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Appendix A: PlexWriter 12/4/32 Specifications  

60

  PlexWriter 12/4/32 Operation Manual 

Front Panel 

Eject 

Auto Eject; Manual Emergency Eject 
 

Lights 

Disc In; On/Busy; High Speed Write; Normal Write; RW 
Write 
 

Disc Loading 

Auto load/auto eject 
 

Headphone Jack 

Stereo mini-jack, 0.8V at 32 ohms 
 

Volume Control 

Wheel knob 
 

CD-Audio Controls 

Play/Track Advance; Stop/Eject 

 
Rear Panel  

Power Supply 

Internal SCSI Drive: DC +5V and DC +12V 

 

External SCSI Drive: AC 100-250V 50/60 Hz 
 

Power Switch 

External SCSI Drive: Tumbler type; 3A, 250V 
 

Interface Connector 

Internal SCSI Drive: SCSI bus, 50-pin flat ribbon type 

 

External SCSI Drive: SCSI bus, two (2) 50-pin high 
density 
 

SCSI Termination 

Internal SCSI Drive: Jumper switches 

 

External SCSI Drive: DIP switches 
 

Audio Connector 

Internal Drive: Analog output, Molex connector 

 

External Drive: Analog output, RCA jacks 
 

Jumper Switches 

Internal SCSI Drive: SCSI ID, parity, termination, test, 
block size, SPDIF (connector) 
 

DIP Switches 

External SCSI Drive: Parity, termination, test, block size 
 

Rotary Switch 

External SCSI Drive: SCSI ID 

 
Environmental Conditions 

Operating Temperature  
 

0 to 45 degrees Celsius 
 

Performance Guarantee 

5 to 40 degrees Celsius 
 

Operating Humidity 
 

20% to 80% (non-condensing) 

Storage Temperature 
 

–40 to 60 degrees Celsius 

Storage Humidity 

20% to 95% (non-condensing) 
 

Transportation Humidity 

20% to 95% (non-condensing) 
 

 

Summary of Contents for PlexWriter 12/4/32

Page 1: ...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 dri...

Page 2: ...TION 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 invisibl...

Page 3: ...SCSI Termination Setting 13 Do I Have to Change Other PlexWriter SCSI Settings 15 Setting Jumpers on a PlexWriter Internal SCSI Drive 15 Setting Switches on a PlexWriter External SCSI Drive 18 Instal...

Page 4: ...Users 56 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Recording 57 Appendix A PlexWriter 12 4 32 Specifications 59 Appendix B Installing a SCSI Drive in Windows 63 Installing SCSI Drivers in Windows 95 98 63 In...

Page 5: ...ke 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 12 4 32 The PlexWriter 12 4 32 is a CD ReWritable drive th...

Page 6: ...nformation with colleagues just use software such as Adaptec DirectCD to Drag and Drop files onto CD R or CD RW media then continue adding files and sharing the same CD disc Archive images and video t...

Page 7: ...our 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...

Page 8: ...I Drive Item Drive with Software Kit Drive with PCI SCSI Kit Drive with Software Kit Drive with PCI SCSI Kit CD RW drive X X X X 4 mounting screws X X Approved CD RW media 1 piece X X X X Approved CD...

Page 9: ...eeding become familiar with the controls and features of your PlexWriter drive Match the parts of your drive to the illustrations below Front Panel Internal Drive Figure 1 Front Panel of the PlexWrite...

Page 10: ...reen when power is ON and no disc is in drive Green flashing when disc is being accessed WRITE L indicator Orange when recording CD R discs at 2X 4X or 8X speed WRITE H indicator Orange when recording...

Page 11: ...e page 12 for details PRTY Parity In some cases you may need to turn parity off see page 15 TERM SCSI termination In some situations you may need to set this jumper to turn the PlexWriter s SCSI termi...

Page 12: ...RTY Parity In some cases you may need to turn parity off see page 15 TERM SCSI termination In some situations you may need to set this jumper to turn the PlexWriter s SCSI termination off see page 13...

Page 13: ...ft dust free cloth for cleaning your drive 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...

