Plextor 8432 User Manual

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Model PX-W8432Ti (Internal)

Congratulations!

Thank you for purchasing the PlexWriter 8/4/32, a reliable, high-performance CD rewriter, recorder and reader. We appreciate the confidence you have shown in us. Our goal is to put you—and keep you—on the leading edge of CD technology.

To get you there, we first have to help you install your PlexWriter drive properly and operate it correctly. After that, the responsibility is yours to seek the applications that make rewritable CD such a powerful and exciting addition to your system.

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FCC NOTICE

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment causes harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• 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.

Any changes or modifications should be approved by the party responsible for compliance of FCC Rules; otherwise, the user loses authority to operate the equipment.

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

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

• Do not open the optical pickup housing.

• Obtain service only from Plextor-authorized personnel.

LASER INFORMATION

These products have been designed and manufactured according to IEC 825-1 on the Safety of Laser products. This product comes under “Class 1 Laser Products.” A Laser Caution Marking is attached on the top of the internal drive model: “Caution: Invisible laser radiation when open. Avoid direct exposure to beam.”

CAUTION: To disconnect the CD drive from an electrical current, pull out the power plug. VORSICHT: DIE TRENNUNG VOM NETZ ERFOLGT DURCH ZIEHEN DES NETZSECKES.

Zur Einhaltung der Funk-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 mub bei Inanspruchnahme der “Allgemeinen (Betriebs-) genehmigung” nach der BMPT-AmtsblVfg Nr. 243/1991 die gesamte Anlage folgenden Richtlinien entsprechen:

• Grenzwertklases B der EN55022

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

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

ÜG-Vfg.243

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Table of Contents

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

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

Meet Your PlexWriter 8/4/32 .........................................................................1

What the PlexWriter 8/4/32 Does................................................................1

What You Can Do with the PlexWriter 8/4/32.............................................2

Save Your Box! ..........................................................................................3

What's in the Box...........................................................................................3

PlexWriter Drive Features and Controls..........................................................4

Front Panel .................................................................................................4

Rear Panel ..................................................................................................5

About Mastering Software..............................................................................5

Precautions ....................................................................................................6

2. Installing Your PlexWriter ..........................................................................7

QuickStart Installation—For Experienced PC Users Only ...........................7

Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation..............................................7

Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration ..................................................8

Set the Drive’s Jumpers..................................................................................9

Changing the Jumper on Your Internal PlexWriter Drive.............................9

Select an IDE Configuration...........................................................................10

About Cable Select.........................................................................................12

Install the PlexWriter Drive............................................................................12

Record the Serial Number...........................................................................12

Mount the PlexWriter Drive in the Computer..............................................12

Using Soundboards and Audio Cables ............................................................17

Choosing and Connecting Audio Cables ..................................................... 17

Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized................................................................17

Enable DMA..................................................................................................19

3. Installing and Using Software......................................................................21

Install Device Drivers.....................................................................................21

Install Plextor Applications Software..............................................................22

PlextorManager 2000 ................................................................................. 22

CD Res-Q*.................................................................................................22

Other Applications Software...........................................................................23

4. Using Your PlexWriter ................................................................................25

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

Tray Loading and Operation...........................................................................25

Handling CD Media ...................................................................................26

Cleaning Discs ........................................................................................... 26

Playing Audio CDs ........................................................................................ 27

Connections for Playing Audio CDs ........................................................... 27

Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media..............................................................28

5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting ..............................................................29

Upgrading Firmware......................................................................................29

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Troubleshooting.............................................................................................30

Troubleshooting: General...........................................................................30

Troubleshooting: Read ...............................................................................32

Troubleshooting: Audio..............................................................................34

Troubleshooting: Writing Discs.................................................................. 35

Troubleshooting for Macintosh Users.........................................................39

6. Frequently Asked Questions about Recording............................................ 41

Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications........................................................... 43

Appendix B: Technical Support ...................................................................... 45

How to Contact Us.........................................................................................45

Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call............................................................46

Returns.......................................................................................................... 46

Appendix C: Helpful Contacts......................................................................... 47

Contacts for CD-R and CD-RW Components.................................................47

Contacts for PC Vendors................................................................................ 48

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

iv PlexWriter 8/4/32 Operation Manual

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1. Getting Started

This manual explains how to install and use your internal ATAPI PlexWriter 8/4/32 drive. For those of you with PCs, the installation process may seem a bit complicated (Mac people have it easy). Fear not. We have successfully walked through the installation process with millions of customers who previously had lived in mortal terror of the innards of their computer.

