for CD R and CD RW Components Company Phone Fax Product Web Address 408 945 8600 408 262 2533 C
10. is not damaged Check the connector pins to ensure they are not bent Possible Cause 3 e Drive or IDE bus is not enabled in the computer s BIOS Solution 3 e Ensure the IDE port is enabled and set properly in motherboard s BIOS See Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized on page 17 for more details Possible Cause 4 e Jumper conflict Solution 4 e Check jumpers for the PlexWriter drive and the other peripheral devices hard disk or CD ROM drive on the same IDE cable Ensure the jumper for one device is set to Master and the other to Slave Two devices on one cable cannot be set to the same setting Possible Cause 5 e Wrong cable with jumper set to Cable Select Solution 5 e Make sure that a CSEL compatible IDE cable is used if you want to use the PlexWriter with jumper set to Cable Select Symptoms Writing error occurs Buffer underrun Does not record at 8X Possible Cause 1 e DMA is not enabled on your computer Solution 1 e In Windows 95 and 98 click on Start button then select Settings Control Panel then double click on System icon then click on Device Manager tab then double click on CD ROM icon Select PlexWriter and click on Properties Then click on the Settings tab and enable DMA Reboot your system e Make sure DMA is enabled on your motherboard 36 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Possible Causes 2 e Network is being used e Mouse wa
11. is poor quality scratched badly manufactured or has oily fingerprints Q Some CDs have copy prevention or other feature that does not allow direct CD to CD duplication Q Software may not support that disc format Why am I getting buffer underrun errors Recording CDs requires a source device to provide an uninterrupted stream of data A buffer underrun occurs when the data stream is interrupted This can occur if Another application interrupts the writing process The write speed is set higher than the source drive can supply data Lack of computer memory Poor quality discs scratched discs discs with fingerprints or badly manufactured discs Oooo PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 41 Section 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Recording This page intentionally left blank 42 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Appendix A PlexWriter Specifications Disc Specifications Useable Formats Read Useable Formats Write Disc Diameter Writing Modes Recommended Media CD R 8X 4X 2X CD R 1X CD RW 4X 2X CD DA CD ROM Mode 1 CD ROM XA Mode 2 form 1 or form 2 CD ROM Mixed Mode Photo CD VideoCD CD I MPEG movies CD Extra CD G CD Text ISO 9660 HFS Rockridge Photo CD VideoCD CD I CD Extra CD Plus Enhanced CD CD R CD G CD Text CD Midi 12 cm diameter Recording time 74 min Track at Once Disc at Once Session at Once multisession fixed and variable packet w
12. read prerecorded discs such as audio CDs and data discs e CD R Recordable CD You can record on these discs but only once You can also read them e CD RW ReWritable CD These discs support recording and re recording up to 1 000 times You can also read them NOTE Firmware upgrades for your PlexWriter drive are available as downloads from the Plextor web site Please check the web site at www plextor com Tray Loading and Operation To load and unload the tray 1 While the PlexWriter drive is powered up push the Stop Eject button on the front panel The tray drawer slides out in 3 4 seconds NS If this is the first time the drive is used remove the tray insert LY Lay a blank CD in the depression in the tray label side up The CD should lie flat in the tray Figure 13 Loading the Tray 4 Press the Stop Eject button again and the tray will slide shut within seconds NOTE Always use the Stop Eject button to close the tray in a smooth and secure manner Closing the tray by pressing the front of the drawer by hand is not recommended and risks damage or premature wearing of the mechanism PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 25 Section 4 Using Your PlexWriter Handling CD Media Take care when handling blank CD R and CD RW media Dust scratches and fingerprints on the data side of the disc can cause write errors during recording When picking up or holding blank media you can either place your fingers alon
13. the open bay and back toward the motherboard The drive should slide smoothly into the bay If it does not check for obstructions in the bay and ensure the side rails are attached properly 7 If not already connected attach one end of the IDE ribbon cable to the connector on the motherboard ot Pin 1 red wire Connect any connector of the cable to the motherboard or the PlexWriter drive Maximum cable length 18 in Figure 11 Connecting the IDE Ribbon Cable PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 15 Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter CAUTION It is easy to accidentally plug your IDE ribbon cable upside down into both your drive and the motherboard Be sure you match the red stripe along one side of the IDE cable to Pin 1 on the motherboard and Pin 1 on the drive Pin 1 on the drive is closest to the power connector Each connector on the ribbon cable has a key in the middle This key should fit into a slot in the middle of each connector of the motherboard your PlexWriter and any other internal IDE peripherals 8 Double check your work You must ensure the side of the IDE cable with the red stripe is matched to Pin 1 on the interface board and on the drive internal PlexWriter IDE ribbon cable Power CD ROM audio supply connector on PC Figure 12 Power and IDE Connections for an Internal PlexWriter Drive CAUTION In the case of only one IDE device you must make certain that one end of the cable is
14. with bundled pre mastering and packet writing software including PlextorManager 2000 e PlexWriter 8 4 32 operation manual e Warranty registration card e PlextorManager 2000 manual If the security sticker on top of your box is cut there may be a good reason for example a dealer may have added other components or software Carefully check the contents to ensure nothing has been removed If something is missing contact the party from whom you purchased the box for an explanation If your drive came pre installed some or all of the items above may have been installed and may not be separately available See Appendix C for locations to purchase additional or replacement accessories Section 1 Getting Started Save Your Box Be sure to save the box after you have installed your PlexWriter drive The box and its packaging material were designed and drop tested to ensure your PlexWriter can endure rough treatment and still arrive in working order Please save the tray insert that was used to protect the delicate internal components during shipping Should you need to ship the PlexWriter it should be placed on the tray inside the drive We hope you will never have to ship your drive back to us If you do however it s best to send it packaged in the original box Some of our customers have not held on to their boxes and have had to resort to less than secure methods to get drives back to us We cannot assum