Page 14: ...Section 1 Getting Started 10 PlexWriter 12 4 32 Operation Manual This page intentionally left blank...

Page 15: ...ctions SCSI cable power cable and audio cable 7 Turn your computer system ON The following pages give more details for this procedure Quickstart SCSI Installation For Experienced PC Users Only If you...

Page 16: ...necessary to change the block size setting most likely in an older UNIX system Do I Have to Change My PlexWriter s SCSI ID Number Your PlexWriter SCSI drive is shipped from the factory with its SCSI I...

Page 17: ...wn a SCSI interface board it may not be SCAM compliant In this case you should determine the SCSI IDs of all peripheral devices and change the PlexWriter s ID to a unique number You don t know if your...

Page 18: ...n the chain to on Figure 5 What Termination Settings to Use REMEMBER Only the last SCSI peripheral in the chain should have termination enabled If you have any SCSI devices chained after your PlexWrit...

Page 19: ...ing is enabled ON See page 13 for an explanation of SCSI termination and to determine if you need to change this setting TEST Leave this OFF It is for factory use only BLOCK Block size Leave this OFF...

Page 20: ...remove a jumper pull it off with your fingers or a pair of needle nose pliers CAUTION Ensure power to the drive is OFF before installing or removing jumpers To add a jumper push it onto the jumper pi...

Page 21: ...he SCSI ID at 3 you would install a jumper across Pin 1 another jumper across Pin 2 leaving Pin 3 uncovered To set the SCSI ID at 2 you would install a jumper across Pin 2 leaving Pins 1 and 3 uncover...

Page 22: ...essary However you still must sometimes specify termination ON or OFF on the PlexWriter drive as discussed on page 13 Setting Switches on a PlexWriter External SCSI Drive Use this procedure if you hav...

Page 23: ...pherals only then you should be using an external SCSI cable or cables In this case all devices between the SCSI host adapter and the last peripheral on the end of your SCSI chain should have their te...

Page 24: ...his board is included Connecting the PlexWriter to a parallel to SCSI interface or to the SCSI interface on a sound board will slow the PlexWriter s performance and is not recommended With this config...

Page 25: ...your computer is UNPLUGGED from its power source Figure 9 Removing a Typical Computer s Cover 2 Remove your computer s cover following the directions provided by your computer s manufacturer Typicall...

Page 26: ...oard and try again 7 Once you have successfully inserted the board fasten it in place using the cover plate screw that you removed earlier Install a PlexWriter Internal SCSI Drive This section explain...

Page 27: ...o connector on the sound board A cable connection if the sound board is equipped with SPDIF and you wish to use the SPDIF digital audio output from your PlexWriter Choose a SCSI Ribbon Cable The SCSI...

Page 28: ...er and any external peripherals is 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 yo...

Page 29: ...per 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 13 Installing Mounting Rails if Needed 6 Pl...

Page 30: ...able has a key in the middle This key should fit into a slot in the middle of each connector of the SCSI interface board your PlexWriter and any other internal SCSI peripherals 8 Double check your wor...

Page 31: ...ge 31 for more information about audio cables Figure 15 Installing the Optional SPDIF Cable 11 Connect the SPDIF cable if your sound board is equipped with SPDIF and you wish to use the SPDIF digital...

Page 32: ...ral device the PlexWriter drive and one other peripheral connect the two peripherals to the other two connectors The device farthest from the SCSI must have its termination set to ON Refer to page 13...

Page 33: ...SI Drive PlexWriter 12 4 32 Operation Manual 29 Connect a Single SCSI Drive If you are installing a single PlexWriter external SCSI drive connect it as shown in Figure 17 Figure 17 Connecting a Single...

Page 34: ...al SCSI peripherals connect them as shown in Figure 18 Figure 18 Connecting Multiple External SCSI Drives or Peripherals NOTE Performance of SCSI devices may suffer if total cable length in the SCSI c...

Page 35: ...s which also include SCSI interface boards because we are assuming this will be the primary or possibly the first SCSI CD ROM in your system Your PlexWriter Kit Audio Cables You Received How to Connec...