About this Manual

Please read this manual carefully and keep it handy for easy reference. Use the manual for installation, operation and troubleshooting. See your dealer or call Plextor’s Technical Support Department should your drive require repair or service.

In this manual you should find all the information you need to successfully install, operate and troubleshoot your drive. If you run into a problem that doesn't seem to be covered, however, please contact us. (See “Appendix B: Technical Support” for the different ways you can contact us). You will be connected to our friendly, helpful band of tech support engineers who know their stuff. What might seem like an uncooperative drive to you could very well be a 30-second fix to them. But we will never know unless you contact us.

Meet Your PlexWriter 8/4/32

The PlexWriter 8/4/32 is a CD-ReWritable drive that provides professional quality CD performance for writing, rewriting and reading.

What the PlexWriter 8/4/32 Does

The PlexWriter 8/4/32 writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 8X speed or to CD-RW (rewritable CD) media at up to 4X speed. It reads all CD-ROM and CD-R media at a maximum of 32X speed with an average access time of 170 milliseconds. Maximum read speed of CD-RW media is 20X.

Reliable writing is virtually guaranteed, thanks to unique circuitry that automatically detects the type of media being recorded and adjusts the PlexWriter 8/4/32 to provide the optimum laser power and length of burn. The PlexWriter 8/4/32 has an IDE interface that supports the ATAPI-4 command set including special commands for CD-R.

The PlexWriter 8/4/32 is fully MMC-compliant, supporting writing features such as Disc-at-Once, Track-at-Once and Session-at-Once, as well as variable and fixed packet writing. It also supports the UDF file system implemented through packet writing.

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Section 1. Getting Started

The PlexWriter 8/4/32 supports running OPC and is compatible with Windows Plug & Play. Flash memory allows upgrading the PlexWriter 8/4/32 to the latest firmware revision (available from the Plextor web site) without opening the drive. Plextor backs up this remarkable drive with a one-year full warranty on parts and labor, and unlimited toll-free tech support.

What You Can Do with the PlexWriter 8/4/32

Just look at some of the things you can do with your PlexWriter 8/4/32:

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

• Play music CDs.

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

• Create a “CD sneakernet” to share information with colleagues—just use

software such as Adaptec DirectCD to Drag & Drop files onto CD-R or CD-RW media, then continue adding files and sharing the same CD disc.

• Archive images and video to CD.

• Master new software programs on CD.

• Periodically back up your computer's hard disk, including operating system,

hardware configuration, registry, program files and data. Plextor's CD Res-Q™* software makes this easy! You can even make a bootable CD. Information on CD Res-Q can also be found at http://www.plextor.com/cdresq.htm.

* CD Res-Q™ is available for purchase directly from Plextor.

To purchase CD Res-Q by phone, please call us at 408-980-1838 ext. 4 .

To purchase CD Res-Q by email, send your request to sales@plextor.com. Type: CD RES-Q REQUEST in the subject line. You will also need to include the serial number of your drive.

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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 8/4/32 drive in this configuration:

• PlexWriter 8/4/32 CD-RW drive

• 40-pin IDE ribbon cable

• 4 mounting screws

• 1 piece of approved CD-RW

media

• 1 piece of approved CD-R media

• Plextor CD with bundled pre-

mastering and packet writing software, including PlextorManager 2000

• PlexWriter 8/4/32 operation

manual

• Warranty registration card

• PlextorManager 2000 manual

Section 1. Getting Started

Save Your Box!

Be sure to save the box after you have installed your PlexWriter drive. The box and its packaging material were designed and drop tested to ensure your PlexWriter can endure rough treatment and still arrive in working order.

