Model PX–320A (Internal)
Record Your Serial Number
For future reference, record the serial number and the TLA code (found on your
drive’s label) in the space provided below.
TLA/Firmware Revision Number
Plextor reserves the right to make improvements in the products described in this
manual at any time without prior notice.
Plextor makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents hereof
and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for
any particular purpose. Further, Plextor Corp. reserves the right to revise this manual
and to make changes in its content without obligation to notify any person or
organization of such revision or change.
This manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not be copied, photocopied,
translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form without
Plextor’s prior permission.
Manual copyright ©2002 Plextor Corp. First edition, April 2002.
Licenses and Trademarks
All licenses and trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Ü
FCC NOTICE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital devi ce, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FC C 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 accor d ance with the instructions, ma y 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, th e user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•
Increase the separation bet ween the equipment and receiver.
•
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
•
connected.
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 t he equipment.
CAUTION
specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
The laser beam emitted from the optical pickup is invisible. Accordingly:
•
•
: Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those
Do not open the optical pickup housing.
Obtain service only from Plextor-a uthorized personnel.
LASER INFORMATION
These products have been designed and manufactured according t o IEC 60825-1 on the Safety of Laser
products. This p roduct 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
Zur Einhaltung der Funk-Entstörung von nicht selbständig betreibbaren
Hochfrequenzgeräten (periphere Anlagenkomponenten).
Dieses Gerät entspricht als Einzelgerät den Funk-Entstöranforderungen der
Postverfügung Nr. 243/1991.
Wird das Gerät innerhalb einer Anlage zusammen mit anderen Geräten
betrieben, so muss bei Inanspruchnahme der “Allgemeinen (Betriebs-)
genehmigung” nach der BMPT-AmtsblVfg Nr. 243/1991 die ges amte
Anlage folgenden Richtlinien entsprechen:
•
•
Dies ist bei der Zusammensetzung einer Anlage (z.B. Computersystem) aus nur einzeln geprüften Geräten
nicht immer erfüllt.
: DIE TRENNUNG VOM NETZ ERFOLGT DURCH ZIEHEN DES NETZSTECK ERS.
G-Vfg.243
Grenzwertklas se B der EN55022
Auflagen nach § 2 der BMPT-AmtsblVfg 243/1991
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Table of Contents
1. Getting Started................................................................................................. 1
About this Manual.............................................................................................. 1
Meet Your PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A............................................................... 1
What the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Does..................................................... 1
Minimum Configuration to Use the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A ....................2
What You Can Do with the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A................................. 2
Save Your Box!.............................................................................................. 3
What's in the Box............................................................................................... 3
PlexCombo Drive Features and Controls........................................................... 4
Front Panel..................................................................................................... 4
Rear Panel...................................................................................................... 5
About SimpliCD and Roxio Software................................................................6
About PowerDVD Software ..............................................................................6
Precautions......................................................................................................... 6
2. Installing Your PlexCombo............................................................................. 9
QuickStart Installation—For Experienced PC Users Only ............................9
Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation................................................ 9
Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration ....................................................10
Set the Drive’s Mode Jumper............................................................................. 11
Changing the Mode Jumper on Your Internal PlexCombo Drive..................11
Select an IDE Configuration.............................................................................. 12
About Cable Select.............................................................................................15
Identifying Whether Your System Uses Cable Select.................................... 16
Locating the Master Position on a Cable Select Cable...................................16
Set the DMA Jumper.......................................................................................... 16
Install the PlexCombo Drive .............................................................................. 17
Record the Serial Number..............................................................................17
Mount the PlexCombo Drive in the Computer ..............................................17
Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables............................................................. 22
Choosing and Connecting Audio Cables........................................................22
Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized................................................................... 23
Enable DMA......................................................................................................24
3. Installing and Using Software......................................................................... 25
Install Device Drivers ........................................................................................25
Install Applications Software............................................................................. 26
About Recording Software............................................................................. 26
SimpliCD .......................................................................................................27
Easy CD Creator ............................................................................................27
CyberLink PowerDVD...................................................................................27
Other Software............................................................................................... 28
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual v
Table of Contents
4. Using Your PlexCombo ...................................................................................29