Page 36: ...face kit and you have a sound board other than Sound Blaster that is not MPC compliant you will have to purchase a different audio cable from a computer supply store We can help by recommending severa...

Page 37: ...dows Windows 95 98 should automatically recognize and support your interface board and PlexWriter drive Microsoft has included a generic CD ROM device driver in the operating system and this driver su...

Page 38: ...ws NT However if your SCSI board was released recently it may not be supported in this case contact the SCSI board manufacturer at their web site for the required SYS file If you have DOS or Windows 3...

Page 39: ...need to install anything else 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 P...

Page 40: ...ord 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 mo...

Page 41: ...rom 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 drag and drop file...

Page 42: ...Section 3 Installing and Using Software 38 PlexWriter 12 4 32 Operation Manual This page intentionally left blank...

Page 43: ...discs CD R Recordable CD You can record on these discs but only once You can also read them CD RW ReWritable CD These discs support recording and re recording up to 1 000 times You can also read them...

Page 44: ...u 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...

Page 45: ...the rear of the drive and connect the other end to your sound board There are two types of audio you may encounter CD Audio This comes from audio discs like the ones used by your home stereo that are...

Page 46: ...s Plextor Manager 2000 software provides several unique and powerful capabilities for playing audio For installation and operating instructions refer to the separate Plextor Manager 2000 User s Manual...

Page 47: ...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 driv...

Page 48: ...is not connected properly Solution 1 Ensure SCSI cable is connected Verify that connectors on motherboard and drive do not have bent pins Possible Cause 2 Power connector is not attached to PlexWriter...

Page 49: ...amaged Check the connector pins to ensure they are not bent Symptoms Cannot eject tray Possible Cause 1 Tray is locked by Plextor Manager software Solution 1 Refer to Plextor Manager manual how to unl...

Page 50: ...disc Possible Cause 3 Bad connection between the PlexWriter drive and the motherboard or between the PlexWriter drive and the SCSI board Solution 3 Inspect the SCSI cable and drive for recessed broke...

Page 51: ...Obtain the latest available SCSI controller driver from the SCSI board s manufacturer or the manufacturer s web site Then install the updated driver in your computer Symptoms Cannot use other CD ROM...

Page 52: ...drive speed If there is no foreign substance on the disc contact the disc manufacturer for a replacement Symptoms Can read only the last session of a multisession CD R or CD RW disc Possible Cause Im...

Page 53: ...drive Possible Cause 1 Improper audio cable connection between PlexWriter drive and sound board Solution 1 Check the cable connection from PlexWriter to sound board Possible Cause 2 Low levels from au...

Page 54: ...hard disk to free up sufficient space or use another hard disk Symptoms CD R or CD RW software cannot detect PlexWriter Possible Cause 1 Power connector is not attached to PlexWriter Solution 1 Ensure...

Page 55: ...hortage of PC memory If there is insufficient main memory in the PC data may be swapped to the hard disk and this can cause a buffer underrun Solution 2 Increase the PC s main memory capacity Possible...

Page 56: ...The disc is written with on a CD R or CD RW drive from another vendor Solution 3 Use a different CD R or CD RW disc Try to use same drive to add more data to CD R or CD RW disc Symptoms Cannot write a...

Page 57: ...fast enough to record at 12X Solution 6 Record an image to the hard disk first then record the image from the hard disk to the PlexWriter Possible Cause 7 Writing many small files causes operating sy...

Page 58: ...hardware conflicts with another board in the system Such hardware conflicts can prevent the SCSI device driver from loading Possible Cause 2 Improper SCSI bus termination Solution 2 Ensure that only...

Page 59: ...This complete shutdown should fully reset the drive and computer 2 If the driver still fails to recognize the SCSI interface board disconnect all SCSI devices from the SCSI controller board and reboot...

Page 60: ...Note that Plextor does not supply or sell this software Symptoms Drive not responding Possible Cause 1 Bad connection between PlexWriter drive and SCSI interface Solution 1 Check the cable to ensure...

Page 61: ...use Create specific format discs Create discs for distribution to others Share non editable presentations Why doesn t CD Copier work Some possible reasons are Some CD ROM drives are not fast enough fo...