Please save the tray insert that was used to protect the delicate internal components during shipping. Should you need to ship the PlexWriter, it should be placed on the tray inside the drive.

We hope you will never have to ship your drive back to us. If you do, however, it's best to send it packaged in the original box. Some of our customers have not held on to their boxes and have had to resort to less-than-secure methods to get drives back to us.

If the security sticker on top of your box is cut, there may be a good reason: for example, a dealer may have added other components or software. Carefully check the contents to ensure nothing has been removed. If something is missing, contact the party from whom you purchased the box for an explanation.

If your drive came pre-installed, some or all of the items above may have been installed and may not be separately available.

See Appendix C for locations to purchase additional or replacement accessories.

We cannot assume liability for any damage your drive sustains during shipment. Therefore, please ship your drive in the safest manner possible.

Before shipping your drive, refer to the Plextor web site for pointers. The web site is at: http://www.plextor.com

If you did not receive a box (for example, your drive came pre-installed in a computer), we recommend you pay a packaging store (such as Mail Boxes Etc.) to ship your drive. If you don’t have a packaging store in your area, ask our Technical Support Department for packaging pointers when you call to get an RMA number before returning any drive.

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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 8/4/32 Drive

• Tray front door: Attached to tray drawer.

• Headphone jack: Stereo mini-jack for headphones and powered speakers.

• Volume control: Controls volume of headphone jack.

• Disc indicator: Illuminated during power up or when disc is inserted and being

initialized. Blinks when reading or writing data from or to disc.

• Stop/Eject button: Push to eject or insert tray.

• Emergency eject hole: Insert emergency eject stick, paper clip, or other thin,

rigid object to eject tray if automatic eject button does not work. Turn OFF power before using this feature.

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Section 1. Getting Started

Rear Panel

Figure 2: Rear Panel of the PlexWriter 8/4/32 Internal Drive

• Audio output connector: Outputs stereo analog signal. Use to connect to

soundboard or audio amplifier. Use standard MPC-3 type, 4-pin connector.

• Jumpers: Use to select operation as an IDE master or slave, or for cable select.

In general, leave these jumpers at their factory settings.

• IDE interface connector: Connects to IDE interface using 40-pin IDE flat

ribbon cable.

• Power connector: Connects to your computer’s power supply to provide

DC +5V and +12V to the PlexWriter.

About Mastering Software

In order to create CD-R and CD-RW discs you will need to have mastering software installed on your computer system. You can check our web site (www.plextor.com) for an updated list of software that supports your drive. We provide mastering software kits in retail packaging for your convenience.

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Section 1. Getting Started

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.

• 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 CD discs free of dirt or other contaminants, by storing them in jewel

cases. Use only industry-standard discs. Do not insert dirty, warped, poorly balanced, or cracked discs into the drive.

• Do not clean discs using a circular motion. Instead, use a radial motion: start at

the center of the disc and proceed to the outer edge.

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2. Installing Your PlexWriter

This chapter explains how to physically install your PlexWriter in your computer. The steps you'll need to do are as follows:

1. Turn OFF your computer system.

2. Set the jumpers for your new

PlexWriter drive, if necessary.

3. Mount the PlexWriter drive into

an available drive bay inside the computer system.

4. Make all necessary cabling

connections: IDE cable, power cable, and audio cable.

5. Turn your computer system ON.

The following pages give more details for this procedure.

QuickStart Installation—For Experienced PC Users Only

If you’ve installed computer peripherals before, you’re in luck with the PlexWriter drive. Use this QuickStart installation to get up and running quickly.

Typical Scenario 1: You have a PC with an IDE interface installed, you have Windows 95/98 or NT, and you have nothing installed on the secondary IDE port. What to do: Leave the PlexWriter’s jumper set to Master, attach it to the secondary IDE port, and go. Windows will recognize the drive automatically.

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.

Typical Scenario 2: You have a PC with an IDE interface installed, you have Windows 95/98 or NT, the primary IDE bus already has two devices connected and you have a CDROM 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.

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

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.