What Media to Use.............................................................................................29
Tray Loading and Operation..............................................................................30
Handling CD Media....................................................................................... 30
Cleaning Discs ...............................................................................................31
Playing Audio CDs ............................................................................................ 31
Playing DVDs .................................................................................................... 33
Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media.................................................................33
Determining Write Speed from the BUSY Indicator.........................................33
Advantages of VariRec Technology..................................................................34
How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined........................................... 34
Changing the VariRec Setting ........................................................................ 34
When You Write with VariRec......................................................................35
Advantages of BURN-Proof Technology..........................................................35
5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting.................................................................37
Upgrading Firmware.......................................................................................... 37
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................38
Troubleshooting: General...............................................................................38
Troubleshooting: Reading Discs.................................................................... 40
Troubleshooting: Writing CD-R and CD-RW Discs......................................42
Troubleshooting: Playing Audio Discs..........................................................48
Troubleshooting: Playing DVDs....................................................................48
Troubleshooting for Macintosh Users............................................................ 49
Using the Self-Test Diagnostics.........................................................................49
What You’ll Need..........................................................................................49
CD Write/Read Test.......................................................................................50
DVD-ROM Test............................................................................................. 52
6. Frequently Asked Questions ...........................................................................55
Appendix A: PlexCombo Specifications.............................................................57
Appendix B: Technical Support..........................................................................63
How to Contact Us............................................................................................. 63
Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call...............................................................64
Returns...............................................................................................................64
Appendix C: Helpful Contacts............................................................................ 65
Contacts for CD-R and CD-RW Components.................................................... 65
Contacts for PC Vendors....................................................................................66
Appendix D: Warranty........................................................................................67
Index......................................................................................................................69
vi
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
1. Getting Started
Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A (the model
number is PX-320A), a reliable, high-performance CD rewriter, CD recorder, and
CD/DVD 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.
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 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
tech support engineers. 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 PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A
The PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A is a CD-ReWritable drive that provides professional
quality CD performance for writing, rewriting and reading. It also reads digital video
discs (DVDs).
What the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Does
The PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A:
•
Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 20X speed.
•
Writes to high-speed CD-RW (rewritable CD) media at up to 10X speed.
(Naturally, the drive can also write to normal-speed CD-RW media at 4X
speeds.)
•
Reads all CD-ROM and CD-R media at a maximum of 40X speed with an
average access time of less than 100 milliseconds. (Maximum read speed of CDRW media is 32X.)
•
Reads DVD discs at a maximum of 12X.
The PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A has an E-IDE interface that supports the ATAPI-5
command set, including special commands for CD-R and CD-RW. Reliable writing
is virtually guaranteed, thanks to unique PoweRec-II (Plextor Optimized Writing
Error Reduction Control) circuitry. This feature automatically detects the type of
media being recorded and adjusts the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A to provide the
optimum laser power and length of burn—which means the highest quality playback.
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 1
Section 1. Getting Started
New VariRec (Variable Recording) technology from Plextor, if supported by your
writing software, lets you manually adjust the laser burn parameters to match your
sound system or media. VariRec aids in achieving widely compatible audio discs.
The PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A is fully MMC-compliant, supporting writing features
such as Disc-at-Once, Track-at-Once, Session-at-Once, and Multi-Session, as well as
variable and fixed packet writing. It also supports the UDF file system implemented
through packet writing.
The PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A supports Running OPC (ROPC) and is compatible
with Windo ws Plug & Play. Flash memory allows upgrading the PlexCombo
20/10/40-12A to the latest firmware revision (available from the Plextor web site)
without opening the computer or physically accessing the drive. BURN-Proof™
technology
∗
eliminates buffe r unde r ru n err o r s, whic h means you can safely use yo ur
computer for other thin gs while you’re writing to a CD-R or CD-RW disc. And
Plextor backs up this remarkable drive with a one-year full warranty on parts and
labor, and unlimited toll-free tech support.
Your PlexCombo also has a self-diagnostic feature. The drive can actually determine
if it is working properly, an invaluable feature for troubleshoo ting.
Minimum Configuration to Use the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A
Computer: Pentium II 350-MHz CPU or faster.