Page 62: ...Section 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Recording 58 PlexWriter 12 4 32 Operation Manual This page intentionally left blank...

Page 63: ...D R 8X 4X 2X TDK Taiyo Yuden Mitsui Advanced Media Ricoh Kodak Fuji Photo Film Maxell Pioneer Mitsubishi Chemicals 74 min CD RW 4X 2X Mitsubishi Chemicals Ricoh Maxell and TDK All are rewritable up to...

Page 64: ...pin flat ribbon type External SCSI Drive SCSI bus two 2 50 pin high density SCSI Termination Internal SCSI Drive Jumper switches External SCSI Drive DIP switches Audio Connector Internal Drive Analog...

Page 65: ...61 Dimensions and Weight Dimensions W H D Internal SCSI Drive 5 75 x 1 63 x 7 95 without front panel External SCSI Drive 7 0 x 2 24 x 12 03 Weight Internal SCSI Drive 2 64 lbs External SCSI Drive 6 2...

Page 66: ...Appendix A PlexWriter 12 4 32 Specifications 62 PlexWriter 12 4 32 Operation Manual This page intentionally left blank...

Page 67: ...me to make the right software file available to complete your installation To install software if you purchased a Plextor drive with PCI SCSI Kit 1 Turn on your computer Your system should automatical...

Page 68: ...reboot your computer with the new configuration Troubleshooting Windows 95 98 SCSI Installations If you followed the previous instructions you should be up and running without any problems If things...

Page 69: ...ck on Next 9 Click on Other Locations 10 Use the Browse button and go to the ADAPTEC SCSIDRVR folder of the PlexWriter CD 11 Highlight the driver listed 12 Click on OK 13 When the driver is updated yo...

Page 70: ...he termination on your SCSI interface board should be disabled Review the interface board s documentation to determine how to do this If you have only internal devices or only external devices termina...

Page 71: ...supports If you purchased SCSI interface board from Plextor with your PCI SCSI kit all the drivers are provided for you on the PlexWriter CD If your SCSI interface board is not on NT s list of support...

Page 72: ...ur hardware is operating properly This is best done by using a boot floppy disk with CD ROM support or by simply installing DOS If your system does not work under DOS you probably have a hardware prob...

Page 73: ...quickly in the FAQ area A link to the FAQ area can be found on our home page If you have not been successful in your quest our Technical Support Department will help you solve problems that relate spe...

Page 74: ...acintosh Performa 575 etc The type of VGA Super VGA or other graphics board you use Brand name and model number of any other peripherals you have installed or connected to your computer e g CD ROM sca...

Page 75: ...43 3780 650 843 3799 CD R software www cequadrat com Creative Labs 405 742 6622 405 742 6633 Sound boards www creativelabs com Creative Digital Research 408 244 7007 408 244 7077 Windows UNIX CD R sof...

Page 76: ...Intel http intel com ASUSTeK Computer http www asus com tw GIGA BYTE http www giga byte com ABIT http www abit usa com Aopen http www aopen usa com EPOX http www epox com SOYO Computers http www soyo...

Page 77: ...eshooting 57 CD Res Q 36 ordering 2 CD Audio 41 error messages 46 play skip forward button 6 CD R requirements for 35 CD R media 39 using 57 CD R RW writing to 42 CDR101 message 46 CDR103 message 53 C...

Page 78: ...cable 27 quickstart 11 software 63 Windows NT 67 internal drive audio cable connection 27 installing 22 jumpers 15 mounting 23 rear panel 5 7 SPDIF cable connection 27 invalid device specification 54...

Page 79: ...and 30 SCSI connection sound board and 31 SCSI connectors external drive 8 SCSI drivers installing 63 SCSI ID number changing 12 changing on external drive 19 Drive with PCI SCSI Kit and 13 non SCAM c...

Page 80: ...tting 8 internal drive jumper setting 7 test mode 47 TLA code 22 tray ejecting 6 front door 6 loading and unloading 39 tray does not eject 45 troubleshooting 44 audio problems 48 disc problems 46 gene...

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