Plextor 522452A User Manual

Model PX-W5224TA

ATAPI CD-R/CD-RW DRIVE

INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL

APRIL 2003

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 ©2003 Plextor Corp. First edition, April 2003.

Licenses and Trademarks

Plextor, PlexTools, and the Plextor logo are registered trademarks; and PlexWriter,
PoweRec, VariRec, and SpeedRead are trademarks of Plextor Corp. All other
licenses and trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION STATEMENT

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:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between 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.

CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS STATEMENT

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus
set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

VORSICHT: DIE TRENNUNG VOM NETZ ERFOLGT DURCH ZIEHEN DES NETZSTECKERS.

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 gesamte
Anlage folgenden Richtlinien entsprechen:

• Grenzwertklasse B der EN55022

• Auflagen nach § 2 der BMPT-AmtsblVfg 243/1991

Dies ist bei der Zusammensetzung einer Anlage (z.B. Computersystem) aus nur einzeln geprüften Geräten
nicht immer erfüllt.

ÜG-Vfg.243

LASER INFORMATION

These products have been designed and manufactured according to IEC 60825-1 on the Safety of Laser
products. This product comes under “Class 1 Laser Products.”

CAUTION: Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those
specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

A Laser Caution Label is attached on the top of the internal drive model. The label reads:

“CAUTION – CLASS 3B INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO
THE BEAM.”

Detail of Laser Caution Labels Top View of Internal Drive

Showing Location of

Laser Caution Labels

The laser beam emitted from the optical pickup is invisible. Accordingly:

• Do not open the optical pickup housing.

• Obtain service only from Plextor-authorized personnel.

CAUTION: To disconnect the CD drive from an electrical current, pull out the computer’s power
plug.

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started................................................................................................. 1

About this Manual.............................................................................................. 1

Meet Your PlexWriter 52/24/52A...................................................................... 1

What the PlexWriter 52/24/52A Does ........................................................... 1

Features.......................................................................................................... 2

Minimum Configuration to Use the PlexWriter 52/24/52A........................... 3

What You Can Do with the PlexWriter 52/24/52A ....................................... 3

What’s In the Box.............................................................................................. 4

Save Your Box! ............................................................................................. 4

PlexWriter Drive Features and Controls............................................................ 5

Front Panel..................................................................................................... 5

Rear Panel...................................................................................................... 6

About Software.................................................................................................. 7

Precautions......................................................................................................... 7

2. Installing Your PlexWriter ............................................................................. 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 PlexWriter Drive ................... 11

Select an IDE Configuration.............................................................................. 12

About Cable Select ............................................................................................ 16

Identifying Whether Your System Uses Cable Select.................................... 16

Locating the Master Position on a Cable Select Cable .................................. 17

Set the DMA Jumper ......................................................................................... 17

Install the PlexWriter Drive............................................................................... 18

Record the Serial Number.............................................................................. 18

Mount the PlexWriter Drive in the Computer................................................ 18

Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables............................................................. 23

Choosing and Connecting Audio Cables ....................................................... 23

Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized................................................................... 24

3. Using Your PlexWriter.................................................................................... 25

What Media to Use ............................................................................................ 25

Compatibility With Various CD Formats .......................................................... 26

Tray Loading and Operation.............................................................................. 26

Handling CD Media....................................................................................... 27

Cleaning Discs ............................................................................................... 27

Using the Writing Speed Indicator..................................................................... 28

Using SpeedRead............................................................................................... 28

What SpeedRead Does................................................................................... 28

Manually Enabling SpeedRead...................................................................... 29

Disabling SpeedRead..................................................................................... 29

Using PlexTools to Enable SpeedRead.......................................................... 29

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual v

Table of Contents

Advantages of Buffer Under Run Proof Technology......................................... 30

Advantages of VariRec Technology .................................................................. 30

How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined........................................... 31

Changing the VariRec Setting........................................................................ 31

When You Write with VariRec...................................................................... 31

Advantages of Overburn .................................................................................... 32

4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting ................................................................. 33

Upgrading Firmware.......................................................................................... 33

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 33

Using the Self-Test Diagnostics......................................................................... 34

What You’ll Need .......................................................................................... 34

CD Write/Read Test....................................................................................... 34

What the Self-Test Results Indicate............................................................... 36

Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications ............................................................. 37

Appendix B: Technical Support ......................................................................... 43

How to Contact Plextor Technical Support........................................................ 43

Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call............................................................... 44

Returning Your Drive to Plextor........................................................................ 44

Contacting Plextor’s RMA Department......................................................... 45

Shipping Your Drive to Plextor .....................................................................45

Appendix C: Warranty........................................................................................ 47

If You’re Outside the U.S. or Canada................................................................ 48

Index...................................................................................................................... 49

vi PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

1. Getting Started

Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor® PlexWriter™ 52/24/52A, a
reliable, high-performance CD writer, CD rewriter and CD player. 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. If your drive needs service,
see your dealer or call Plextor’s Technical Support Department.

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 reach us.) You will be connected to our friendly, helpful band
of 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 PlexWriter 52/24/52A

The PlexWriter 52/24/52A is a CD-ReWritable drive that provides professional
quality CD performance for writing, rewriting and reading.

What the PlexWriter 52/24/52A Does

The PlexWriter 52/24/52A:

• Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 52X speed.

• Writes to Ultra Speed CD-RW (rewritable CD) media at up to 24X speed. The

drive also writes to High Speed CD-RW media at 4X and 10X, and to Normal
Speed CD-RW media at 4X speeds.

• Reads all CD-ROM and CD-R media at a maximum of 52X speed.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 1

Section 1. Getting Started

Features

• ATAPI interface: Easily installs in virtually any PC with an E-IDE ATAPI
interface.

• High speed transfers: Supports Ultra DMA Mode-2 and DMA Mode-2.

• Buffer Under Run Proof technology: Eliminates buffer underrun errors, so you

can safely use your computer for other tasks while you’re writing to a CD-R or
CD-RW disc.

• PoweRec

extends OPC and ROPC to adjust laser power and writing speed so they’re at the
optimum settings for that particular disc. You can enable and disable PoweRec,
too.

• VariRec

quality, while providing user adjustment of the recording power above or below a
default level. This adjustment lets you customize the optimum laser power to
your own needs.

• SpeedRead

operation.

• CD-TEXT, CD+G: Supports CD-TEXT and CD+G writing.

• Flash memory: Allows upgrading the PlexWriter to the latest firmware revision

(available from the Plextor web site) without opening the computer or physically
accessing the drive.