•
Mi n imu m R AM: 64 MB.
•
Hard disk size: To write to a CD in image mode (that is, to write an image of a
•
CD to your hard disk), you’ll need 800 MB to 1 GB of free space on the hard
disk.
ATAPI settings: In Windows, Direct Memory Access (DMA) should be set to
•
ON. The IDE controller should be set to “Auto” or “PIO Mode4/DMA Mode2”
in the motherboard BIOS. (Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to set this up.)
What You Can Do with the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A
Just look at some of the things you can do with your PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A:
Record data or audio onto recordable or rewritable CD media.
•
Play music CDs.
•
Play DVD movies.
•
Save photos and other images on rewritable or recordable CDs.
•
Create a “CD sneakernet” to share information with colleagues—just use
•
software such as Roxio DirectCD to drag and 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.
•
∗
BURN-Proof is a licensed technology from Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
2
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
Section 1. Getting Started
What's in the Box
What you find in your Pl ext o r bo x
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 PlexCombo
20/10/40-12A drive in this
configuration:
•
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A
CD-RW drive
•
40-pin IDE ribbon cable
•
4 mounting scr ews
•
Emergency eject tool
•
Extra jumper
•
1 piece of approved high-speed
CD-RW media
•
1 piece of approved CD-R media
•
Plextor CD with bundled premastering and packet writing
software
•
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A
Installation and Users Guide
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.
NOTE
: This applies to the Plextor
retail box. Your drive may have been
shipped in a different box with other
contents, depending on whom you
purchased the drive from and what
they included inside the box.
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 lo cations to
purchase additional or replacement accessories.
Save Your Box!
Be sure to save the box after you have
installed your PlexCombo drive. The
box and its packaging material were
designed and drop tested to ensure your
PlexCombo can endure rough treatment
and still arrive in working order.
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 b oxes and have
had to resort to less-than-secure
methods to get drives back to us.
We cannot assume 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
for packaging pointers when you
contact us to get an RMA number
before returning any drive. You can
contact our RMA Department at
rmasupport@plextor.com; or by calling
us at 800-886-3935; or by fax at or 303708-0709.
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 3
Section 1. Getting Started
PlexCombo Drive Features and Controls
Before proceeding, become familiar with the controls and features of your
PlexCombo drive. Match the parts of your drive to the illustrations below.
Front Panel
Figure 1: Front Panel of the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Drive
•
Tray front door: Attached to tray drawer.
•
Headphone jack: Stereo mini-jack for headphones and powered speakers.
•
Volume control: Controls volume of headphone jack.
•
DISC indicator: Illuminated green when a CD disc (CD-ROM, CD- R, or CDRW) is in the drive. Illuminated yellow when a DVD is in the drive.
•
BUSY indicator: Illuminated green during disc loading and when BURN-Proof
is operational. Illuminated yellow when a disc is being read. Illuminated a mber
when writing a CD-R or CD-RW disc. (The indicator changes its blinking
interval to indicate different writing speeds.) Illuminated green when loadin g a
disc or when BURN-Proof is working.
•
Eject button: Push once to eject tray. Push again to insert the tray back into the
PlexCombo. To prevent wear on the drive, always use the eject button to insert
the tray.
•
Emergency eject hole: If the automatic eject button does not work, insert the
emergency eject tool, paper clip, or other thin, rigid object in this hole to eject
tray. Turn OFF power before using this feature.
4
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
Rear Panel
Section 1. Getting Started
Figure 2: Rear Panel of the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Internal Drive
•
Digital audio output connector: Outputs digital stereo sign al. For connecting to
a sound board that supports Sony/Philips digital interface (SPDIF) or Digital-In.
•
Analog audio output connector: Outputs analog stereo signal. Use to connect to
sound board or audio amplifier. Use standard MPC-3 type, 4-pin connector.
•
DMA jumper: Use the DMA jumper if you need to convert from Ultra DMA
Mode 0-2 (no jumper, default) to Multiword DMA Mode 0-2 (with jumper
installed). In general, leave this jumper at its factory setting, which is Ultra DM A
(that is, no jumper installed).