Figure 3: Removing a Typical Computer's Cover

Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration

With your computer open, determine the existing IDE configuration. You can do this by looking at the 40-pin IDE ribbon cable (or cables—there may be two) and seeing what is connected to them.

One end of the IDE cable is connected to a port on the computer’s motherboard; and the other end is connected to one or two peripheral devices (such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive). If there are two devices, one is considered the master and the other the slave. If there are two IDE ports, one is for the primary IDE bus and the other is for the secondary bus.

A typical computer’s IDE configuration is usually one of the following:

• Hard disks connected as master and slave devices on primary IDE port; CD-

ROM drive connected as master device on secondary IDE port.

• Hard disk connected as master device and CD-ROM drive connected as slave on

the primary IDE port; nothing connected to secondary IDE port.

• Hard disk connected as master device on primary IDE port; nothing connected to

secondary IDE port.

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Set the Drive’s Jumpers

You specify your drive's master or slave setting before installing it. You do this by changing the position of a jumper on the jumper block at the rear of the drive.

Your drive ships from our factory with its jumper set to operate the PlexWriter as a master. This will work in the most commonly found environments.

Changing the Jumper on Your Internal PlexWriter Drive

As shown in Figure 4, the PlexWriter drive arrives from the factory with its jumper set to MASTER. (A function is ON if the jumper is installed and OFF if the jumper is removed.)

Figure 4: Factory Settings for Jumpers at the Rear of the Drive

Changing to a Master, Slave, or Cable Select

The Master/Slave setting for the drive is determined by the jumper. To change the drive from Master to Slave or to Cable Select, you must move the jumper. For example, to change the PlexWriter drive to be a Slave, move the jumper to the middle set of pins, leaving the other pins uncovered. To change the drive for Cable Select, move the jumper to the left set of pins.

Changing Jumper Settings

To remove a jumper, pull it off with your fingers or a pair of needle-nose pliers.

To install a jumper, push it onto the jumper pins.

CAUTION: Ensure power to the drive is OFF before installing or removing jumpers.

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Figure 5: Install Jumpers Across Vertical Pairs of Pins

CAUTION: Install jumpers across each pin as shown (vertically). Do not connect one pin switch to another by installing the jumpers lengthwise (horizontally). Doing so could result in damage to the drive.

Select an IDE Configuration

Set the jumper according to the desired configuration, as shown in this table and the illustrations.

Before PlexWriter Installation How to Install the PlexWriter

A Hard disks connected as master and

slave devices on primary IDE port; CD-ROM connected as master device on secondary IDE port.

Connect the PlexWriter as master device to the secondary IDE port. Remove the CD-ROM drive, change it to slave, and connect it to the secondary IDE port.

B Hard disk connected as master

device and CD-ROM drive connected as slave on the primary IDE port; nothing connected to secondary IDE port.

C Hard disk connected as master

device on primary IDE port; nothing connected to secondary IDE port.

NOTE: For best performance, try to connect the PlexWriter to the IDE port that is not connected to the hard disk drive or to a CD-ROM drive. In most cases, connect the PlexWriter to the secondary IDE port as a master.

NOTE: For best results, set the PlexWriter to be the master, if possible. DMA setting must be enabled on your system to achieve 8X writing speed.

Connect the PlexWriter as master to secondary IDE port.

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

How to Install the PlexWriter

Figure 6: Typical IDE Configurations for Connecting the PlexWriter Drive

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

About Cable Select

The Cable Select jumper position sets the PlexWriter drive to use the CSEL signal from the IDE interface for configuration. This signal automatically selects the correct Master/Slave setting for the PlexWriter. To use CSEL, you must have:

• A computer that supports CSEL.

• A special CSEL IDE cable.

Figure 7: Using the CSEL Signal to Configure the PlexWriter Drive

Install the PlexWriter Drive

Before proceeding to install the PlexWriter drive in your personal computer, 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. If your drive came preinstalled, you can get this information using PlextorManager 2000. See the PlextorManager 2000 user's manual for instructions.

Mount the PlexWriter Drive in the Computer

You can mount your internal PlexWriter drive in any available bay. You must remove the small panel that covers the bay that you want to use.