15. 32 Does The PlexWriter 8 4 32 writes to CD R recordable CD media at up to 8X speed or to CD RW rewritable CD media at up to 4X speed It reads all CD ROM and CD R media at a maximum of 32X speed with an average access time of 170 milliseconds Maximum read speed of CD RW media is 20X Reliable writing is virtually guaranteed thanks to unique circuitry that automatically detects the type of media being recorded and adjusts the PlexWriter 8 4 32 to provide the optimum laser power and length of burn The PlexWriter 8 4 32 has an IDE interface that supports the ATAPI 4 command set including special commands for CD R The PlexWriter 8 4 32 is fully MMC compliant supporting writing features such as Disc at Once Track at Once and Session at Once as well as variable and fixed packet writing It also supports the UDF file system implemented through packet writing PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 1 Section 1 Getting Started The PlexWriter 8 4 32 supports running OPC and is compatible with Windows Plug amp Play Flash memory allows upgrading the PlexWriter 8 4 32 to the latest firmware revision available from the Plextor web site without opening the drive Plextor backs up this remarkable drive with a one year full warranty on parts and labor and unlimited toll free tech support What You Can Do with the PlexWriter 8 4 32 Just look at some of the things you can do with your PlexWriter 8 4 32 Record data or audio onto writable or r
16. D PLEXTOR PLEMWRITER 8 4 32 Model PX W8432Ti Internal Congratulations Thank you for purchasing the PlexWriter 8 4 32 a reliable high performance CD rewriter recorder and reader We appreciate the confidence you have shown in us Our goal is to put you and keep you on the leading edge of CD technology To get you there we first have to help you install your PlexWriter drive properly and operate it correctly After that the responsibility is yours to seek the applications that make rewritable CD such a powerful and exciting addition to your system FCC NOTICE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio communications However there is no guarantee interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment causes harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures e Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna e Increase the separation between the equipment and receive
17. D R software 800 390 9328 425 861 8391 Devices acl svc cables acc amcdirect com CeQuadrat 800 330 6734 650 843 3799 CD R software www ceguadrat com Creative 405 742 6600 405 742 6633 Soundboards Labs creativelabs Creative 408 255 0999 408 255 1011 Windows T Digital UNIX CD R Research software Diamond 800 468 5846 408 325 7408 Soundboards diamondmm com drivers Pacific 408 654 0234 408 982 9329 Audio cables www piccable Inter com Connects Plextor 408 980 1838 408 986 1010 Recommend Support boards audio plextor com cables all BBS 408 986 other technical 1569 Support needs Testa CD 520 531 1880 CD Tach http tcdlabs Labs performance simplenet com benchmarks PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 47 Appendix C Helpful Contacts Contacts for PC Vendors Company Web Address IBM http ipbm com Gateway Hewlett Packard http www hp com ntel ASUSTeK Computer GIGA BYTE http www abit usa com Aopen EPOX SOYO Computers http Awww tekram com FIC Micro Star International Wil ELITEGROUP COMPUTER http Awww ecs com tw SYSTEMS Free Computer Technology http www freetech com 48 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Index A applications software 22 audio cable 17 audio CD playing 27 audio output connector 5 audio troubleshooting 34 B bay cover panel 14 box contents of 3 shipping 3 C cable audio
18. Do not allow moisture or liquids including water or cleaning fluids to touch the drive Thinner benzene or alcohol based solvents can mar your drive s surface e Do not drop or jolt the drive e Do not attempt to open the drive and service it yourself Removing the cover may expose you to harmful electrical voltages or the laser beam For your safety entrust service to Plextor authorized service personnel only e Keep your CD discs free of dirt or other contaminants by storing them in jewel cases Use only industry standard discs Do not insert dirty warped poorly balanced or cracked discs into the drive e Do not clean discs using a circular motion Instead use a radial motion start at the center of the disc and proceed to the outer edge 6 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 2 Installing Your PlexWriter This chapter explains how to physically install your PlexWriter in your computer The steps you ll need to do are as follows 1 Turn OFF your computer system 2 Set the jumpers for your new PlexWriter drive if necessary 3 Mount the PlexWriter drive into an available drive bay inside the computer system 4 Make all necessary cabling connections IDE cable power cable and audio cable 5 Turn your computer system ON The following pages give more details for this procedure Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation To determine whether your PlexWriter will be a master or a slave open
19. ER Ke ee Ne 27 Connections for Playing Audio CDs iese sees ee Re ee 27 Writing to CD R and CD RW Media sesse ee ee ee Re Re Re 28 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting sscssssssccsssseccsssssecssssssessssceseseees 29 Upstading Firmwares sises ise else Ee AE Ee n tes EK De De ee DR Re EE ER Re ee bales 29 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual iii deels eie OE OE RE EE EE EE lieved ess 30 Troubleshooting General iese esse ee ke ee Se ee ee ee Re ee ke 30 Troubleshooting Read sesse see ee ee e ee ee Re ee ee 32 Troubleshooting AudiO esse esse esse se ee ee ee Re Re ee Re ee 34 Troubleshooting Writing Discs iese see ese ee ee ee Re ee ee ee ee 35 Troubleshooting for Macintosh Users iese see ss ee ee ke Re ee ee 39 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Recording ssssee sesse sees ee GE Gee 41 Appendix A PlexWriter Specifications ccssscsssssscsssssssscsssesssssssessssees 43 Appendix B Technical Support scccsssscsssssesssssssesssssssessssssssssssesessssees 45 How to Contact OE ER ER EA RE OE OR 45 Before You E mail Log On FAX Call ees esse esse ee see se ee ee ee ee 46 n RR OR OE ER OE KAR RE N 46 Appendix C Helpful ContactS sssssssssscssrsscesvorsrsossers sossessscssssesisossosscessore srsre 47 Contacts for CD R and CD RW Components ie esse sees se se ee ee 47 Contacts foriPE Vendors ies EES e REG RE GEE Re Dek ee EE GEK KEER Ke Ee ee GEE 48 TING
20. Master Slave Cable Select Environmental Conditions Operating Temperature Performance Guarantee Temperature Operating Humidity Storage Temperature Storage Humidity Dimensions and Weight Dimensions W H D excluding front panel Weight Reliability MTBF Tray Loading 0 to 45 degrees Celsius 5 to 40 degrees Celsius 20 to 80 non condensing 40 to 60 degrees Celsius 20 to 95 non condensing 5 78 x 1 64 x 7 95 146mm x 41 3mm x 202mm 2 5 lbs 1 2 kg 60 000 POH 200 000 Load Cycles 44 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Appendix B Technical Support Store Plextor s email web site phone and fax numbers in a convenient location Keep your drive s serial number and a copy of your sales receipt handy as well If you experience a problem while installing or operating your PlexWriter drive please refer first to the relevant sections of this manual regarding setup and installation Chapters 1 3 If you do not uncover the solution there please refer next to the maintenance and troubleshooting chapter that begins on page 29 It contains solutions to the most common types of problems fielded by our technical support staff You may also wish to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions FAQ section of our web site to assist you in troubleshooting the problem on your own NOTE We encourage you to go the Plextor web site www plextor com before attempting to contact Technical Support The answers to th
21. Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter NOTE Refer to the computer s documentation for information on how to run the motherboard BIOS setup program 4 S Use the setup program to set up IDE Master and Slave designations as needed for your configuration on the primary or secondary IDE bus If the IDE interface is disabled on your computer you will need to enable it If a master or slave device is set to disable or none or a similar designation change it as appropriate to enable or auto or something similar depending on your setup program Save and exit your CMOS setup to restart your computer with the new settings In Windows click the Start button then Settings then Control Panel then double click on System icon then click on Device Manager tab Click sign next to the CD ROM icon and look at the PX W8432T drive underneath the CD ROM icon If you do not see the PX W8432T drive icon or if it has a yellow diamond with an explanation point contact your PC or motherboard manufacturer to get the appropriate IDE controller driver a PC with Windows NT Turn the computer ON After the computer boots up you should see the Windows display Open Windows Explorer and ensure there is an icon for the PlexWriter the hard disk and other CD ROM drives if present The PlexWriter may be D or E or another designator If the PlexWriter drive is not recognized in Windows NT reboot the computer
22. ble Cause 1 e IDE cable is not connected properly Solution 1 e Ensure IDE cable is connected e Verify that connectors on motherboard and drive do not have bent pins Possible Cause 2 e Drive or IDE bus is not enabled in the computer s BIOS Solution 2 e Ensure the IDE port is enabled and set properly in motherboard s BIOS See Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized on page 17 for more details Possible Cause 3 e Jumper conflict Solution 3 e Check jumpers for the PlexWriter drive and the other peripheral devices hard disk or CD ROM drive on the same IDE cable Ensure the jumper for one device is set to master and the other to slave Two devices on one cable cannot be set to the same setting 30 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Possible Cause 4 e Wrong cable with jumper set to Cable Select Solution 4 e Make sure that a CSEL compatible IDE cable is used if you want to use the PlexWriter with jumper set to Cable Select Possible Cause 5 e Power connector is not attached to PlexWriter or does not work Solution 5 e Ensure the computer s power cable is securely attached to the PlexWriter s power connector e When the computer s power is ON confirm that the PlexWriter s indicator LED is illuminated briefly then is extinguished e Connect a different power cable to PlexWriter Symptoms PlexWriter does not respond lights or eject button Pos
23. dow 5 When prompted if you want to restart you computer now select yes for this change to be enabled and saved PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 19 Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter This page intentionally left blank 20 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 3 Installing and Using Software There s one more step before you can begin to use your PlexWriter drive you need to install special software on your computer There are two software types e Device driver Software program that allows your computer to interact with the PlexWriter drive Drivers are included in Windows 95 98 and NT that let you operate your PlexWriter as a CD ROM device reader The device driver is installed automatically by the operating system as long as the IDE interface is enabled in your system s motherboard BIOS e Application software Software programs for specific tasks such as mastering CDs backing up your hard disk or files capturing audio duplicating CDs and more Some of these applications are supplied with your Plex Writer if purchased as a kit from Plextor while others are available from other vendors If you have any problems at all our technical support staff will help you Install Device Drivers Your PlexWriter acts as a CD ROM Drive for purposes of installation and setup In some cases you will need to install additional software to make use of all of the features of the PlexWriter Using the PlexWriter on a PC
24. e specifications 43 playing a CD 27 Plextor Manager audio utilities 28 Plextor Manager 2000 22 power cable 13 power connector 5 precautions 6 9 primary IDE port 8 Q QuickStart installation 7 50 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual R rails 14 15 reading a CD 1 rear panel controls 44 recognizing the drive in Windows 95 98 17 recognizing the drive in Windows NT 18 recording frequently asked questions 41 reliability 44 returns 46 RMA number 3 46 S secondary IDE port 8 security sticker 3 selecting an IDE configuration 10 serial number 12 shipping your drive 3 slave 8 software application 21 device drivers 21 installing 21 mastering 5 soundboard connection and 17 specifications 43 speed reading 1 writing 1 support 45 T technical support 45 TLA code 12 tray front door 4 loading and unloading 25 troubleshooting audio problems 34 disc problems 32 general problems 30 Macintosh installation 39 writing discs 35 U upgrading 2 Index V writing frequently asked questions 41 writing a CD 1 writing discs troubleshooting 35 writing to CD R and CD RW 28 volume control 4 27 W weight 44 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 51 Notes PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 52
25. e liability for any damage your drive sustains during shipment Therefore please ship your drive in the safest manner possible Before shipping your drive refer to the Plextor web site for pointers The web site is at http www plextor com If you did not receive a box for example your drive came pre installed in a computer we recommend you pay a packaging store such as Mail Boxes Etc to ship your drive If you don t have a packaging store in your area ask our Technical Support Department for packaging pointers when you call to get an RMA number before returning any drive PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 3 Section 1 Getting Started PlexWriter Drive Features and Controls Before proceeding become familiar with the controls and features of your Plex Writer drive Match the parts of your drive to the illustrations below Front Panel Emergency Tray front door eject hole Headphone Volume Indicator Stopieject jack control button Figure 1 Front Panel of the PlexWriter 8 4 32 Drive e Tray front door Attached to tray drawer e Headphone jack Stereo mini jack for headphones and powered speakers e Volume control Controls volume of headphone jack e Disc indicator Illuminated during power up or when disc is inserted and being initialized Blinks when reading or writing data from or to disc e Stop Eject button Push to eject or insert tray e Emergency eject hole Insert emergency eject stick pap
26. e most common questions callers ask can be found quickly in the FAQ area A link to the FAQ area can be found on our home page If you have not been successful in your quest our Technical Support Department will help you solve problems that relate specifically to your PlexWriter drive In many cases a problem that appears to be caused by your PlexWriter actually originates in another part of your computer In such instances our technical support staff will try to help you identify the part at fault and will refer you to the manufacturer of that part for further assistance How to Contact Us There are several ways for you to contact Plextor s Technical Support Department e Visit our web site www plextor com for answers to Frequently Asked Questions e Send us email at support plextor com or send a fax to the attention of the Technical Support Department at 408 986 1010 Include your telephone number and the hours during which you can be reached Be as detailed as possible in describing your problem Please include system configuration hardware and software as well as versions of drivers used e Call 800 886 3935 and select the technical support extension PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 45 Appendix B Technical Support Before You E mail Log On FAX Call Please gather as much of the following information as possible before contacting us The serial number and TLA number of your PlexWriter Your serial number can be
