Welcome! Thank you for buying the ASUS CRW-3212A Drive! To ensure proper installation and use of this device, read the instructions and other important information contained in this manual. Product Introduction Specifications The CRW-3212A has the following specifications. · Speeds 32X, 24X, 16X, 12X, 8X, 4X writes 12X, 10X, 8X, 4X, 2X rewrites 16X~40X reads Interface ATAPI specification Technology support FlextraSpeedTM Technology FlextraLinkTM Technology Double Dynamic Suspension System II (DDSS II) Zone CLV Recording Technology Data buffer size 2MB Application discs 12cm or 8cm diameter, 1.2mm thick CD-Audio, CD-ROM, CD-ROM/XA, CD-I, Mixed Mode CD-ROM, Photo CD, CD-Extra, Video CD, CD-Text, DVCD, CD-G, Karaoke CD, I-trax, Bootable CD Recording form Orange Book Part 2, 3 Disc-at-once, Track-at-once Session-at-once, Packet write, Overburn, DAO-RAW mode OS compatibility MS-Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP/NT SCO Unix, Linux, Netware, OS/2 Warp Power supply DC 5 x (1 +/- 5%)V DC 12 x (1 +/- 10%)V Dimensions 41.5 (h) x 149.0 (w) x 197.5 (d) mm Mass 997 g NOTE: Refer to the section "Technical Information" on page 26 for detailed specifications. · · · · · · · · · ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual 9 Features The ASUS CRW-3212A is a CD-RW drive with 32X-write, 12X-rewrite, and 40X-read capabilities. The drive complies with the AT Attachment Packet Interface (ATAPI) specification and comes equipped with the latest innovative technologies in CD recording. Highlighting the major characteristic of ASUS CD-RW drives, the CRW-3212A strategically identifies the media quality at the beginning of the recording so that it can apply the appropriate writing speeds and ensure effective data storage. Thanks to the FlextraSpeedTM and FlextraLinkTM technologies developed by ASUS. FlextraSpeedTM increases accuracy and reliability when rewriting across a broad base of certified media, while FlextraLinkTM prevents buffer underrrun problems to eliminate the creation of unusable discs. The following sub-sections describe these technologies in detail. FlextraSpeedTM Technology The ASUS FlextraSpeedTM technology provides the optimum solution to ensure quality recording when using discs that require flexible speeds. The CRW-3212A drive employs this technology that allows automatic recording speed adjustment based on the recording media. In addition to the fact that there are low and high quality recording media, various other factors such as dye layer, temperature, humidity, dust, fingerprints, etc., affect the recording characteristics of CD-R and CD-RW discs. Due to these factors, some discs may not be able to stand the highspeed capabilities of the latest CD-RW drives. The FlextraSpeedTM technology solves this problem by automatic assessment of the disc quality and recording capability. The recording speed is based on these factors. If you use a high quality recording disc, you can maximize the recording capability of the drive and get the best quality output. If you use a low quality disc, the drive speed adjusts to the level that is most appropriate for the disc, still optimizing the disc recording capability. The FlextraSpeedTM technology also helps maintain the CD-RW drive because of the controlled motor rotation speeds and reduced noise caused by spindle air, thus prolonging the drive motor's life and ensuring high-quality recording. 10 ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual FlextraLinkTM Technology The ASUS FlextraLinkTM technology provides a seamless combination of flexibility and ultra-reliable recording quality. FlextraLinkTM incorporates a flexible strategy that prevents buffer underrun problems caused by an empty data buffer. This CD-RW drive technology allows continuous monitoring of the data buffer status during the write process. Once the available data drops to approximately 1% of the total buffer capacity, the drive stops recording and marks the last write position. When new data is received from the host, it is loaded to the data buffer, and the laser is repositioned to link the new data with the data already written. FlextraLinkTM uses minimal system resources so that your PC remains fully operational throughout the writing process, and available for other applications. The diagram below shows the advantage of the FlextraLinkTM recording technology. FlextraLinkTM Technology Solution Data Data Data transfer slows down Buffer Memory Buffer Memory Empty Conventional Recording Write Data Data transfer slower than write process Data Write process continues Bad disc results Write Data Buffer Memory Data Data transfer slows down Buffer Memory Data Data transfer continues and fills buffer with sufficient data for writing Buffer Memory Recording with FlextraLinkTM Technology Write Data Write Data Write process stops; waits until there is enough data for writing Write process continues until writing is complete ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual 11 Double Dynamic Suspension System (DDSS II) The DDSS II is an enhanced follow up to the DDSS anti-vibration system developed by ASUS. The DDSS CD-ROM technology is designed to reduce the vibration generated from spindle rotation of over 8900 rpm of 40X CD-ROM drives. The DDSS II improves this feature by handling up to over 10,000 rpm of the new 50X drives. In addition, the DDSS II stabilizes the pick-up head of the drive in both horizontal and vertical directions, making tracking and focusing even more precise. Like the DDSS, the DDSS II vibration absoption structure contains a "dynamic mass" that can absorb the vibration caused by high revolution of spindle motor. However, the DDSS II moves the dynamic mass to be suspended to the chassis, thus providing more stability and accuracy when accessing data from the disc. The following diagram illustrates the DDSS/DDSS II design structure. DDSS / DDSS II Design Structure 12 ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual Zone CLV Recording Technology The Zone Constant Linear Velocity (CLV) recording method allows you to achieve a higher recording speed by using a different speed for each of the four zones partitioned from the inner to the outer area in a disc. When using the Zone CLV, the recording in Zone 1 is 16X speed, then increases to 20X speed in Zone 2, after t1 time. In Zone 3, the recording reaches 24X speed, after t2 time. The recording speed reaches the maximum 32X in Zone 4, after t3. Zone CLV Recording Method Speed 32x Zone4 24x Zone3 20x Zone2 16x Zone1 t1 t2 t3 Time ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual 13 Front Panel ¤ 32x12x40x High Speed Recordable Rewritable W R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1. Headphone jack This jack allows you to connect a headphone with a stereo mini-plug. 2. Headphone volume dial This volume dial allows you to control the volume of the headphone connected to the drive. Turning the dial to the left decreases the volume, turning to the right increases volume. 