Model PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive Model PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive DVD±R/RW, CD-R/RW DRIVE INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL APRIL 2004 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 ©2004 Plextor Corp. First edition, April 2004. Licenses and Trademarks Plextor and the Plextor logo are registered 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 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION STATEMENT 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. 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. 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 laser beam emitted from the optical pickup is visible and invisible. Accordingly: · Do not open the optical pickup housing. · Obtain service only from Plextor-authorized personnel. CAUTION: To disconnect the internal DVD/CD drive from an electrical current, pull out the computer's power plug. Top View of Internal Drive, Showing Caution Label Location Detail of PX-712A Laser Caution Labels Detail of PX-712SA Laser Caution Labels This page intentionally left blank. Table of Contents 1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1 About this Manual ...........................................................................1 Meet Your PX-712 ..........................................................................2 What the PX-712 Does................................................................2 Features of the PX-712 ................................................................3 Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-712 ...............................6 What You Can Do with the PX-712 ............................................6 About Software................................................................................7 Precautions ......................................................................................7 Where to Go From Here ..................................................................8 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive ...........................9 PX-712A Drive Features and Controls............................................9 Front Panel--PX-712A Internal Drive........................................9 Rear Panel--PX-712A Internal Drive .......................................10 What Else Is In the PX-712A Box.................................................11 Save Your Box! .........................................................................12 Mount the PX-712A Drive ............................................................12 PX-712A QuickStart Installation...............................................13 Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation ...........................13 Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration................................14 Set the Drive's Mode Jumper ........................................................15 Changing the Mode Jumper on Your PX-712A Drive ..............16 Select an IDE Configuration..........................................................18 About Cable Select ........................................................................23 Identifying Whether Your System Uses Cable Select ...............24 Locating the Master Position on a Cable Select Cable ..............24 Set the DMA Jumper .....................................................................24 Mount the PX-712A Drive ............................................................26 Record the Serial Number .........................................................26 Mount the Drive in the Computer..............................................26 Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables.........................................32 3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive.........................35 PX-712SA Drive Features and Controls........................................35 Front Panel--PX-712SA Internal Drive....................................35 Rear Panel--PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive .........................36 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual vii Table of Contents What Else Is In the PX-712SA Box .............................................. 37 Save Your Box!......................................................................... 37 Mount the PX-712SA Drive.......................................................... 38 Record the Serial Number ......................................................... 38 Mount the Drive in the Computer ............................................. 38 4. Using Your PX-712 ..................................................................... 43 What Media to Use........................................................................ 43 DVD Media............................................................................... 43 CD-ROM Media ....................................................................... 43 Tray Loading and Operation ......................................................... 45 Handling DVD and CD Media.................................................. 45 Cleaning Discs .......................................................................... 46 Mounting Position......................................................................... 46 Playing DVDs ............................................................................... 47 Writing to DVD Media ................................................................. 47 Specifying +R/RW or -R/RW ................................................... 47 Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media ........................................... 47 Using the LED Indicator ............................................................... 48 Switching to SpeedRead for Video Playback................................ 49 5. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional ....................... 51 Loading PlexTools Professional Software .................................... 51 Using Silent Mode ........................................................................ 52 Turning On Silent Mode ........................................................... 52 Important Facts about Silent Mode ........................................... 54 Using SecuRec .............................................................................. 55 Password-Protecting a Disc with SecuRec................................ 55 Reading a Password-Protected Disc.......................................... 57 Important Facts about SecuRec................................................. 57 Using VariRec............................................................................... 58 How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined ...................... 58 Changing the VariRec Setting................................................... 59 Important Facts about VariRec ................................................. 61 Using GigaRec .............................................................................. 61 Burning a Disc with GigaRec.................................................... 62 How GigaRec Works ................................................................ 63 Important Facts about GigaRec................................................. 63 Testing Your CDs and DVDs........................................................ 64 Measuring Read Transfer Rate.................................................. 64 viii PX-712 Installation and Users Manual Table of Contents Measuring Write Transfer Rate .................................................67 Measuring Q-Check C1/C2/CU Errors......................................69 Measuring Tracking and Focus Error ........................................73 Making Q-Check Jitter/Beta Measurements..............................77 Measuring Q-Check PI/PO Errors.............................................81 Advantages of Buffer Underrun Proof Technology ......................83 6. Maintenance and Troubleshooting ............................................85 Cleaning the PX-712 Drive ...........................................................85 Upgrading Firmware .....................................................................86 Emergency Eject............................................................................87 Troubleshooting.............................................................................87 Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized ..........................................87 Using the PX-712A Self-Test Diagnostics ................................89 7. Frequently Asked Questions.......................................................93 Appendix A: PX-712 Specifications ...............................................95 Specifications for All PX-712 Drives............................................95 Specifications for the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive...............104 Specifications for the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive..............107 Appendix B: Technical Support...................................................109 How to Contact Plextor Technical Support .................................110 Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call for Support .....................110 Returns ........................................................................................111 Contacting Plextor's RMA Department ..................................111 Packing Your Drive.................................................................112 Shipping Your Drive to Plextor...............................................112 Appendix C: Warranty .................................................................113 If You're Outside the U.S. or Canada..........................................114 Index ...............................................................................................115 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual ix Table of Contents This page intentionally left blank. x PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 1. Getting Started Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor® PX-712, a reliable, high-performance recordable DVD and CD writer, rewriter, and player. We appreciate the confidence you have shown in us. Our goal is to put you--and keep you--on the leading edge of DVD and 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. PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 1 Section 1. Getting Started Meet Your PX-712 The PX-712 is a DVD ReWritable/CD ReWritable drive that provides professional quality DVD and CD performance for writing, ...