• Mt. Rainier (MRW) functionality: Supports Mt. Rainier.

• Self-diagnostics: The drive can actually determine if it is working properly, an

invaluable feature for troubleshooting.

• OPC and ROPC: Optimum Power Control and Running Optimum Power
Control, which adjust the laser power for the optimum write strategy.

™

: Plextor Optimized Writing Error Reduction Control (PoweRec)

™

: Lets you record CD-DA digital audio at low speed (4X) for highest

™:

Boosts read speed to 52X without sacrificing data integrity or safe

2 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 1. Getting Started

Minimum Configuration to Use the PlexWriter 52/24/52A

• Computer: PC with a 300-MHz processor or faster

• Memory: Minimum of 64 MB of RAM

• Operating system: Windows 95, 98, 98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, or

Windows XP

• Unused bay: Must have an unused 5.25-inch bay for mounting the PlexWriter
52/24/52A

• Unused connector: Must have an unused E-IDE (ATAPI) connector on your PC

• Hard disk: Must have at least 1 GB of free space on your hard disk if you want

to write to a CD in image mode (that is, to write an image of a CD to your hard
disk)

What You Can Do with the PlexWriter 52/24/52A

Just look at some of the things you can do with your PlexWriter 52/24/52A:

• Record data or audio onto writable or rewritable CD media.

• Play music CDs.

• Save photos and other images on rewritable or writable CDs.

• Share information with colleagues—just use software such as PlexTools 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.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 3

Section 1. Getting Started

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 PlexWriter 52/24/52A drive in this configuration:

• PlexWriter 52/24/52A CD-RW drive

• Mounting screws

• Emergency eject tool

• Spare jumper

• Quick Installation Guide

• Software discs, with CD recording software, packet writing software, Plextor

utility software (PlexTools) and operation manual

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 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.

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. If you
have to ship your drive back to Plextor,
you’ll want to send it in the original
box. (For more details about returning
your drive to Plextor, see “Returning
Your Drive to Plextor” on page 44.)

4 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 1. Getting Started

PlexWriter Drive Features and Controls

Before proceeding, become familiar with the controls and features of your
PlexWriter drive. Match the parts of your drive to the illustrations below.

Front Panel

Figure 1: Front Panel of the PlexWriter 52/24/52A Drive

1. CD disc tray

This disc tray is used to insert CDs into the CD-R/RW device. Press the eject
button to open and close the disc tray.

2. LED indicator

The indicator is illuminated green during disc loading and when Buffer Under
Run Proof is operational. It blinks yellow when a disc is being read, and blinks
amber when writing a CD-R or CD-RW disc. The indicator changes its blinking
interval to indicate different writing speeds. The indicator also blinks green three
times when SpeedRead is enabled.

Write speed CD-R Rewrite speed CD-RW CD indicator blink

interval in milliseconds

41-52X 24X 40 ms
32-40X 4X, 10X 80 ms

4-31X 4X 150 ms

3. Eject button

Push once to eject tray. Push again to insert the tray back into the PlexWriter. To
prevent wear on the drive, always use the eject button to insert the tray.
For SpeedRead, ensure the disc tray is empty and closed, then press and hold this
button for 3 seconds or more before inserting a disc. The LED indicator blinks
green 3 times to indicate SpeedRead is enabled. SpeedRead enables high speed
(52X) CD reading.

4. Emergency eject

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.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 5

Section 1. Getting Started

Rear Panel

Figure 2: Rear Panel of the PlexWriter 52/24/52A Drive

• Digital audio output connector: Outputs digital stereo signal. For connecting to
a sound board that supports Sony/Philips digital interface (SPDIF) or Digital-In.

• Analog audio output connector: Outputs an analog stereo signal for connecting
to a sound board or audio amplifier. Use a standard MPC-3 type, 4-pin connector.

• DMA jumper: Use the DMA jumper to convert between Ultra DMA Mode 0-2
(no jumper, default) and Multiword DMA Mode 0-2 (with jumper installed). In
general, leave this jumper at its factory setting, which is Ultra DMA (that is, no
jumper installed).

• Mode jumper: Use the mode jumper to select operation as an IDE master or
slave, or for cable select. In general, leave this jumper at its factory setting, which
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 PlexWriter.

6 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 1. Getting Started

About Software

In order to create CD-R and CD-RW discs you will need to have mastering, packet
writing, or duplication software installed on your computer system. If you purchased
a retail kit from Plextor, you’ll get:

• Plextor’s PlexTools, a special utility software package to help you get the most
from your PlexWriter.

• Roxio’s Easy CD Creator, a software bundle to format, play and record CD-R
and CD-RW media.

• A 30-day trial version of Dantz Retrospect, backup software that lets you back up
and restore individual files, folders, or your entire hard disk to CD-R or CD-RW
media.

For details about these software packages for writing to CD-R or CD-RW, please
look at the help option within the software, refer to their user’s manuals, or visit the
web sites of the companies that developed them. A list of software packages that you
can use with your Plextor drive can be found in the Support/Compatibility section of
www.plextor.com

.

Precautions

Like the rest of your computer system, your PlexWriter 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.

• Never switch off the power while your PlexWriter is working.

• 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.

• Keep your CDs 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, using a soft, dry cloth, wipe
gently in a radial motion; start at the center of the disc and proceed to the outer
edge.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 7

Section 1. Getting Started

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8 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users 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 jumper 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 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 involves 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
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, 98SE, Me, XP,
or 2000, 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, 98SE, Me, XP,
or 2000, the primary IDE port 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 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 9

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

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 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 install your PlexWriter, your computer’s IDE 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 the 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 secondary IDE port.

• Configuration D: System uses special “Cable Select” cables; all devices are
jumpered for Cable Select.

10 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

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 PlexWriter
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 computer uses
the Cable Select scheme.

Changing the Mode Jumper on Your Internal PlexWriter Drive

The PlexWriter 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

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 11

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Changing to a Master, Slave, or Cable Select

The Master/Slave setting for the drive is determined by the mode jumper. The
jumper is placed over one of the sets of mode pins. 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
second set of mode pins from the right, leaving the other pins uncovered. To change
the drive for Cable Select, move the jumper to the set of mode pins just to the right
of the DMA jumper. (Usually, you leave the DMA jumper off.)

Note that if any device is jumpered as Cable Select, then both devices connected to
that cable must be jumpered as Cable Select. In addition, the cable you use must be a
special Cable Select cable.

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 a jumper.