27. e the message Firmware update has completed 3 Reboot your system 4 Verify DMA is enabled before using the PlexWriter Note If firmware upgrade does not complete successfully you may need to disable DMA and this procedure again To enable disable DMA 1 Click the Start button then Settings then Control Panel then double click on System icon then select the Device Manager tab You see a list of devices in your system PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 29 Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting 2 Double click the CD ROM icon and choose the PX W8432T by clicking on it once Then click on the Properties button and select the Settings tab You now see the drive properties for the PlexWriter 3 Enable DMA by click the DMA checkbox ON then click OK Disable DMA by click the DMA checkbox OFF then click OK 4 Close the System Properties window by clicking on the Close button 5 When prompted Reboot your system Note DMA must be enabled for normal operation of the Plex Writer Troubleshooting If you have problems during or right after installation of your PlexWriter drive use these tips to help find the problem You can also use these charts to help find problems that develop in existing installations Start here if you re a PC user Mac users should start with page 39 and come back here if they don t find the answer Troubleshooting General Symptoms PlexWriter drive not recognized by computer Possi
28. eated properly and has no bent pins PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 39 Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting This page intentionally left blank 40 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Recording What media should I use for my PlexWriter Supported media lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www plextor com When can I use CD RW media CD RW media can only be used for writing in ReWritable drives It is readable only in ReWritable drives or newer MultiRead CD ROMs with UDF readers installed UDF readers are available from software companies that develop packet writing software With CD RW media you can Q Use as if it were a large capacity floppy disc Q Transport files to and from work Q Copy your important data periodically O Store large projects as you develop them When should I use CD R media CD R media can be read in most CD ROM CD Recordable or CD ReWritable drives Use CD R media to Permanently archive important data Copy your music to CD for personal use Create specific format discs Create disc for distribution to others Share non editable presentations Ooooo Why doesn t CD Copier work Some possible reasons are Q Some CD ROM drives are not fast enough for direct copying to the Plex Writer They cannot stream data fast enough to record at 8X or are not capable of digital audio extraction at high speed Q The CD R disc being used
29. en betrieben So mub bei Inanspruchnahme der Allgemeinen Betriebs genehmigung nach der BMPT AmtsblVfg Nr 243 1991 die gesamte Anlage folgenden Richtlinien entsprechen UG V fg 243 e Grenzwertklases B der EN55022 e Auflagen nach 2 der BMPT AmtsblVfg 243 1991 Dies ist bei der Zusammensetzung einer Anlage z B Computersystem aus nur einzein gepr ften Ger ten nicht immer erf llt Table of Contents 1 Getting Started uses e esse es sees Ee Ee Ge RA RA Ge Ge AE EA Ee Ge Ee 1 A Bout this Manual srne RR ER RR EE EN 1 Meet Your PlexWriter 8 32 esse esse see ee ee AA ke Re ee ee 1 What the PlexWriter 8 4 32 DOES ese ee ee ee Re ee 1 What You Can Do with the PlexWriter B A 32 ees ee ee ee ee ee 2 Saye YOUR BOK EE RR OE RE OO scene 3 MEER ds SE RE AE OE RO RE RR ER 3 PlexWriter Drive Features and Controls esse esse ese esse ee ee ee ee Re ee 4 Front Panel EE GE Ge tas ee ORE deni EE erate De Ee Ge Ee Ee 4 GATE RE EE RE HR ines 5 About Mastering Software iese sesse ese ese ee ee ee Re ee ee Re ke 5 ye EE EA AA EE EE EE RR 6 2 Installing Your PlexWriter e sesse sesse ees ee Ee Ee Ge GR Ge Ge 7 QuickStart Installation For Experienced PC Users Only esse esse esse ee 7 Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation iese esse se ee ee ke 7 Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration 20 0 0 sesse esse ee ee ee se ee ee eke ee 8 Set the Dive s Jumpers iseer anid 9 Changing the J
30. er clip or other thin rigid object to eject tray if automatic eject button does not work Turn OFF power before using this feature 4 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 1 Getting Started Rear Panel Not Audio Jumpers IDE cable Power used output connector connector connector Figure 2 Rear Panel of the PlexWriter 8 4 32 Internal Drive e Audio output connector Outputs stereo analog signal Use to connect to soundboard or audio amplifier Use standard MPC 3 type 4 pin connector e Jumpers Use to select operation as an IDE master or slave or for cable select In general leave these jumpers at their factory settings e IDE interface connector Connects to IDE interface using 40 pin IDE flat ribbon cable e Power connector Connects to your computer s power supply to provide DC 5V and 12V to the PlexWriter About Mastering Software In order to create CD R and CD RW discs you will need to have mastering software installed on your computer system You can check our web site www plextor com for an updated list of software that supports your drive We provide mastering software kits in retail packaging for your convenience PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 5 Section 1 Getting Started Precautions Like the rest of your computer system your Plex Writer requires reasonable care in its installation and use e Keep the area around your drive clean from dust smoke and other contaminants e
31. ewritable CD media Play music CDs Save photos and other images on rewritable or writable CDs Create a CD sneakernet to share information with colleagues just use software such as Adaptec DirectCD to Drag amp Drop files onto CD R or CD RW media then continue adding files and sharing the same CD disc Archive images and video to CD Master new software programs on CD Periodically back up your computer s hard disk including operating system hardware configuration registry program files and data Plextor s CD Res Q software makes this easy You can even make a bootable CD Information on CD Res Q can also be found at http www plextor com cdresq htm CD Res Q is available for purchase directly from Plextor To purchase CD Res Q by phone please call us at 408 980 1838 ext 4 To purchase CD Res Q by email send your request to sales plextor com Type CD RES Q REQUEST in the subject line You will also need to include the serial number of your drive 2 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual What s in the Box What you find in your Plextor box depends on what the company that sold you the box put in or took out while the Plextor drive was in their possession Plextor currently sells its Plex Writer 8 4 32 drive in this configuration e PlexWriter 8 4 32 CD RW drive e 40 pin IDE ribbon cable e 4 mounting screws e 1 piece of approved CD RW media 1 piece of approved CD R media e Plextor CD
32. g before installing it You do this by changing the position of a jumper on the jumper block at the rear of the drive Your drive ships from our factory with its jumper set to operate the PlexWriter as a master This will work in the most commonly found environments Changing the Jumper on Your Internal PlexWriter Drive As shown in Figure 4 the PlexWriter drive arrives from the factory with its jumper set to MASTER A function is ON if the jumper is installed and OFF if the jumper is removed CABLE SELECT MASTER SLAVE O ULI Figure 4 Factory Settings for Jumpers at the Rear of the Drive Changing to a Master Slave or Cable Select The Master Slave setting for the drive is determined by the jumper To change the drive from Master to Slave or to Cable Select you must move the jumper For example to change the PlexWriter drive to be a Slave move the jumper to the middle set of pins leaving the other pins uncovered To change the drive for Cable Select move the jumper to the left set of pins Changing Jumper Settings To remove a jumper pull it off with your fingers or a pair of needle nose pliers To install a jumper push it onto the jumper pins CAUTION Ensure power to the drive is OFF before installing or removing jumpers PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 9 Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter Jumper Install jumpers this way DO NOT install jumpers this way Vertically Horizontally Fig