CAUTION: Install your PlexWriter horizontally. Plextor does not guarantee the drive’s performance in a vertical position.

If you don’t have an empty bay, remove the existing IDE CD-ROM drive and install the PlexWriter.

You must make a minimum of two cable connections to your PlexWriter. The two cable connections that you must make are:

• IDE cable

• Power cable

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

A third cable connection will need to be made if you are using a soundboard in your computer and plan to connect the PlexWriter’s audio output to the audio connector on the soundboard.

Do You Need Another IDE Ribbon Cable?

The IDE cable is a standard 40-pin flat-ribbon cable, usually with three connectors. One end connects to the IDE port on your computer’s motherboard, and the other two connectors are free for attaching peripherals such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive.

You may need to install another IDE ribbon cable in your computer. You can use the extra IDE cable supplied with your PlexWriter.

Figure 8: Internal IDE Ribbon Cable

CAUTION: Don’t try to string too many IDE cables together. The length of any IDE cable cannot exceed 18 inches.

Do You Need a Power Cable?

In most computers, you will find free power connectors in the computer ready for your use. When you open the computer, check the cable running from your power supply to your hard disk and see if it has extra connectors on it. If so, you can plug one of these into the power connector found on the rear panel of the 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 are OFF and

your computer is UNPLUGGED from its power source.

2. If you haven't already removed your computer's cover, remove it now, following

the directions provided by your computer’s manufacturer. Typically, this involves loosening or removing several screws on the back panel of your computer and sliding off the cover. See Figure 3 for details.

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

3. Remove the cover panel from the bay that will hold the PlexWriter drive. To

remove the cover panel, pop it out by pressing outward lightly. (In some older computers, you may have to remove screws that hold the panel in place.)

Figure 9: Removing the Cover Panel from a Bay

4. Determine if you must install mounting rails on the sides of your drive. To do so,

insert the drive into the open bay. If the drive fits tightly with little or no clearance on either side of the drive, you will not have to use mounting rails. The drive can be mounted directly into your computer. Go to step 6.

NOTE: Plextor does not provide rails. If you need rails, you can obtain them from the computer manufacturer or from a computer supply retail or mail-order store.

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

5. If you must use mounting rails, fasten the rails to the lower pair of holes as

shown in Figure 10. (In some instances, you may need to fasten the rails to the upper set of holes.) After fastening the rails, check their positioning by sliding the drive into the bay before you mount the drive or connect any cables.

Figure 10: Installing Mounting Rails (if Needed)

6. Plug a free connector on the IDE cable into the IDE connector on the rear panel

of the drive before you insert the drive into your computer. Then thread the cable through the front of the open bay and back toward the motherboard. The drive should slide smoothly into the bay. If it does not, check for obstructions in the bay and ensure the side rails are attached properly.

7. If not already connected, attach one end of the IDE ribbon cable to the connector

on the motherboard.

Figure 11: Connecting the IDE Ribbon Cable

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

CAUTION: It is easy to accidentally plug your IDE ribbon cable upside down into both your drive and the motherboard. Be sure you match the red stripe along one side of the IDE cable to Pin 1 on the motherboard and Pin 1 on the drive. (Pin 1 on the drive is closest to the power connector.) Each connector on the ribbon cable has a “key” in the middle. This key should fit into a slot in the middle of each connector of the motherboard, your PlexWriter, and any other internal IDE peripherals.

8. Double-check your work. You must ensure the side of the IDE cable with the red

stripe is matched to Pin 1 on the interface board and on the drive.

Figure 12: Power and IDE Connections for an Internal PlexWriter Drive

CAUTION: In the case of only one IDE device, you must make certain that one end of the cable is always connected to the IDE connector on the motherboard. The other end of the connector must be connected to a device. The end connector of the cable should never be left unconnected.

9. Connect a power cable from the computer to the DC INPUT connector of the

PlexWriter drive. In most computers, you will find free power connectors that are ready for your use.