Figure 5: Install the Mode Jumper Across Vertical Pairs of Pins

CAUTION: Install the mode jumper across the pins as shown (vertically). Do not
connect one pin switch to another by installing the jumper 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 the tables and
illustrations on the next few pages.

NOTE: For best CD-RW 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, this
will be the secondary IDE port.

NOTE: For best results, set the PlexWriter to be the Master, if possible.

12 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Before PlexWriter Installation How to Install the PlexWriter

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 PlexWriter’s mode jumper to
Master, and connect the PlexWriter
as Master device to the secondary
IDE port.

NOTE: Configuration A can make it very difficult to write from the CD-ROM to
the PlexWriter at 52X 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 PlexWriter, it
may not be fast enough to keep the buffer full. In this case, the buffer may
become empty and a buffer underrun error may happen. However, because it is
equipped with Buffer Under Run Proof technology, your PlexWriter can still
make successful copies if you use software that supports Buffer Under Run
Proof. (All software shipped with PlexWriter 52/24/52A drive retail kits supports
Buffer Under Run Proof.)

If you still have problems writing with this configuration, use the image writing
method (that is, write an image to your hard drive, then write that image onto the
CD-R or CD-RW media), or record at a 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 PlexWriter If Your Computer Is Originally Set Up in

Configuration A

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 13

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Before PlexWriter Installation How to Install the PlexWriter

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 PlexWriter’s mode jumper to
Master, and connect the PlexWriter
as Master to secondary IDE port.

Figure 7. How to Install the PlexWriter If Your Computer Is Originally Set Up in

Configuration B

Before PlexWriter Installation How to Install the PlexWriter

C

Hard disk connected as Master
device on primary IDE port; nothing
connected to secondary IDE port.

Set the PlexWriter’s mode jumper to
Master, and connect the PlexWriter
as Master to secondary IDE port.

Figure 8. How to Install the PlexWriter If Your Computer Is Originally Set Up in

Configuration C

14 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Before PlexWriter Installation How to Install the PlexWriter

D

System uses special Cable Select
cables; all devices are jumpered for
Cable Select.

Set the PlexWriter’s mode jumper to
CSEL, and connect it to the end of
the cable from the computer’s IDE
interface connector.

Figure 9: How to Install the PlexWriter If Your Computer Is Originally Set Up in

Configuration D

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 15

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 purposes. This signal automatically selects
the correct Master/Slave setting for the PlexWriter.

Figure 10: Using the CSEL Jumper to Configure the PlexWriter Drive

To use CSEL, you must have:

• A computer that supports CSEL.

• A special CSEL cable for IDE.

NOTE: To use CSEL and Cable Select, you’ll have to purchase a CSEL cable, or use
one that may be supplied with your CSEL-configured system.

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 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.

16 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Locating the Master Position on a Cable Select Cable

With Cable Select, Master and Slave 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 PlexWriter 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 anything more.

With some (generally older) personal computers that do not have an Ultra DMA IDE
chipset, the computer may “hang” or crash with the PlexWriter set to the default
Ultra DMA setting. If this happens, change the PlexWriter to Multiword DMA mode
by installing the spare jumper across the two DMA jumper pins just to the left of the
mode jumper pins.

Figure 11. Add the DMA Jumper if You Need to Change to Multiword DMA

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 17

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Install the PlexWriter Drive

Before proceeding to install the PlexWriter drive in your personal computer, double­check 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 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.

NOTE: The PlexWriter can be installed either horizontally or vertically.

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:

• 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 PlexWriter’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 PlexWriter.

Do You Need Another IDE Ribbon Cable?

An 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 a PlexWriter drive.

18 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

You may need to install another IDE ribbon cable in your computer. (Just remember,
if you want to use CSEL and Cable Select settings, you’ll have to purchase a special
cable for Cable Select.)

Figure 12: Internal IDE Ribbon Cable

Figure 13: Ribbon Cable for Cable Select (Not Supplied by Plextor)

CAUTION: The length of any IDE cable cannot exceed 18 inches.

Do You Need a Power Cable?

In most computers, you will find extra 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 PlexWriter.

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 is turned
OFF and your computer is UNPLUGGED from its power source.

2. If you haven't already removed the cover from 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.

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 lightly. (In some older
computers, you may have to remove screws that hold the panel in place.)

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 19

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Figure 14: 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.

5. If you must use mounting rails, fasten the rails to the lower pair of holes as
shown in Figure 15. (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.

20 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Figure 15: Installing Mounting Rails (if Needed)

6. Plug one connector of 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 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 the other end of the IDE ribbon cable to the
connector on the motherboard.

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 most ribbon
cables 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.

Figure 16: Connecting the IDE Ribbon Cable

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 21

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

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.

CAUTION: In the case of only one IDE device, you must make certain that one
end of the cable is 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.

Figure 17: Cable Connections for an Internal IDE PlexWriter Drive

10. Connect the analog audio cable if you want to use a sound board in your system.
This cable runs from the four-pin analog audio output connector on the rear panel
of your drive to the CD-ROM audio connector on the PC or your sound board.
See “Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables” below for more information about
audio cables.

22 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

11. Connect a digital audio cable if your sound board is equipped with the
Sony/Philips digital interface (SPDIF) or Digital-In, and you wish to use the
digital audio output from your PlexWriter. This cable runs from the digital audio
output connector pins on the back panel to the sound board. (This cable is not
supplied by Plextor.)

12. Mount the PlexWriter drive in the computer using the four screws that 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
or the wrong thread type.

Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables

Whichever category your sound board falls into, you will find that the best source of
information about installing the sound board in your computer is the board's manual.
Once you have successfully installed the sound board 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

If you do need audio cables, you will have to purchase them. Refer to the table
below. A list of several vendors who offer audio cables is available on Plextor’s web
site.

Audio Connection Cable

Required

MPC audio source MPC-compliant

audio cable

Sound Blaster or
compatible sound board

Digital audio output Cable that’s

Sound Blaster­compatible
analog audio
cable

compatible with
SPDIF or
Digital-In.

How to Connect It

Connect to MPC audio source,
and to analog audio output
connector at the rear of the
PlexWriter.

Connect to Sound Blaster­compatible audio board and to
analog audio output connector at
the rear of the PlexWriter.

Connect to SPDIF or Digital-In
connector on sound board (if
sound board supports digital
audio) and to digital audio output
connector at the rear of the
PlexWriter.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 23

Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

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:

To see if the drive is recognized in Windows:

1. Turn the computer ON. After the computer boots up, you should see the
Windows display.

2. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer 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.

