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
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