33. g the outer edge of the disc or place one finger through the center hole and one finger on the outer edge Once you have finished creating a disc label it by writing on the top using permanent ink NOTE We do not recommend placing self sticking CD R labels on the disc The weight of the label may unbalance the disc and cause write errors during recording or read errors during reading Cleaning Discs For proper read and write performance your CD R CD RW and CD ROM discs must be clean Trying to record on a dirty disc may result in a failed session and ruin the disc To clean the disc wipe the disc using a clean soft cotton cloth to remove surface dirt such as fingerprints Use a straight line motion wiping from the center out Do not wipe the disc in a circular motion Figure 14 Wipe the Disc from the Center Outward HINT Keep your frequently used discs in jewel cases at all times to prevent them from becoming dirty or damaged 26 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 4 Using Your PlexWriter Playing Audio CDs Connections for Playing Audio CDs There are basically two types of audio Q CD Audio This comes from audio discs like the ones used by your home stereo that are translated directly by your PlexWriter into sound You do not need a soundboard to hear this audio Simply plug in a set of headphones or powered speakers into the headphone jack on the front of your drive Q Soundboard audio This comes fr
34. her hard disk in this case PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 37 Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Possible Cause 7 e Defective CD R or CD RW media CD R or CD RW media may be dirty scratched or damaged Solution 7 e ReWrite using another CD R or CD RW disc Symptom Cannot add information to CD R or CD RW disc Possible Cause 1 e The CD R or CD RW disc was originally written using other software If the software is different incompatibility errors may occur Solution 1 e Always use the same authoring software to add content to a disc Possible Cause 2 e Not enough disc capacity Capacity of a standard 74 minute CD is limited to 650 MB Solution 2 e Use different CD R or CD RW media if the capacity is insufficient Possible Cause 3 e The disc is written with on a CD R or CD RW drive from another vendor Solution 3 e Use a different CD R or CD RW disc e Try to use same drive to add more data to CD R or CD RW disc Symptoms Cannot write at 8X speed Possible Cause 1 e Using poor quality media Solution 1 e Use the CD R RW media recommended by Plextor Supported media lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www plextor com Possible Cause 2 e Buffer underrun occurring Solution 2 e Reduce the load on CPU resources Some ways to do this are Log off from the network Don t use the mouse Disable the screen saver or power save mode Quit all other applications except
35. lly installed the soundboard in your computer you can continue below for a description of the different cable connections that need to be made Choosing and Connecting Audio Cables To make audio connections to your PlexWriter you may have to purchase an audio cable from a computer supply store Audio Connection Cable How to Connect It Required MPC audio source MPC compliant Connect to MPC audio audio cable source and to audio output connector at the rear of the PlexWriter Sound Blaster or Sound Blaster Connect to Sound Blaster compatible soundboard compatible compatible audio board and audio cable to audio output connector at the rear of the PlexWriter We can help by recommending several vendors who offer audio cables see page 47 of this manual Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized After installation make sure the PlexWriter drive and other IDE peripherals are recognized by your computer To check whether they are recognized On a PC with Windows 95 or 98 1 Turn the computer ON After the computer boots up you should see the Windows display 2 Open Windows Explorer and ensure there is an icon for the PlexWriter the hard disk and other CD ROM drives if present The PlexWriter may be D or E or another designator 3 If the PlexWriter drive is not recognized in Windows reboot the computer and use your computer s setup program to program the BIOS to recognize it PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 17
36. lso check the compatibility list on the Plextor web site at www plextor com for software that supports the PlexWriter under other operating systems You will need to purchase this software separately If you purchased your PlexWriter as part of a Plextor kit much of the software you need is included for use on a PC Plextor has developed several utilities to help you get the most from your Plex Writer drive PlextorManager 2000 This unique suite of audio management and drive control applications puts you in the CD driver s seat A variety of distinctive modules allow you to listen to record and even create your own playlists using a standard and digital audio file formats Rip the finest quality audio using digital audio extraction at high speed Need to make a duplicate CD A simple mouse click and you re done Control every aspect of the drive from spinup and spindown timeout to eject lock PlextorManager 2000 also gives you information on the drive s configuration and the media inserted into it See the Plextor Manager User s Manual for details CD Res Q For backup and disaster recovery CD Res Q lets you create an image of your hard drive on secure reliable CD R media By spanning CDs you can back up your entire HDD Additional features include making a CD bootable choice of compression HDD or image file integrity verification and more NOTE CD Res Q backup works only with Plextor CD R and CD RW drives You can restore fr
37. oard volume too low Mixer settings for soundboard set too low Need soundboard Need audio cable connection Soundboard not properly configured Solution e Each soundboard has a different setting for each input source including one for CD Audio Run your soundboard s mixer program and verify that the volume is turned up or not muted You can do this by double clicking on the speaker icon on your computer s task bar e Check your system configuration to see if the soundboard settings such as IRQ memory etc are conflicting with other devices on the system e Check if all the necessary drivers and multimedia devices required by your soundboard are installed e Make sure the audio cable is properly connected between PlexWriter and soundboard Symptoms Low sound level from PlexWriter drive Possible Cause 1 e Improper audio cable connection between PlexWriter drive and soundboard Solution 1 e Check the cable connection from PlexWriter to soundboard 34 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Possible Cause 2 e Low levels from audio mixer Solution 2 e Check the master CD and line levels of all audio mixers Troubleshooting Writing Discs Symptoms Cannot write to CD R or CD RW disc Possible Cause 1 e You are using authoring software other than that bundled with your Plex Writer Solution 1 e Use the authoring software provided with the PlexWriter e To use o