NOTE: Refer to the computer’s documentation for information on how to run the
motherboard BIOS setup program.

4. Use the motherboard BIOS 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).

5. Save and exit your CMOS setup to restart your computer with the new settings.

6. In Windows 95, 98, 98SE, or Me, once the system comes up click the Start
button, then Settings, then Control Panel, then double-click on System icon, then
click on Device Manager tab. Click the + sign next to the CD-ROM heading and
look at the PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W5224A entry underneath.

-or­In Windows 2000 or XP, right-click on the My Computer icon and select
Properties. Click on the Hardware tab, then click on the Device Manager button.
Click the + sign next to the CD-ROM heading and look at the PLEXTOR CD-R
PX-W5224A entry underneath.

If you do not see this drive listed as one of the devices, or if it has a yellow diamond
with an exclamation point (!),contact Plextor Technical Support. (See “Appendix B:
Technical Support” for the different ways you can contact us.)

24 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

3. 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:

• CD-ROM: You can immediately play or read prerecorded discs, such as audio
CDs and data discs.

• CD-R: Recordable CD. You can record on these discs, but only once. You can
also read them.

• CD-RW: Ultra Speed, High Speed, and Normal Speed ReWritable CD. These
discs support recording and re-recording (up to 1,000 times). You can also read
them.

To achieve a certain writing speed, you must use the appropriate media. To achieve
52X CD-R writing speed you must use certified 52X media; and to achieve 24X RW
writing speed you must use Ultra Speed RW media. Remember:

• Normal speed (NS-RW) media can rewrite at 4X.

• High Speed (HS-RW) media can rewrite at 4X and 10X.

• Ultra Speed (US-RW) media can rewrite at up to 24X.

Figure 18: CD-RW Speed Is Identifiable by These Logos

See “Recommended Media” on page 37 for a list of Plextor-approved media at the
time this manual was printed, and see the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com
an updated list.

for

You can write to Ultra Speed RW discs only on drives that support this new media.
Drives that are capable of writing to Ultra Speed RW media, such as the PlexWriter
52/24/52A, are identified by a “Compact Disc ReWritable Ultra Speed” logo.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 25

Section 3. Using Your PlexWriter

Compatibility With Various CD Formats

The PlexWriter 52/24/52A is compatible with the formats summarized here.
Remember also that, depending on the manufacturing quality and the software used,
some CDs cannot be written to.

• CD-DA (Audio CD)

• CD-ROM (Mode 1)

• CD-ROM (Mixed Mode)

• CD-ROM XA (Mode 2, Form 1/Form 2)

• Photo CD

• Video CD

• CD-I

• CD Extra (CD Plus)

• CD+G

• CD-Text

Tray Loading and Operation

To load and unload the disc tray:

1. While the PlexWriter drive is powered up, push the eject button on the front
panel. The tray drawer slides out in 3–4 seconds.

Figure 19: Loading the Tray

2. Lay a blank CD in the depression in the tray, label side up. The disc should lie
flat in the tray.

3. Press the eject button again and the tray will slide shut within seconds.

NOTE: Always use the 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 and your CDs.

26 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 3. Using Your PlexWriter

Handling CD Media

Take care when handling blank CD-R and CD-RW media. Dust, scratches, and
fingerprints on either side of the disc can cause write errors during recording. When
picking up or holding blank media you can either place your fingers along 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.

CAUTION: We recommend using a “non-toxic” marker, such as a Sharpie pen, that
conforms to the ASTM D-4236 standard. Some permanent markers will damage the
media. Also, do not press too hard when writing on the disc.

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 20: 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.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 27

Section 3. Using Your PlexWriter

Using the Writing Speed Indicator

When you are writing to a CD or CD-RW disc, the color and blink rate of the front­panel LED indicator indicates the speed of writing, as follows:

LED blink interval in
milliseconds

Amber, 40 ms 41–52X CD-R;

Amber, 80 ms 32–40X CD-R;

Amber, 150 ms 4–31X (CD-R);

Green blinking Buffer Under Run Proof working

Write speed

Ultra Speed (24X) CD-RW

High Speed (4X-10X) CD-RW

Normal Speed (4X) CD-RW

Using SpeedRead

The default reading speed for your PlexWriter is 40X. SpeedRead boosts this reading
speed to 52X. SpeedRead gives you control of the maximum read speed while
maintaining data integrity and safe operation.

SpeedRead may be supported by the recording software you’re using. You can also
activate SpeedRead manually with the PlexWriter’s eject button.

What SpeedRead Does

SpeedRead changes the default read speed from 40X to 52X (via hardware or
software) for CD-RW and CD data and audio discs.

CAUTION: Reading a poorly balanced or cracked data disc at 52X speed greatly
increases the likelihood of disc failure and damage to your drive, and people or items
located in front of the drive door. The Plextor warranty does not cover drive damage
resulting from shattered discs. Please examine your discs before use and verify there
are no visible cracks in the hub area. If the disc makes an abnormal or loud noise
during spinup, it may be an indication of a poorly balanced or eccentric disc. In this
case eject the disc immediately.

The PlexWriter’s reinforced tray bezel and drive bezel can resist the escape of the
disc or disc fragments in the event of disc failure at this high 52X speed.

28 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 3. Using Your PlexWriter

Manually Enabling SpeedRead

You can manually enable SpeedRead before inserting a disc into the PlexWriter. To
manually enable SpeedRead:

1. Ensure the PlexWriter’s disc tray is empty and closed.

2. Press and hold the eject button for three seconds or longer. The LED indicator
blinks green three times.

3. Release the eject button. The disc tray opens.

4. Insert a disc and close the tray using the eject button.

SpeedRead is now enabled. If the disc is a pressed data CD, a CD-R data or audio
CD, or a CD-RW disc, the PlexWriter will read it at up to 52X speed.

Disabling SpeedRead

You can manually disable SpeedRead in either of two ways:

• Eject the disc.

-or-

• Turn off power to the drive.

Using PlexTools to Enable SpeedRead

Go to PlexTools Drive Settings to enable or disable the SpeedRead option. With this
software, you can select 52X as the default read speed via software control.

Please see Plextor’s web site for current information regarding other software
support for SpeedRead.

NOTE: If SpeedRead is selected by software, hardware control is overridden. When
the software disables SpeedRead, you can again change to SpeedRead using the
eject button.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 29

Section 3. Using Your PlexWriter

Advantages of Buffer Under Run Proof Technology

The PlexWriter 52/24/52A incorporates Buffer Under Run Proof technology, which
guarantees that you can write discs at high speed, and still use your computer for
other tasks while you’re writing.