•
Mode jumper: Use the mode jumper to select operation as an IDE master or
slave, or for cable select. The factory setting is master.
•
IDE cable connector: Connects to IDE (ATAPI) interface using 40-pin IDE flat
ribbon cable.
•
Power connector: Connects to your computer’s power supply to provide
DC +5 volts and +12 volts to the PlexCombo.
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 5
Section 1. Getting Started
About SimpliCD and Roxio Software
In order to create CD-R and CD-RW discs you will need to have mastering, p acket
writing, or duplication software installed on your computer system. If you purchased
your drive from Plextor, you’ll find two software packages, SimpliCD and Easy CD
Creator, that have this software.
•
Mastering software: Mastering software is used to create specific disc formats
such as data, audio, video, mixed mode, etc.
•
Packet writing software: Another type of software writes packets. This software
allows you to format a CD (similar to the procedure used with floppy disks).
Then you can drag and drop files straight to a CD, use the Send To function on
your computer, or use copy and paste to place files on the CD-R or CD-RW disc.
This type of software turns your CD-R/RW disc into a giant floppy.
•
Duplication software : Yet another type of software copies from CD to CD.
However, not all CDs can be duplicated. CDs created with packet writing
software cannot be replicated with duplication software. (The packet writing
technology used to create those discs limits this function. It i s not the fa ult of t he
duplication software or your hardware.) In addition, certain CD manufacturers
may use special programs that prevent you from making a backup copy of the
original disc.
There are also many other software packages on the market. You can check our web
site (www.plextor.com
) for an updated list of software that supports your drive.
About PowerDVD Software
CyberLink PowerDVD is also included with your PlexCombo . T his software helps
you get the most from the PlexCombo when you’re using it as a DVD-ROM player.
Precautions
Like the rest of your computer system, your PlexCombo requires reasonable care in
its installation and use.
•
Keep the area around your drive clean from dust, smoke, and other contaminants.
•
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.
•
Do not drop or jolt the drive.
•
Do not attempt to open the drive and service it yourself. Removin g the cover may
expose you to harmful electrical voltages or the laser beam. For your safe ty,
entrust service to Plextor-authorized service personnel only.
6
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
Section 1. Getting Started
•
Keep your CD and DVD 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.
•
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. See Figure 19.
NOTE
: You can install your PlexCombo horizontally or vertically. If you install it
vertically, the vertical orientation must be with the drive’s right side up (as viewed
from the front).
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 7
Section 1. Getting Started
This page intentionally left blank
8
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
2. Installing Your PlexCombo
This chapter explains how to
physically install your PlexCombo in
your computer. The steps you'll need
to do are as follows:
1. Turn OFF your computer system.
2. Set the jumper for your new
PlexCombo drive, if necessary.
3. Mount the PlexCombo 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
PlexCombo will be a Master or a
Slave, open 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.
2. Remove your computer’s cover,
following the directions provided
by your computer ’s manufacturer. Typically, this invol ves loosening or removing
several screws on the back panel of your computer and sliding off the cover. See
Figure 3 for an example.
QuickStart Installation—For
Experienced PC Users Only
If you’ve installed computer peripherals
before, you’re in luck with the
PlexCombo 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, Me, XP, or 2000,
and you have nothin g inst al led on the
secondary IDE port.
What to do: Leave the PlexCombo’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, Me, XP, or 2000,
the primary IDE port already has two
devices connected and you have a CDROM installed on the secondary IDE
port.
What to do: Change the CD-ROM to
Slave, leave the PlexCombo’s jumper
set to Master and attach the PlexCombo
to the secondary IDE port. Windows
recognizes the new drive automatically.
If neither of these situations applies to
you, or yo u’re not comfortable with
IDE installation, read the rest of this
chapter for more detailed installation
instructions.
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 9
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
CAUTION
yourself by wearing an anti-static wristband. This will help prevent static damage to
your computer system.
: Before you attempt to open your computer be sure to properly ground
Figure 3: Removing a Typical Computer's Cover
Determine Your Existing IDE Configur ation
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 configured as Master and the other
the Slave, as indicated by the position of jumpers on the back of the drive. (This is
also true for the Cable Select bus.) If there are two IDE ports, one is for the primary
IDE bus and the other is for the secondary bus.