38. om any drive CD Res Q is available for purchase directly from Plextor To purchase CD Res Q by phone please call us at 408 980 1838 ext 4 To purchase CD Res Q by email send your request to sales plextor com Type CD RES Q REQUEST in the subject line You will also need to include the serial number of your drive 22 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 3 Installing and Using Software Other Applications Software Other valuable applications software which may already be included if you purchased a kit from Plextor lets you use your PlexWriter drive in exciting new ways e Packet writing software This type of application lets you use your PlexWriter as an enormous floppy drive You can just Drag amp Drop files straight to a CD R or CD RW disc Mastering software In conjunction with your PlexWriter drive mastering software lets you create specific format discs such as audio data mixed mode etc PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 23 Section 3 Installing and Using Software This page intentionally left blank 24 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 4 Using Your PlexWriter This chapter explains how to use your PlexWriter drive and how to load handle and care for your CDs What Media to Use Use the right media Your PlexWriter drive s capabilities change depending on which type of compact disc you use It currently supports these types e CD ROM You can immediately play or
39. om data files such as a WAV or MP3 that are transferred from the CD via the IDE host adapter to your computer The soundboard translates the data into sound If you do not have a soundboard you will not be able to hear this form of audio from your Plex Writer In order to listen to an audio CD connect an audio cable to the analog audio connector on the rear of the drive and connect the other end to your soundboard Please refer to Using Soundboards and Audio Cables on page 17 of this manual for more detail You can also listen to an audio CD by plugging in a pair of stereo headphones or self powered speakers into the headphone jack on the drive s front panel as shown in Figure 15 In order to control audio playback you will need to use audio control software such as Windows Media Player or CD Player lem G 4 e Stereo mini plug to headphone jack Figure 15 Connections for Playing Audio Using the Headphone Jack NOTE The volume control on the front panel of your drive adjusts only the sound level of the headphone jack It has no impact on the volume level of the rear panel audio outputs PlextorManager software can control volume level of the signal from the rear panel audio outputs PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 27 Section 4 Using Your PlexWriter Playing a CD Using PlextorManager For PC users unique and powerful audio software PlextorManager 2000 is provided For installation and operating instr
40. pplied with your PlexWriter To Pin 1 Figure 8 Internal IDE Ribbon Cable CAUTION Don t try to string too many IDE cables together The length of any IDE cable cannot exceed 18 inches Do You Need a Power Cable In most computers you will find free power connectors in the computer ready for your use When you open the computer check the cable running from your power supply to your hard disk and see if it has extra connectors on it If so you can plug one of these into the power connector found on the rear panel of the Plex Writer If you do not find any additional connectors either because they were not supplied or they are all in use you will have to buy a splitter or a Y connector These can also be found at most retail and mail order computer stores To mount the PlexWriter drive 1 Make sure the power to your computer and any external peripherals are OFF and your computer is UNPLUGGED from its power source 2 If you haven t already removed your computer s cover remove it now following the directions provided by your computer s manufacturer Typically this involves loosening or removing several screws on the back panel of your computer and sliding off the cover See Figure 3 for details PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 13 Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter 3 Remove the cover panel from the bay that will hold the PlexWriter drive To remove the cover panel pop it out by pressing outward ligh
41. r e Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected e Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help Any changes or modifications should be approved by the party responsible for compliance of FCC Rules otherwise the user loses authority to operate the equipment CAUTION Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure The laser beam emitted from the optical pickup is invisible Accordingly e Do not open the optical pickup housing e Obtain service only from Plextor authorized personnel LASER INFORMATION These products have been designed and manufactured according to IEC 825 1 on the Safety of Laser products This product comes under Class 1 Laser Products A Laser Caution Marking is attached on the top of the internal drive model Caution Invisible laser radiation when open Avoid direct exposure to beam CAUTION To disconnect the CD drive from an electrical current pull out the power plug VORSICHT DIE TRENNUNG VOM NETZ ERFOLGT DURCH ZIEHEN DES NETZSECKES Zur Einhaltung der Funk Entst rung von nicht selbst ndig betreibbaren Hochfreguenzgeriten periphere Anlagenkomponenten Dieses Ger t entspricht als Einzelgerat den Funk Entst ranforderungen der Postverfiigung Nr 243 1991 Wird das Ger t innerhalb einer Anlage zusammen mit anderen Ger t
42. riting Taiyo Yuden TDK Ricoh Mitsui Chemical Kodak Fuji Photo Film Sony Imation Philips Maxell Mitsubishi Chemical Taiyo Yuden TDK Ricoh Mitsui Chemical Fuji Photo Film Sony Imation Philips Maxell Mitsubishi Chemical Mitsubishi Chemical Ricoh TDK All are rewritable up to 1 000 times Performance Specifications Data Transfer Rate Sustained Read Write Burst Read Write Average Random Access Spindle Motor Error Rate CLV Write CAV Read 32X read only 4 8MB sec Outer track 14X read only 2 1MB sec Inner track 8X read write 1 2 MB sec 4X read write rewrite 600KB sec 2X read write rewrite 300KB sec 1X read write 150 KB sec 16 7MB sec PIO Mode 4 DMA Mode 2 170ms Brushless Mode 1 1 Block 10 Bits Mode 2 1 Block 10 Bits PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 43 Appendix A PlexWriter Specifications Front Panel Eject Lights Disc Loading Headphone Jack Volume Control CD Audio Controls Rear Panel Power Supply Interface Connector Audio Output Jumper Switches Eject Button Manual Emergency Eject Software Eject Power On Disc Access Auto Stereo mini jack 0 8V at 32 ohms Wheel knob Stop Eject DC 5V 500mA DC 12V 600mA IDE bus 40 pin flat ribbon type Interface complies with ANSI X3T13 1153D ATA ATAPI 4 Supports 59 commands including special commands for CD R Stereo analog output Molex connector L G G R MPC3 standard
43. s cover following the directions provided by your computer s manufacturer Typically this involves loosening or removing several screws on the back panel of your computer and sliding off the cover Figure 3 Removing a Typical Computer s Cover Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration With your computer open determine the existing IDE configuration You can do this by looking at the 40 pin IDE ribbon cable or cables there may be two and seeing what is connected to them One end of the IDE cable is connected to a port on the computer s motherboard and the other end is connected to one or two peripheral devices such as a hard disk or CD ROM drive If there are two devices one is considered the master and the other the s ave If there are two IDE ports one is for the primary IDE bus and the other is for the secondary bus A typical computer s IDE configuration is usually one of the following e Hard disks connected as master and slave devices on primary IDE port CD ROM drive connected as master device on secondary IDE port e Hard disk connected as master device and CD ROM drive connected as slave on the primary IDE port nothing connected to secondary IDE port e Hard disk connected as master device on primary IDE port nothing connected to secondary IDE port 8 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter Set the Drive s Jumpers You specify your drive s master or slave settin