To prevent the interruption of data during writing, every CD-R/RW drive has a
buffer, a memory chip that acts as a kind of “holding area.” However, this buffer can
be emptied quickly when you write at high speeds, or if you use other applications
(like surfing the Internet, playing games, or watching movies) while writing.

Buffer Under Run Proof technology compensates for any interruption in data flow to
the disc. It “remembers” where writing stopped on the disc when the data flow was
interrupted, then restarts writing in the same place once the data is available again.
Buffer Under Run Proof technology in your PlexWriter 52/24/52A means you can
safely use your computer for other things while you’re writing to a CD-R or CD-RW
disc. It lets you multitask freely and easily, and lets you successfully create CDs on
the first attempt.

Advantages of VariRec Technology

This drive is equipped with VariRec (Variable Recording) technology, a feature
offered by Plextor that allows you to manually adjust the drive's laser power during
the audio recording process.

NOTE: In order for you to actually perform the adjustment, VariRec must be
supported by the recording software you’re using.

Being able to adjust the laser power during the recording process can have some
definite advantages. For instance, depending on the capabilities of your specific
audio equipment, you may be able to change the sound quality of your recordings to
suit the equipment. Or you may be able to correct compatibility problems that occur
when playing discs on certain audio players.

30 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 3. Using Your PlexWriter

How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined

In most cases you don’t have to worry about setting VariRec. The setting is 0 (zero)
by default, and this usually works best. This default setting is determined by a
combination of steps:

1. First, we test many types of CD-R media in our factory to determine the best
write strategy (laser power and other factors) for that media.

2. We include a table of the tested media and their write strategy in your drive’s
flash memory firmware. (This table is updated when you update your drive by
downloading new firmware from the Plextor web site.)

3. When you insert a recordable disc into your drive, Plextor’s PoweRec technology
automatically identifies the manufacturer, model, and special features of the
media, then adjusts the laser power and writing speed so they’re at the optimum
settings for that disc.

4. The drive uses OPC (Optimum Power Control) to further fine-tune the laser
power setting to the specific disc that is in your drive.

5. The combined values of the pre-defined write strategies, along with the OPC test
results, create the default VariRec setting of zero.

Changing the VariRec Setting

VariRec lets you increase or decrease the laser power by up to 2 degrees in either the
positive or negative direction from this default. You can change the laser power to do
comparison testing with your CD player (home, auto, or CD-ROM drives) to find the
power setting that best suits you.

Changing the laser power changes the characteristics of the audio being written. You
can hear these changes during audio playback, although what you hear will depend
on speaker quality, audio settings, and environment.

When You Write with VariRec

VariRec writes in either Track-at-Once (TAO) or Disc-at-Once (DAO) mode. It
writes CD-DA (digital audio) on CD-R media at 4X speed, rather than at the full
speed of the drive. For this reason, audio recording using VariRec takes a bit longer
than a standard audio recording.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 31

Section 3. Using Your PlexWriter

Advantages of Overburn

Overburn gives you the capability to burn an audio disc up to 99 minutes 59 seconds
in length, or a data disc up to 875 MB in capacity. In order to use the Overburn
feature, you need:

• Recording software that supports Overburn.

• Player software that recognizes the Overburned disc.

• Either a 94-minute or a 99-minute disc to allow the Overburn.

Remember, even if you can Overburn a disc, your player software must be able to
recognize the Overburned disc, or you will not be able to play it back.

32 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

This chapter explains maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for your
PlexWriter drive.

With proper maintenance, you can prevent problems. If trouble arises, you can often
solve many simple problems on your own, rather than wait for assistance from a
Plextor representative.

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
the latest available flash memory 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 the Support area, 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 in flash memory:

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 see the
message:

Firmware update has completed.

3. Restart your system.

.

Troubleshooting

If you have problems during or right after installation of your PlexWriter drive, visit
the Plextor web site to find tips to help find the problem.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 33

Section 4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Using the Self-Test Diagnostics

The PlexWriter contains a set of self-test diagnostics that can help isolate trouble and
determine if a problem is in the drive or elsewhere.

NOTE: Using the self-test diagnostics requires opening the computer and removing a
cable from the drive, then replacing the cable at the end of the test. If you previously
installed the PlexWriter in your computer, you should have no fear of the simple
procedures that are required. However, if you’re are not comfortable with opening
your PC or Macintosh and disconnecting cables, you may want to let someone with
more experience handle this aspect of troubleshooting for you.

What You’ll Need

To perform the tests you’ll need:

• Tools to remove the computer’s cover

• An extra jumper (supplied)

• A blank piece of Plextor-recommended CD-R media. (See “Recommended

Media” on page 37, or visit our web site.) The self-test will write to this media,
so you won’t be able to use this disc again.

CD Write/Read Test

This tests three functions of the drive: write, random access, and verify.

To perform the CD write/read test:

1. Turn the computer’s power OFF, unplug it from its power source, and open the
computer to gain access to the rear of the PlexWriter drive. Typically, this
involves loosening or removing several screws on the back panel of your
computer and sliding off the cover. (See Figure 3 for an example.)

CAUTION: Before you attempt to open your computer be sure to properly ground
yourself by wearing an anti-static wristband. This will help prevent static damage to
your computer system.

2. You should be able to see the back of the PlexWriter drive connected to the
ATAPI cable, power connector, and, optionally, an analog sound cable.

NOTE: You may have to remove the drive from the computer to perform the next two
steps.

3. Hold the ATAPI cable at or near the base of its connection to the PlexWriter.
Carefully remove the ATAPI cable from the PlexWriter by pulling the cable
gently rearward.

34 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Section 4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

4. Note the position of the mode jumper at the rear of the PlexWriter. A jumper will
be installed on either the CABLE SELECT, SLAVE, or MASTER position.
Write down this jumper position. (You’ll need to replace the jumper after the
test.) Then:



If the jumper is on the MASTER position, move it to the SLAVE or CABLE
SELECT position for this test.



If the jumper is on the SLAVE or CABLE SELECT jumper, leave it in
place.

5. Install an extra jumper so that both the CABLE SELECT and SLAVE positions
are jumpered, as shown below.

Figure 20. Place Jumpers Across Both the SLAVE and CABLE SELECT Pins to

Perform the Self-Test Diagnostics.

6. If you removed the drive for access to the cable and mode jumpers, slide it back
into the computer and connect the power cable to the drive.