Before you i nstall your P lexCombo, yo ur computer’s ID E configuration is usually
one of the following:
•
Configuration A: Hard disks connected as Master and Slave devices on primary
IDE port; CD-ROM drive connected as Master device on secondary IDE port.
•
Configuration B: Hard disk connected as Master device and DVD or CD-ROM
drive connected as Slave on the primary IDE port; nothing connected to
secondary IDE port.
•
Configuration C: Hard disk connected as Master device on primary IDE port;
nothing connected to sec ondary IDE port.
•
Configuration D: System uses special “Cable Select” cables; all devices are
jumpered for Cable Select.
10
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
Set the Drive’s Mode Jumper
You specify your drive's Master or Slave setting before installing it. You do this by
changing the position of a jumper on the mode jumper block at the rear of the drive.
Your drive ships from our factory with its mode jumper set to operate the
PlexCombo as a Master. This will work in most custom system configurations. If
your computer is from a large OEM system manufacturer such as IBM, Hewlett
Packard, Gateway or Compaq, you will need to pay particular attention to whether
the system utilizes a Cable Select scheme.
Changing the Mode Jumper on Your Internal PlexCombo
Drive
As shown in Figure 4, the PlexCombo drive arrives from the factory with its mode
jumper set to Master. (A function is ON if the jumper is installed and OFF if the
jumper is removed.)
Figure 4: Factory Settings for Mode Jumper 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 mode jumper. To change
the drive from Master to Slave or to Cable Select, you must move the jumper.
For example, to change the PlexCombo 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. (Note that if any device is jumpered as
Cable Select, then both devices on that cable must be jumpered the same.)
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 11
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
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 jumper.
Figure 5: Install the Mode Jumper Across Vertical Pairs of Pins
CAUTION
connect one pin switch to another by installing the jumper lengthwise (horizontally).
Doing so could result in damage to the drive.
: Install the mode jumper across each pin as shown (vertically). Do not
Select an IDE Configuration
Set the jumper according to the desired configuration, as shown in the tables and
illustrations on the next few pages.
NOTE
: For best CD-RW performance, try to connect the PlexCombo to the IDE port
that is not connected to the hard disk drive or to a CD-ROM drive. In most cases, this
will be the secondary IDE port.
NOTE
: For best results, set the PlexCombo to be the Master, if possible. DMA setting
must be enabled on your system to achieve the drive’s maximum writing speed.
12
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
Before PlexCombo Installation How to Install the PlexCombo
A
Hard disks connected as Master and
Slave devices on primary IDE port;
CD-ROM connected as Master
device on secondary IDE port.
Remove the CD-ROM drive, change
it to Slave, and re-connect it to the
secondary IDE port.
Set the PlexCombo’s mode jumper
to Master, and connect the
PlexCombo as Master device to the
secondary IDE port.
NOTE:
Configuration A can make it very difficult to write from the
CD-ROM to the PlexCombo at 20X using “on-the-fly” copying. System
configuration and performance will make a big difference. Depending on how
fast the CD-ROM drive can stream data to the PlexCombo, it may not be fast
enough to constantly have the buffer full. In this case, the buffer may become
empty and a buffer underrun error may happen. With the BURN-Proof
technology of your PlexCombo you could still make successful copies if you use
software that supports BURN-Proof. (All software shipped with
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A drive retail kits supports BURN-Proof.) If you still have
problems writing with this configuration, use the image writing method or record
at lower speed for best results. We also recommend that DMA be enabled on
your computer, if your system supports it.
Figure 6. How to Install the PlexCombo If Your Computer Is Originally Set Up in
Configuration A
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 13
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
Before PlexCombo Installation How to Install the PlexCombo
B
Hard disk connected as Master
device, and CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive connected as Slave on the
primary IDE port; nothing connected
to secondary IDE port.
Set the PlexCombo’s mode jumper
to Master, and connect the
PlexCombo as Master to secondary
IDE port.
Figure 7. How to Install the PlexCombo If Your Computer Is Originally Set Up in
Configuration B
Before PlexCombo Installation How to Install the PlexCombo
C
Hard disk connected as Master
device on primary IDE port; nothing
connected to secondary IDE port.