44. s moved or Windows screensaver activated while writing e Other applications are running e Power save mode is active Solution 2 e If problems occur when writing reduce the load on CPU resources Some ways to do this are Q Log off from the network Q Don t use the mouse Q Disable the screensaver or power save mode Q Exit all other applications Possible Cause 3 e Shortage of PC memory If there is insufficient main memory in the PC data may be swapped to the hard disk and this can cause a buffer underrun Solution 3 e Increase the PC s main memory capacity Possible Cause 4 e PlexWriter and other IDE CD ROM drive are connected on the same cable Solution 4 e When writing from another IDE device to the PlexWriter on the same bus using on the fly writing the IDE bus is very busy and it may cause writing errors This depends on your system speed and configuration Use the image writing method for best results safe mode or record at lower speed e Put the IDE CD ROM drive on the primary bus and PlexWriter as the only device on the secondary bus Master Possible Cause 5 e PlexWriter and hard disk are connected on the same cable Solution 5 e Remove the PlexWriter from the cable and re connect it to a secondary IDE port Possible Cause 6 e Automatic thermal recalibration triggered Some high speed hard disks are equipped with an automatic thermal re calibration function Solution 6 e Use anot
45. sed broken or bent pins e Inspect the IDE ribbon cable for any signs of distress such as kinking Possible Cause 4 e CD Audio disc in the drive Audio CDs do not have computer data so typing computer commands in DOS while an audio disc is in your drive gives an error message Solution 4 e Use a data CD in the PlexWriter drive Possible Cause 5 e Disc is inserted upside down Solution 5 e Eject the disc and load it with the label or text side up Possible Cause 6 e Blank CD R or CD RW disc is inside the drive Solution 6 e Remove the disc from the drive and test it by using another disc 32 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Symptoms Cannot use other CD ROM drives to initialize or discs written by PlexWriter Possible Cause 1 e Trying to read a CD RW disc in a CD ROM drive that does not support it Solution 1 e Use the PlexWriter to read CD RW discs or use a different CD ROM drive Only CD ROM drives manufactured after 1997 can read CD RW discs Possible Cause 2 e UDF reader is not installed on the system to read CD RW or packet written discs from a CD ROM drive Solution 2 e Refer to your packet writing software manual for how to obtain a UDF reader and install it on the computer where you need to access these discs Possible Cause 3 e Session was left open on a CD R disc and does not have a Table of Contents Solution 3 e Place this disc back into
46. sible Cause 1 e No power Solution 1 e Ensure the power cable is connected securely to the PlexWriter s power connector e Try a different power cable Possible Cause 2 e IDE cable isn t connected properly Solution 2 e Ensure that the IDE cable is securely inserted and is not damaged e Check the connector pins to ensure they are not bent Symptoms Cannot eject tray Possible Cause 1 e Tray is locked by PlextorManager software Solution 1 e Refer to PlextorManager manual how to unlock the eject feature Possible Cause 2 e CD was not properly set into tray and is stuck Solution 2 e At the PlexWriter s front panel insert a thin object such as a paper clip into the emergency eject hole and eject the tray PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 31 Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Read Symptoms PlexWriter drive has read errors may not respond to a DIR command or cannot run a program Possible Cause 1 e Defective CD ROM CD R or CD RW disc e A fingerprint contaminants or scratches on the disc s surface may prevent the drive from reading or writing data Solution 1 e Clean the disc as detailed on page 26 e Try a different disc Possible Cause 2 e Disc is badly manufactured Solution 2 e Try a different disc Possible Cause 3 e Bad connection between the PlexWriter drive and the motherboard Solution 3 e Inspect the IDE cable and drive for reces
47. ter drive With proper maintenance you can prevent problems If problems arise you can often solve many simple problems on your own rather than wait for assistance from a Plextor representative TIP Read all of this section that pertain to you PC or Macintosh Many of the problems discussed happen only rarely and others may seem as if they do not pertain to you However if you are familiar with the variety of problems that can occur you will be better prepared to deal with them if they do occur Upgrading Firmware Plextor creates firmware revisions to meet the peculiar needs of large computer manufacturers It is rare that these will impact the performance or operation of your PlexWriter drive However we advise that our customers always update drives with latest available firmware Before troubleshooting a possible problem with your drive please make sure to visit our web site at www plextor com to check if you have the latest firmware To obtain new firmware for your PlexWriter drive 1 Go to the Plextor web site at www plextor com 2 Look for firmware upgrades in either the Technical Support area or on the Downloads page There is a description of the latest firmware revision and its intended use 3 Download the firmware to your computer To upgrade firmware 1 Run the executable file that you downloaded from Plextor s web site 2 Accept all defaults by continuing to click on the Next button until you se
48. the authoring software Oooo 38 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Possible Cause 3 e Using CD RW media This drive does not support 8X speed with CD RW media Solution 3 e Use CD R media Possible Cause 4 e Defective CD R media Solution 4 e CD R media may be dirty scratched or damaged Rewrite using another CD R disc Possible Cause 5 e Using authoring software other than that bundled with the PlexWriter Solution 5 e To use other types of authoring software contact the supplier and ensure the software support the PX W8432T CD RW drive Supported software lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www plextor com Possible Cause 6 e CD ROM drive used cannot read data fast enough to record at 8X Solution 6 e Record to HDD first then to PlexWriter Troubleshooting for Macintosh Users Symptoms Drive will not operate as CD ROM CD R or CD RW device Possible Cause e Whether using the PlexWriter as a standard CD ROM CD R or CD RW device you will need additional software and device drivers that are not part of the Macintosh operating system Solution e You will need to purchase additional software Supported software lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www plextor com Symptoms Drive not responding Possible Cause e Bad connection between PlexWriter drive and IDE interface Solution e Check the IDE cable to ensure it is s