7. Replace the computer’s cover and re-connect the computer’s power cord to the
power source.

CAUTION: Turning on the computer power without first replacing the cover can be
dangerous to the computer’s components and also to you. Be aware of the danger of
electric shock and do not touch any components inside the computer.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 35

Section 4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

8. While pressing the eject button on the PlexWriter, turn the computer power on.
The LED indicator blinks green and amber and the tray ejects.

9. Insert a blank Plextor-recommended CD-R disc. Be sure to use only CD-R media
of the type recommended by Plextor.



If the DISC indicator blinks amber three times, the loaded disc is not a blank
CD-R disc. Remove the disc and insert a blank, Plextor-approved CD-R disc.

10. The drive begins the diagnostic routine. Upon completion of the diagnostic, you
see the results:



If there was no problem, the disc is ejected automatically.



If there was a problem, the disc is not ejected, and you see the LED indicator
blink green. One green blink indicates a write or read error. Two green
blinks indicate an initialization error.

11. If the disc was not ejected automatically, press the eject button to eject the disc.

12. Turn off the computer power.

13. Reset the mode jumper at the rear of the PlexWriter to its original setting as noted
in Step 4 above. Also, remove the extra jumper you installed.

14. Reconnect the IDE cable to the PlexWriter drive. If you removed the drive to
gain access to the cable or jumpers, replace the drive in the computer. Then
replace the computer cover.

If you discover a problem with the PlexWriter drive, do not attempt to service the
drive yourself. Contact us to get an RMA number and take steps to return the drive to
Plextor. See “Returning Your Drive to Plextor” on page 44 for details.

What the Self-Test Results Indicate

• If a drive passes the self-test, then the drive’s operation is OK.

• If the drive fails the self-test, in some cases the problem may be caused by the

media. Try the self-test again using a different brand of CD-R media; if the drive
passes the self-test this time, the drive is OK.

36 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications

Minimum System Requirements

Computer 300 MHz CPU or faster.

Minimum RAM 64 MB

Hard Disk Size 1 GB of free space to write to a CD in image mode

Operating System Windows XP, Me, 2000, 98, 98SE, 95

Recommended Media

CD-R: 52X Maxell, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden

CD-R: 40X Maxell, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden,

CD-R: 4-32X Maxell, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden,

CD-RW: 24X Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim

CD-RW: 10X-4X Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Ricoh

Supported Media

Supported Media,
Stamped CD

Supported Media, CD-R Orange Book Pt II-compliant discs (Type 74, Type 80).

Supported Media,
CD-RW

Supported Media Size 12 cm

Mitsui Chemicals

Mitsui Chemicals, Ricoh

Red, Yellow Book-compliant discs

94-minute, 99-minute discs are supported by the
Overburn feature.

Orange Book Pt III-compliant discs

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 37

Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications

Disc Types and Formats

Recordable Discs CD-DA, CD-EXTRA, CD-ROM Mode 1, Mixed Mode,

CD-ROM XA, Photo CD, Video CD, Multisession, CD­TEXT, CD+G, UDF, CD-I

Recordable Format CD-DA, CD-EXTRA, CD-ROM Mode 1, CD-ROM XA,

Photo CD, Video CD, Multisession, CD-TEXT, CD+G,
UDF, CD-I

Recording Method Disc at Once, Track at Once, Session at Once,

Multisession, Packet writing, Mount Rainier

Recording Disc Types CD-R, CD-RW

Rotation Speed 52X Speed, CAV, 10,500 rpm

Interface Enhanced IDE (ATAPI)

Performance Specifications

Read Speed, CD Speed Mode-1 Mode-2 CD-DA
22-52X Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW
18-40X Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW
14-32X Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW
10-24X Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW
8X CLV Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW
4X CLV Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW Stamp,R,RW

NOTE: 52X is obtained with SpeedRead activated.
Default is 40X.
NOTE: “Stamp” indicates commercially pressed “silver”
discs

Write Speed, CD-R

52X CAV
40X PCAV, 32X PCAV, 24X PCAV
20X CLV, 16X CLV, 8X CLV, 4X CLV

Write Speed, CD-RW Ultra Speed media: 24X PCAV

High Speed media: 4X, 10X
Normal Speed media: 4X

Transfer Rate Speed Write (Kbps) Read (Kbps)
52X 3000~7800 (CAV) 3432~7800 (CAV)
40X 3000~6000 (PCAV) 2710~6000 (CAV)
32X 3000~4800 (PCAV) 2170~4800 (CAV)
24X 3000~3600 (PCAV) 1600~3600 (CAV)
20X 3000 (CLV) —
16X 2400 (CLV) —
10X 1500 (CLV) —
8X 1200 (CLV) 1200 (CLV)
4X 600 (CLV) 600 (CLV)

38 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications

Performance Specifications (continued)

Data Transfer Rate Read: 3,432–7,800 KB/s (max). Linear Velocity: 1.2 m/s

Write: 3,300–7,800 KB/s (max)

Burst Mode Ultra DMA Mode-2 (33 MB/s), DMA-2(16.6 MB/s)

Access Time Random Access: <65 ms

Data Buffer 2 MB

Optical Pickup Laser: Semiconductor

Slide Mechanism DC Motor, Gear

Spindle Motor Brushless Motor

Error Rate Mode-1: 1 Block/10

12

Bits

Mode-2: 1 Block/109 Bits (Reference)

Initialization Time < 13 sec. (typical), < 15 sec. (max.)

Time measured from power on until disc is available to
read

Sleep Mode Entered after 2 minutes of no access to drive

Wake Mode < 5 sec. (max.) to start drive after sleep

Host Interface

Type ATA/ATAPI-5-compliant

PIO Transfers Modes 0-4

Multiword DMA

Modes 0-2

Transfers

Ultra DMA Transfers

Modes 0-2

ATAPI Command Set Supports CD-ROM commands, including special

commands for CD-R and CD-RW.

Inquiry string PLEXTOR sp CD-R sp sp sp PX-W5224A

(where “sp” equals one space)

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 39

Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications

Front Panel

CD Indicator Green: Disc load

Blinking yellow: Reading disc
Blinking amber: Writing data to disc
Green during writing: Buffer Under Run Proof is active

Disc Loading Auto, disc tray

Rear Panel

Power Supply DC +5V: Typically 800 mA during reading and writing

(52X). Peak (OPC and spinup): 1.5 A.
DC +12V: Typically 1.5 A during reading and writing
(52X). Peak (OPC and spinup): 2.5 A.