Check the cable running from your power supply to your hard disk and see if it has extra connectors on it. If so, you can plug one of these into the power connector found on the rear panel of the PlexWriter.

10. Connect the audio cable if you want to use a soundboard in your system. This

cable runs from the four-pin audio output connector on the rear panel of your PlexWriter drive to your soundboard. See “Using Soundboards and Audio Cables” on page 17 for more information about audio cables.

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

11. Mount the PlexWriter drive in the computer using the four screws were supplied

with your drive. Use only these screws.

CAUTION: Do not mount your drive in your computer using screws other than those supplied by Plextor. You may damage the drive if you insert screws that are too long.

Using Soundboards and Audio Cables

Whichever category your soundboard falls into, you will find that the best source of information about installing the soundboard in your computer is the board's manual. Once you have successfully installed the soundboard in your computer, you can continue below for a description of the different cable connections that need to be made.

Choosing and Connecting Audio Cables

To make audio connections to your PlexWriter, you may have to purchase an audio cable from a computer supply store.

Audio Connection Cable

Required

MPC audio source MPC-compliant

audio cable

Sound Blaster or compatible soundboard

Sound Blastercompatible audio cable

How to Connect It

Connect to MPC audio source, and to audio output connector at the rear of the PlexWriter. Connect to Sound Blastercompatible audio board and to audio output connector at the rear of the PlexWriter

We can help by recommending several vendors who offer audio cables; see page 47 of this manual.

Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized

After installation, make sure the PlexWriter drive and other IDE peripherals are recognized by your computer. To check whether they are recognized:

On a PC with Windows 95 or 98:

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

Windows display.

2. Open Windows Explorer and ensure there is an icon for the PlexWriter, the hard

disk, and other CD-ROM drives, if present. The PlexWriter may be D: or E: or another designator.

3. If the PlexWriter drive is not recognized in Windows, reboot the computer and

use your computer’s setup program to program the BIOS to recognize it.

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

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

4. Use the setup program to set up IDE Master and Slave designations as needed for

your configuration, on the primary or secondary IDE bus. If the IDE interface is disabled on your computer, you will need to enable it. If a master or slave device is set to “disable” or “none” or a similar designation, change it as appropriate to “enable” or “auto” (or something similar, depending on your setup program).

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

6. In Windows, click the Start button, then Settings, then Control Panel, then

double-click on System icon, then click on Device Manager tab. Click + sign next to the CD-ROM icon and look at the PX-W8432T drive underneath the CDROM icon.

7. If you do not see the PX-W8432T drive icon, or if it has a yellow diamond with

an explanation point (!), contact your PC or motherboard manufacturer to get the appropriate IDE controller driver.

On a PC with Windows NT:

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

Windows display.

2. Open Windows Explorer and ensure there is an icon for the PlexWriter, the hard

disk, and other CD-ROM drives, if present. The PlexWriter may be D: or E: or another designator.

3. If the PlexWriter drive is not recognized in Windows NT, reboot the computer

and use your computer’s setup program to program the BIOS to recognize it. Reboot the computer when you are finished.

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

4. Use the setup program to set up IDE master and slave designations as needed for

your configuration on the primary or secondary bus. If a master or slave is set to “disable” or “none” (or a similar designation, change it as appropriate to “enable” or “auto” (or something similar, depending on your setup program).

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

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Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter

Enable DMA

To achieve top speeds for reading and writing with your PlexWriter drive, direct memory access (DMA) must be enabled for the drive. To ensure that DMA is enabled:

1. In Windows 95 or 98, click the Start button, then Settings, then Control Panel,

then double-click on System icon, then click on Device Manager tab. You see a list of devices in your system.

2. Double-click the CD-ROM icon and choose the PX-W8432T drive by clicking

on it once. Then, click on the Properties button and select the Settings tab. You see the drive properties for the PlexWriter.

3. Ensure the DMA box is checked ON, as well as all other check boxes in this

window.

4. Click on OK button and then click on the Close button to exit System Properties

window.

5. When prompted if you want to restart you computer now, select yes for this

change to be enabled and saved.