Set the PlexCombo’s mode jumper
to Master, and connect the
PlexCombo as Master to secondary
IDE port.
Figure 8. How to Install the PlexCombo If Your Computer Is Originally Set Up in
Configuration C
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PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
Before PlexCombo Installation How to Install the PlexCombo
D
System uses special Cable Select
cables; all devices are jumpered for
Cable Select.
Set the PlexCombo’s mode jumper
to Cable Select, and connect it to the
end of the cable from the computer’s
IDE interface connector.
Figure 9: How to Install the PlexCo mbo If Your Computer Is Originally Set Up in
Configuration D
About Cable Select
The Cable Select jumper position sets the PlexCo mbo dr ive to use the CSEL signal
from the IDE interface for configuration. This signal automatically selects the correct
Master/Slave setting for the PlexCombo. To use CSEL, you must have:
•
A computer that supports CSEL.
•
A special CSEL cable for IDE.
Figure 10: Using the CSEL Signal to Configure the PlexCombo Drive
NOTE
: The IDE cable supplied by Plextor does
Cable Select, you’ll have to purchase another cable.
not
support CSEL. To use CSEL and
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 15
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
Identifying Whether Your System Uses Cable Select
If you are unsure whether or not your system has a Cable Select cable installed,
either look at the cable (there will be connectors labeled “Master” and “Slave”) or
look at the jumpers on the CD-ROM drive. If any device is jumpered as Cable
Select, then both devices on that cable should be jumpered the same.
Locating the Master Position on a Cable Select Cable
With Cable Select, the Master and Slave roles are determined not by jumpers, but by
the connectors on the Cable Select cable. The connectors are identified as Master or
Slave.
Set the DMA Jumper
Your PlexCombo ships from the factory with no DMA jumper installed. (The pins
are empty.) The empty pins mean the drive is set to Ultra DMA. This setting should
work in most cases, so you don’t have to do anythi ng more.
With some personal computers (generally those with older motherboards), the
computer may “hang” or crash with the PlexCombo set to the default Ultra DMA
setting. If this happens, change the PlexCombo to Multiword DMA mode by
installing the DMA jumper across the two pins just to the left o f the mode jumper.
Figure 11. Add the DMA Jumper If You Need to Change To Multiword DMA
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PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
Install the PlexCombo Drive
Before proceeding to install the PlexCombo drive in your personal computer,
double-check your jumper setting.
Record the Serial Number
Record the serial number and TLA code of your drive on the inside front cover of
this manual.
Mount the PlexCombo Drive in the Computer
You can mount your internal PlexCombo drive in any available bay. You must
remove the small panel tha t covers the bay that you wa nt to use.
CAUTION
vertically, the vertical orientation must be with the drive’s right side up (as viewed
from the front).
: You can install your PlexCombo horizontally or vertically. If you install it
Figure 12. For a Vertical PlexCombo Installation, Ensure the Right Side Is Up
If you don’t have an empty bay, remove the existing IDE CD-ROM drive and install
the PlexCombo.
You must make a minimum of two cable connections to your PlexCombo. The two
cable connections that you must make are:
•
IDE cable
•
Power cable
There are also two optional cable connections:
•
An analog audio cable connection if you are using a sound board in your
computer and plan to connect the PlexCombo’s audio output to the audio
connector on the sound board.
•
A digital audio cable connection if the sound board is equipped with SPDIF or
Digital-In and you wish to use the digital audio output from your PlexCombo.
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual 17
Section 2. Installing Your PlexCombo
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, CD-ROM
drive, or the PlexCombo drive.
You may need to install another IDE ribbon cable in your computer. You can use the
extra IDE cable supplied with your PlexCombo. (Just remember, if you want to use
CSEL and Cable Select settings, this Plextor-supp lied cable won’t work—you’ll
have to purchase a special cable for Cable Select.)
Figure 13: Internal IDE Ribbon Cable
CAUTION
: 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 PlexCombo.
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 PlexCombo 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 the cover fro m your computer, 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.
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PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A Installation and Users Manual
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