Interface Connector IDE bus, 40-pin flat ribbon type. Interface complies with

ATA/ATAPI-5. Maximum total cable length cannot
exceed 18 in (45.7 cm).

Analog Audio Output Stereo analog output, Molex connector (L*G*G*R),

MPC-3 standard
Output 0.8V +/-0.1V at 10k ohms

Digital Audio Output Digital audio output for input to SPDIF or Digital-In input

Mode Jumper Master (default), Slave, Cable Select

DMA Jumper Open (no jumper): Ultra DMA Mode 0-2 (default)

Short (jumper installed): Multiword DMA Mode 0-2

Environmental Conditions

Operating Temperature +5 to +40 degrees Celsius

Operating Humidity

Storage Temperature -40 to +60 degrees Celsius

Storage Humidity

20% to 80% (non-condensing)

20% to 95% (non-condensing)

Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions (W/H/D)
(excluding front panel)

5.75" x 1.63" x 7.48"
146 mm x 41.3 mm x 190 mm

Weight 2.2 lbs. (1.0 kg)

Reliability

MTBF 60,000 Power On Hours (12% Duty Cycle)

Tray Load/Unload 50,000 times

40 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications

Safety and EMC Standards

Country/ Region Type Agency Standard
USA Safety UL UL 1950
Laser FDA FDA 21 CFR
EMC FCC Part 15 Subpart B
Canada Safety CSA CSA 22.2 No. 950

UL1950 (C-UL Mark)
Europe Safety CE EN60950/IEC60825-1
Laser CE IEC 60825-1
EMC CE EN55024, EN50022
Taiwan EMC BSMI CNS13438 Class B
Korea EMC MIC
Australia/NZ EMC C-Tick AS/NZS 3548(CISPR 22)

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 41

Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications

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42 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Appendix B: Technical Support

Store Plextor’s e-mail, 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 33. 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 the most common questions
callers ask can be found quickly in the support area. Select PlexHelper for online
troubleshooting or FAQs for common questions.

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 Plextor Technical Support

There are several ways for you to contact Plextor’s Technical Support Department:

• Visit our web site (www.plextor.com

Questions.

• Send us e-mail at [e-mail]

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.

• Call 800-886-3935 and select the tech support option.

) for answers to Frequently Asked

. Include your telephone number and the

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

43

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 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 latest version of firmware you loaded onto the drive, if applicable.

• The version of the Windows operating system you are using.

• The brand name and model number of your computer (e.g., Dell 466/NP,

Hewlett-Packard Pavilion 752n, Apple Macintosh, 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).

Returning Your Drive to Plextor

In the unlikely event that you need to return a drive to Plextor, you need an RMA
(Returned Materials Authorization) number. You need this number before any
Plextor drive can be returned for repair or replacement. Here’s how you get an RMA
number and return your drive:

1. Contact Plextor Technical Support. You will receive assistance in
troubleshooting your system. If your Plextor 52/24/52A drive is determined to be
defective, you will receive a Tech Support Ticket Number.

2. Locate the RMA request form at:
https://www.plextor.com/english/support/rma_request_form.htm
form, providing the Technical Support Ticket number and details of the
Plextor 52/24/52A failure. After completing the form, click the Submit button.

You can also contact Plextor’s RMA Department by phone [phone]),
e-mail ([e-mail]
Request Form. You can then e-mail or fax the form to Plextor to request an RMA
number.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The RMA form will not be processed without the Tech Support
Ticket Number.

3. Plextor then sends you the RMA form with the RMA number and shipping
information included.

), or fax [phone]) and get an RMA

. Complete the

44 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Appendix B: Technical Support

4. When you receive the RMA number, pack the Plextor drive securely in a box,
and include the RMA form as a packing slip.

5. Write the RMA number in large letters on the outside of the box, and ship it to
Plextor.

Contacting Plextor’s RMA Department

You can contact our RMA Department and request RMA forms at:

• [e-mail]

• Or by fax at 510-651-9765

• Or by calling us at 800-886-3935

Shipping Your Drive to Plextor

Be sure to write the RMA number on the outside of the shipping box. Any drive sent
to Plextor without an RMA number will not be accepted.

NOTE: The RMA number must be clearly visible on the outside of the shipping box.

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.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 45

Appendix B: Technical Support

This page intentionally left blank.

46 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Appendix C: Warranty

PLEXTOR CORP. (“Plextor”) warrants your PlexWriter 52/24/52A against any
defect in material and workmanship, under normal use, for a period of one year
following its date of purchase. In the event this product is found to be defective
within the warranty period, PLEXTOR will, at its option, repair or replace the
defective unit.

This warranty is void: a) if the unit is operated or stored under abnormal use and
maintenance conditions; b) if the unit is repaired, modified or altered, unless such
repair, modification or alteration is expressly authorized in writing by PLEXTOR;
c) if the unit is subjected to abuse, neglect, lightning strike, electrical fault, improper
packaging, or accident; d) if the unit is installed improperly; or e) if the serial
number of the unit is defaced or missing.

PLEXTOR will not, under any circumstances, be liable for direct, special, or
consequential damages such as, but not limited to, damage or loss of property or
equipment, loss of profits or revenues, cost of replacement goods, or expense or
inconvenience caused by service interruptions. Under no circumstances will any
person be entitled to any sum greater than the purchase price paid for the unit.

To obtain warranty service, you must contact PLEXTOR’s Technical Support
Department by calling 800-886-3935. They will attempt to diagnose and correct your
problem by phone. If the unit does not function properly, they will issue a Return
Material Authorization (RMA) number. You may be asked to furnish proof of
purchase to confirm that the unit is still under warranty.

All product returns must be authorized in advance by PLEXTOR’s Technical
Support Department. Authorization is confirmed by issuance of the RMA number,
which must be written prominently on the outside of the box in which the defective
unit is returned to PLEXTOR.

All drives returned to PLEXTOR must be securely packaged and shipped postage
prepaid.

The drive will be returned to the customer at Plextor’s expense when originating
within the United States. For a drive originating outside of the United States, the
customer is responsible for shipping costs in both directions.

NOTE: Warranty validity is limited to that applicable in the location where the drive
was originally purchased.

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

47

Appendix C: Warranty

If You’re Outside the U.S. or Canada

Note that the warranty and RMA policy only applies to the United States and
Canada. If you are in South America, contact your dealer or reseller for all warranty
and RMA claims.