49. ther types of authoring software contact the supplier and ensure the software support the PX W8432T CD RW drive Supported software lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www plextor com Possible Cause 2 e CD R or CD RW media is not supported Solution 2 e Use CD R or CD RW media recommended by Plextor Supported media lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www plextor com Possible Cause 3 e Disc inserted upside down Solution 3 e Eject the disc from tray and load it with the label side up Possible Cause 4 e Lack of hard disk capacity This varies with different software packages Contact the software vendor or check their documentation for recommendations Solution 4 e Delete files from your hard disk to free up sufficient space or use another hard disk Symptoms CD R or CD RW software cannot detect Plex Writer Possible Cause 1 e Power connector is not attached to PlexWriter Solution 1 e Ensure the computer s power cable is securely attached to the PlexWriter s power connector PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 35 Section 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting e When the computer s power is turned ON confirm that the PlexWriter s indicator LED is illuminated briefly then is extinguished e Try connecting another power cable to the Plex Writer Possible Cause 2 e IDE cable isn t connected properly Solution 2 e Ensure that the IDE cable is securely inserted and
50. tly In some older computers you may have to remove screws that hold the panel in place Available bay with cover pane removed Figure 9 Removing the Cover Panel from a Bay 4 Determine if you must install mounting rails on the sides of your drive To do so insert the drive into the open bay If the drive fits tightly with little or no clearance on either side of the drive you will not have to use mounting rails The drive can be mounted directly into your computer Go to step 6 NOTE Plextor does not provide rails If you need rails you can obtain them from the computer manufacturer or from a computer supply retail or mail order store 14 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter 5 If you must use mounting rails fasten the rails to the lower pair of holes as shown in Figure 10 In some instances you may need to fasten the rails to the upper set of holes After fastening the rails check their positioning by sliding the drive into the bay before you mount the drive or connect any cables Be sure not to mistake the inner and outer face of the rail when attaching Typically the smooth side of the rail faces away from the drive s chassis a hd Figure 10 Installing Mounting Rails if Needed 6 Plug a free connector on the IDE cable into the IDE connector on the rear panel of the drive before you insert the drive into your computer Then thread the cable through the front of
51. uctions refer to the separate PlextorManager 2000 User s Manual and README files Playing a CD Using Other Utilities Other alternatives for playing CDs include audio utilities designed into your operating system Media Player or CD Player in Windows for instance or various other utilities that can be purchased commercially To listen to music through the computer s soundboard volume can be controlled through the volume control on your task bar via a soundboard You can also mute the sound on your soundboard and listen to music through headphones or self powered speakers When using headphones or self powered speakers volume is controlled by the volume knob on the front panel of the drive Playing a CD On a Macintosh Mac users can run a program such as CDT Remote which is typically included with FWB s CD ROM device driver Writing to CD R and CD RW Media In conjunction with your PlexWriter drive mastering and packet writing software such as EasyCD Creator and DirectCD allow you to write audio video data or other information to writable CD R or rewritable CD RW media IMPORTANT Only newer CD ROM drives can read CD RW discs Drives manufactured before 1997 cannot read them Plextor CD ROM drives starting with the 12 20PleX or newer can read CD RW discs 28 PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting This chapter explains maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for your Plex Wri
52. umper on Your Internal PlexWriter Drive esse sesse esse ees 9 Select an IDE Configuration sesse esse esse ee ee ke ee Re ee ee Re ee ee 10 About Cable Select SEE NEGE EES ESEG ke SE Ge GR Se SE koe De ee Ge 12 Install the PlexWriter Drive esse sesse ee ee ee ee Re ee Re Re ee 12 Record the Serial Number eise esse ese ee se ee Se Ge Ge ee ee Se Ge 12 Mount the PlexWriter Drive in the Computer iee sees ees ee se ee ee ee 12 Using Soundboards and Audio Cables iese see ke ee ee 17 Choosing and Connecting Audio Cables esse see se ee 17 Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized iese esse esse ee Re Re ee ke 17 Bima le DMA cigs IE EE RE OR EE 19 3 Installing and Using SOftWare sees sesse sesse ee Ee Ge Ge Ee 21 Install Device DriVerS esse esse esse ee see ke ee ee Re Re Re Re ee ee 21 Install Plextor Applications Software iese esse esse ee Re ee Re Re ke 22 dio GEUTE SASIE EE N EE OE N OE ENG 22 CID TA ER EER ER N EN ER EN 22 Other Applications Software sees esse se ee ee Re ee ee ee ke 23 4 Using Your Plex Writer cccsssssssssssssssesssssssessssssessssssesssscsessssesessonees 25 What Media to Use iese see se ee ee Re Re ee Re ee 25 Tray Loading and Operation ees esse se ee ee Re ee ee ke 25 Handling CD Media ees ees see se ee AA Re Re Re ee ee 26 Cleatitig DISES REEDE SE EE EE EE AR ee EN GE Re ee ee es Sek 26 Playin Audio CIDS ss Ee ates cit DE OER alee EA ET Ne Ep ee
53. ure 5 Install Jumpers Across Vertical Pairs of Pins CAUTION Install jumpers across each pin as shown vertically Do not connect one pin switch to another by installing the jumpers lengthwise horizontally Doing so could result in damage to the drive Select an IDE Configuration Set the jumper according to the desired configuration as shown in this table and the illustrations Before PlexWriter Installation How to Install the PlexWriter Hard disks connected as master and Connect the PlexWriter as master slave devices on primary IDE port device to the secondary IDE port CD ROM connected as master Remove the CD ROM drive change device on secondary IDE port it to slave and connect it to the secondary IDE port Hard disk connected as master Connect the PlexWriter as master to device and CD ROM drive secondary IDE port connected as slave on the primary IDE port nothing connected to secondary IDE port C Hard disk connected as master Connect the PlexWriter as master to device on primary IDE port nothing secondary IDE port connected to secondary IDE port NOTE For best performance try to connect the PlexWriter to the IDE port that is not connected to the hard disk drive or to a CD ROM drive In most cases connect the PlexWriter to the secondary IDE port as a master NOTE For best results set the PlexWriter to be the master if possible DMA setting must be enabled on your system to achieve 8X writing speed
54. your computer and examine the IDE connections to the motherboard To open the computer 1 Before proceeding make sure the power to your computer and any external peripherals is OFF and your computer is UNPLUGGED from its power source QuickStart Installation For Experienced PC Users Only If you ve installed computer peripherals before you re in luck with the PlexWriter drive Use this QuickStart installation to get up and running quickly Typical Scenario 1 You have a PC with an IDE interface installed you have Windows 95 98 or NT and you have nothing installed on the secondary IDE port What to do Leave the PlexWriter s jumper set to Master attach it to the secondary IDE port and go Windows will recognize the drive automatically Typical Scenario 2 You have a PC with an IDE interface installed you have Windows 95 98 or NT the primary IDE bus already has two devices connected and you have a CD ROM installed on the secondary IDE port What to do Change the CD ROM to Slave leave the PlexWriter s jumper set to Master and attach the PlexWriter to the secondary IDE port Windows recognizes the new drive automatically If neither of these situations applies to you or you re not comfortable with IDE installation read the rest of this chapter for more detailed installation instructions PlexWriter 8 4 32 Operation Manual 7 Section 2 Installing Your PlexWriter 2 Remove your computer
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