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3. Installing and Using Software

There's one more step before you can begin to use your PlexWriter drive: you need to install special software on your computer. There are two software types:

• Device driver: Software program that allows your computer to interact with the

PlexWriter drive. Drivers are included in Windows 95/98 and NT that let you operate your PlexWriter as a CD-ROM device (reader). The device driver is installed automatically by the operating system as long as the IDE interface is enabled in your system’s motherboard BIOS.

• Application software: Software programs for specific tasks, such as mastering

CDs, backing up your hard disk or files, capturing audio, duplicating CDs, and more. Some of these applications are supplied with your PlexWriter if purchased as a kit from Plextor, while others are available from other vendors.

If you have any problems at all, our technical support staff will help you.

Install Device Drivers

Your PlexWriter acts as a "CD-ROM Drive" for purposes of installation and setup. In some cases, you will need to install additional software to make use of all of the features of the PlexWriter.

• Using the PlexWriter on a PC:

q As CD-ROM: The computer’s operating system, whether it is Windows 95,

Windows 98, or Windows NT, supplies a generic CD-ROM device driver that allows the PlexWriter to function as a standard CD-ROM drive. You don’t need to install anything else.

q As a CD-R or CD-RW device: In order to write to CD-R or CD-RW media,

you will need additional software. If you purchased a kit from Plextor, software is supplied.

• Using the PlexWriter on a Macintosh: Whether using the PlexWriter as a

standard CD-ROM or as a CD-R or CD-RW device, you will need additional drivers or software besides those that are part of the Macintosh operating system. You will need to purchase this software separately. The compatibility list is available from Plextor’s web site at www.plextor.com.

Before installing any software, check that all the cable connections between your PlexWriter and computer are correct, that the jumper is set properly, and the PlexWriter is recognized by your system.

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Section 3. Installing and Using Software

Install Plextor Applications Software

Windows 95, 98, and NT can immediately operate your PlexWriter drive as a CD-ROM device (reader) and permit the drive to be recognized by the computer's operating system. In order to take advantage of the PlexWriter’s ability to record on CD-R or CD-RW media, however, you will also need packet writing and mastering applications software on your PC. You can also check the compatibility list on the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com, for software that supports the PlexWriter under other operating systems. You will need to purchase this software separately.

If you purchased your PlexWriter as part of a Plextor kit, much of the software you need is included for use on a PC. Plextor has developed several utilities to help you get the most from your PlexWriter drive.

PlextorManager 2000

This unique suite of audio management and drive control applications puts you in the CD "driver’s" seat. A variety of distinctive modules allow you to listen to, record and even create your own playlists using a standard and digital audio file formats. Rip the finest quality audio using digital audio extraction at high speed. Need to make a duplicate CD? A simple mouse click and you’re done. Control every aspect of the drive from spinup and spindown timeout to eject lock. PlextorManager 2000 also gives you information on the drive's configuration and the media inserted into it.

See the Plextor Manager User’s Manual for details.

CD Res-Q*

For backup and disaster recovery, CD Res-Q lets you create an image of your hard drive on secure, reliable CD-R media. By spanning CDs, you can back up your entire HDD. Additional features include making a CD bootable, choice of compression, HDD or image file integrity verification, and more.

NOTE: CD Res-Q backup works only with Plextor CD-R and CD-RW drives. You can restore from any drive.

* CD Res-Q™ is available for purchase directly from Plextor.

To purchase CD Res-Q by phone, please call us at 408-980-1838 ext. 4 .

To purchase CD Res-Q by email, send your request to sales@plextor.com. Type: CD RES-Q REQUEST in the subject line. You will also need to include the serial number of your drive.

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Section 3. Installing and Using Software

Other Applications Software

Other valuable applications software—which may already be included if you purchased a kit from Plextor—lets you use your PlexWriter drive in exciting new ways.

• Packet writing software: This type of application lets you use your PlexWriter

as an enormous floppy drive. You can just Drag & Drop files straight to a CD-R or CD-RW disc.

• Mastering software: In conjunction with your PlexWriter drive, mastering

software lets you create specific format discs, such as audio, data, mixed mode, etc…

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