48 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

A

access time · 39
analog audio output · 40

connector · 6, 22
ATAPI command set · 39
ATAPI interface · 2, 38
audio

analog · 40

digital · 40
audio cable · 23

B

bay cover panel · 20
box

contents of · 4

shipping · 4, 44, 45
buffer · 39
Buffer Under Run Proof · 2, 30

LED indicator and · 5, 28, 40
burst mode · 39

C

cable

audio · 23

cable select · 19

IDE · 18, 19, 21

MPC · 23

power for drive · 19

Sound Blaster · 23

SPDIF · 23
cable connections · 22
cable select · 15, 16

cable for · 19

identifying · 16

master · 17

setting mode jumper · 12
call ticket number · 44
CD formats · 26, 38
CD+G · 2, 26, 38
CD-R

media · 25

reading speed · 1

Index

reading speed with SpeedRead · 2, 28,

38

writing speed · 1, 38
CD-ROM, playing · 25
CD-RW

media speed · 25

reading speed · 1, 38

writing speed · 1, 38
CD-TEXT · 2, 26, 38
cleaning disc · 27
closing disc tray · 26
computer, minimum · 3, 37
configuration

CSEL · 16

minimum · 3, 37

types of IDE · 10
connection

digital audio · 40

sound board and · 23
connector

analog audio output · 6, 22

digital audio · 6, 23

IDE interface · 6, 21

power · 6, 22
connectors and jumpers, rear-panel · 6, 40
controls, front-panel · 5, 40
cover panel, bay · 20
CSEL signal · 16

D

Dantz software · 7
data disc, reading speed with SpeedRead ·

28
diagnostics · 2, 34

CD write/read test · 34
digital audio output · 40

connector · 6, 23, 40
Digital-In connector · 6, 23, 40
dimensions · 40
disc

cleaning · 27

labels · 27

loading · 40
disc tray · 5

closing · 26

loading and unloading · 26

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

49

Index

reliability · 40

DMA · 39

jumper · 6, 17, 40
support for · 2

drive

installing · 18
recognizing in Windows · 24

E

Easy CD Creator software · 7
eject button · 5

closing tray · 26

SpeedRead and · 5, 29
EMC standards · 41
emergency eject tool · 4, 5
environmental conditions · 40
error rate · 39

F

firmware

obtaining · 33

upgrading · 2, 31, 33
flash memory · 2, 31, 33
formats, CD · 26, 38
front-panel controls · 5, 40

H

hard disk size · 3, 37
high speed CD-RW media · 25, 38
host interface · 39
humidity specification · 40

I

IDE configuration

determining · 10

examples · 13

selecting · 12
IDE interface connector · 6, 21
IDE ribbon cable · 18, 19

connecting · 21
initialization time · 39
inquiry string · 39
installation · 9, 18

quickstart · 9
interface connector · 40

J

jumper

DMA · 6, 17, 40
mode · 6, 11, 40

L

label, disc · 27
laser power, adjusting with VariRec · 30,

31

LED indicator · 5, 40

blink rate · 5, 28
Buffer Under Run Proof and · 5, 28, 40
color · 5, 28, 40
SpeedRead and · 5, 29

M

maintenance · 33
master · 10

cable select · 17
setting in BIOS · 24
setting mode jumper · 12

media · 25

care and handling · 27
recommended · 37

supported · 37
minimum configuration · 3, 37
mode jumper · 6, 40

setting · 11, 12
motor · 39
Mount Rainier · 2, 38
mounting position · 18
mounting rails · 20, 21
MPC-compliant audio cable · 23
MRW · See Mount Rainier
MTBF · 40
multiword DMA · 6, 17

transfers · 39

N

normal speed CD-RW media · 25, 38

O

OPC · See optimum power control
opening the computer · 9
operating system · 3, 37
optical pickup · 39
optimum power control · 2, 31

50 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Index

overburn · 32

requirements for · 32

P

performance specifications · 38
PIO transfers · 39
PlexTools software · 7

enabling SpeedRead with · 29

power cable · 19

connecting · 22
power connector · 6, 22
power supply · 40
PoweRec · 2, 31
precautions · 7
primary IDE port · 10

Q

quickstart installation · 9

R

rails · 20, 21
RAM, minimum · 3, 37
read specification · 38
reading speed · 38

CD-R · 1

CD-RW · 1, 38

data discs · 28

SpeedRead and · 2, 28, 38
rear-panel connectors and jumpers · 6, 40
recognizing the drive in Windows · 24
recording length, extending · 32
reliability · 40
Retrospect software · 7
returns · 44
RMA number · 44, 45
RMA request form · 44
ROPC · See running optimum power

control
Roxio software · 7
running optimum power control · 2

CD write/read test · 34
serial number, recording · 18
shipping your drive · 4, 44, 45
slave · 10

setting in BIOS · 24

setting mode jumper · 12
sleep mode · 39
slide mechanism · 39
software · 7
Sony/Philips digital interface · See SPDIF
Sound Blaster-compliant audio cable · 23
sound board, connections to · 23
SPDIF cable · 23
SPDIF connector · 6, 23, 40
specifications · 37
speed

monitoring · 28

reading CD-R · 1

reading CD-RW · 1, 38

writing · 13

writing CD-R · 1, 38

writing CD-RW · 38

writing with VariRec · 31
SpeedRead · 2, 28, 38

disabling · 29

eject button and · 5, 29

enabling manually · 29

LED indicator and · 5, 29

PlexTools and · 29

software overrides hardware settings ·

29
stereo output signal · 6
support · 43

T

tech support ticket number · 44
technical support · 43
temperature specification · 40
TLA code · 18
transfer rate · 38, 39
troubleshooting · 33

with self-test diagnostics · 2, 34

S

safety standards · 41
screws, mounting · 23
secondary IDE port · 10
security sticker · 4
selecting an IDE configuration · 12
self-test diagnostics · 2, 34

U

ultra DMA · 2, 6, 17, 39

transfers · 39
ultra speed CD-RW media · 25, 38
upgrading firmware · 2, 31, 33

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual 51

Index

V

VariRec · 2, 30

changing setting · 31
default setting · 31
writing speed and · 31

W

wake mode · 39
warranty · 47

weight · 40
write specification

CD-R · 38
CD-RW · 38

writing speed

CD-R · 1, 38
CD-RW · 1, 38
limitations on · 13
monitoring · 28
VariRec and · 2

52 PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

Notes

PlexWriter 52/24/52A Installation and Users Manual

53

P

LEXTOR CORP

.

48383 Fremont Blvd.
Suite 120
Fremont CA 94538-6509

Phone:

Fax:

510-440-2000

800-886-3935
510-651-9755

E-mail: [e-mail]

www.plextor.com