3. Disc tray This tray holds the disc. 4. WRITE indicator (Red LED) This LED flashes while data is being written on the disc. 5. READ indicator (Green LED) This LED turns ON when you place a disc on the drive tray, and stays ON until you remove the disc. The LED flashes while data is being read from the disc. 6. Emergency eject pinhole In cases when you cannot eject a disc from the drive using the eject button due to power failure or software problems, insert a pin or a paper clip into this hole to manually eject the tray and the disc. 7. PLAY/SKIP button This button has two functions. If the drive is idle, pressing this button will start playing an audio disc (if one is currenly loaded in the drive) from the first track. While in the PLAY mode, pressing this button lets you skip to the next track on the disc. 8. STOP/EJECT button This button has two functions. Pressing this button at any time ejects the disc tray so you can place or remove a disc. While in PLAY mode, pressing this button stops playing the disc loaded in the drive. 14 ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual Rear Panel 1 2 3 4 5 1. Digital audio connector This connector is for a digital signal output cable. 2. Analog audio connector This connector is for an analog signal output cable. 3. Jumper terminals These pins allow you to select either Master, Slave, or Cable Select mode for the CD-ROM device. 4. IDE connector This connector is for a 40-pin IDE cable to connect the drive to the IDE interface on the motherboard. 5. Power connector This DC connector is for a 4-pin power cable from the system power supply. NOTE: The jumper pins on the leftmost part of the rear panel are factory test pins. DO NOT cover these pins with jumper blocks. ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual 15 Installation System Requirements Before installing and using the CD-RW drive, make sure that your computer system meets the following requirements. · · · · · IBM-compatible Pentium 166MHz or higher PC Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP/NT 4.0, Linux, or OS/2 Warp operating system At least 64MB system memory (128MB is recommended) An empty 5.25-inch external drive bay HDD empty storage capacity of 100MB or more Average seek time: 20ms or less Transmission rate: 2 MB/s or more NOTE: Do not use a hard disk that calibrates thermally during operation. · Recommended media: CD-R Sony, TDK, Ricoh, Kodak, Mitsubishi Chemical, Taiyo Yuden, Yamaha, Philips, Ritek, Prodisc, AMT, Princo, Hitachi Maxwell, CMC CD-RW Sony, TDK, Ricoh, Yamaha, Mitsubishi Chemical, Ritek, Prodisc, AMT, CMC 16 ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual Setting the Jumper Terminals Configure the the jumpers to set the device to master or slave mode before physically installing it to your computer chassis. Use jumper blocks to short the pins to your desired setting. CAUTION: Make sure to correctly place the jumper blocks over the pins. Failure to do so may cause irreparable damage to the drive! Jumper Terminals Master Mode Cover the two pins labeled MASTER to set the CD-RW drive as a secondary master drive. This is possible only if your computer supports four IDE devices. The hard disk in the computer is set as Primary Master. Slave Mode Cover the two pins labeled SLAVE to set the CD-RW drive as a slave device if your computer supports only two IDE devices. If your computer supports four IDE devices, this setting sets your CD-RW drive either as a Primary Slave or a Secondary Slave. Cable Select Mode Cover the two pins labeled CABLE SELECT if your computer supports a Cable Select (CSEL) signal. You need an exclusive interface cable for this setting. Refer to your computer manual for details. ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual 17 Installing the CD-RW Drive Follow these steps to install the drive into the computer chassis. NOTE: Refer to your computer manual for specific instructions on opening the chassis and installing drives. 1. Remove the cover of an empty 5.25-inch external drive bay. 2. Carefully insert the CD-RW drive into the bay and push it inward until it is flushed to the chassis front panel. The holes on the sides of the drive should align with the holes on the drive bay. 18 ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual 3. Secure the drive with screws that came with the drive package. Use two screws on each side of the drive. IMPORTANT: Depending on the space on your chassis, you may need to connect the drive cables before securing the drive into the chassis. For cable connections, proceed to the following section, "Connecting the Drive Cables." ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual 19 Connecting the Drive Cables 1. Connect the power cable plug to the power connector on the rear panel. 2. Connect the 40-pin IDE cable plug to the IDE connector, matching the red pin stripe on the cable with Pin 1 on the connector. 3. If your computer has a sound card or an onboard audio feature, connect an audio interface cable to the 4-pin analog audio connector on the rear of the drive. Connect the other end of the audio cable to the connector on the sound card or on the 4-pin CD connector on the motherboard. CAUTION! All the cable plugs are slotted so that they fit in only one orientation. If a plug does not fit in completely, try reversing it. DO NOT use too much force when fitting the cable plugs. Power Cable 4-pin Audio Cable IDE Cable NOTE: Replace the computer cover according to your computer manual. 20 ASUS CRW-3212A User's Manual Installing the Device Driver Before you can use your CRW-3212A drive, you must first install the device driver. IMPORTANT! Make sure you that you have completed the drive installation and have replaced the computer cover before you proceed. Follow these steps to install the device driver. 1. Turn on the computer. 2. Your operating system (OS) detects the new hardware (CD-RW drive) that you installed and automatically looks for the appropriate driver. 3. Follow the screen instructions to install the driver. Installing the CD-RW Software The ASUS CRW-3212A drive supports the following software applications. By AHEAD software gmbh · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Nero Burning ROM In ...