User manual PLEXTOR PX-755

Model PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive DVD±R DL (DOUBLE LAYER/DUAL LAYER), DVD±R/RW, CD-R/RW DRIVE INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL MARCH 2006 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 ©2006, Plextor Corp. First edition, March 2006 Licenses and Trademarks Plextor, PlexTools, 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. PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual iii Top View of Internal Drive, Showing Caution Label Location Detail of PX-755SA Laser Caution Labels iv PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual Table of Contents 1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1 About this Manual...........................................................................1 Printing the Manual .....................................................................1 Meet Your PX-755SA .....................................................................2 What the PX-755SA Does...........................................................2 Features of the PX-755SA...........................................................3 Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-755SA ..........................6 What You Can Do with the PX-755SA.......................................7 About Plextools Professional ..........................................................7 Precautions ......................................................................................8 Where to Go From Here..................................................................8 2. Installing the PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive...........................9 PX-755SA Drive Features and Controls .........................................9 Front Panel--PX-755SA Internal Drive....................................10 Rear Panel--PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive .........................11 What Else Is In the PX-755SA Box ..............................................12 Save Your Box!.........................................................................12 Set the PX-755SA DMA Jumper (If Needed) ...............................13 Mount the PX-755SA Drive..........................................................14 Record the Serial Number .........................................................14 Mount the Drive in the Computer .............................................14 3. Using Your PX-755SA.................................................................19 What Media to Use........................................................................19 DVD Media ...............................................................................19 CD-ROM Media........................................................................20 Tray Loading and Operation .........................................................21 Handling DVD and CD Media ..................................................21 Cleaning Discs...........................................................................22 Mounting Position .........................................................................23 Playing DVDs ...............................................................................23 Writing to DVD Media..................................................................23 Specifying +R/RW or -R/RW ...................................................23 Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media............................................24 Using the LED Indicator ...............................................................24 Switching to SpeedRead for Video Playback................................25 PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual v Table of Contents 4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting............................................ 27 Cleaning the PX-755SA Drive...................................................... 27 Upgrading Firmware..................................................................... 28 Emergency Eject ........................................................................... 29 Changing the Front-Panel Color ................................................... 30 Troubleshooting ............................................................................ 34 Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized.......................................... 34 Using the PX-755SA Self-Test Diagnostics ............................. 36 5. Frequently Asked Questions ...................................................... 39 Appendix A: PX-755SA Specifications.......................................... 43 Appendix B: Technical Support .................................................... 55 How to Contact Plextor Technical Support................................... 56 Before You E-mail or Call for Support......................................... 56 Returns .......................................................................................... 57 Contacting Plextor's RMA Department.................................... 57 Packing Your Drive .................................................................. 57 Shipping Your Drive to Plextor ................................................ 58 Appendix C: Warranty................................................................... 59 If You're Outside the U.S. or Canada ........................................... 60 Index................................................................................................. 61 Notes................................................................................................. 67 vi PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 1. Getting Started Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor® PX-755SA, 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. Printing the Manual This manual has been sized for viewing on a computer monitor screen. To print a hard copy of this manual: 1. In Acrobat, select File | Print. You see the Print dialog box. 2. In the Print dialog box, choose the printer. 3. If you want to print on standard 8-1/2 x 11 paper, you can check the Expand small pages to paper size box. This expands the manual's pages so they nearly fill up a standard-sized page. 4. When you have made your selections, click OK. The manual is printed. PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 1 Section 1: Getting Started Meet Your PX-755SA The PX-755SA is a DVD ReWritable/CD ReWritable drive that provides professional quality DVD and CD performance for writing, rewriting and reading. What the PX-755SA Does For DVDs, the PX-755SA: · Writes DVD+R (recordable DVD, "plus" format) media at up to 16X speed. · Writes DVD+R DL (double layer) media at up to 10X speed. · Writes DVD-R (recordable DVD, "dash" format) media at up to 16X speed. · Writes DVD-R DL (dual layer) media at up to 6X speed. · Writes DVD+RW (rewritable DVD, "plus" format) media at up to 8X speed. (Requires 8X media for 8X writing.) · Writes DVD-RW (rewritable DVD, "dash" format) media at up to 6X speed. · Supports DVD+VR and DVD-VR format for read and write. · Reads stamped DVD discs at up to 16X. · Reads DVD-Video discs with CSS at up to 2X CLV. · Supports DVD-RW DRT-DM (Distributed Real Time Defect Management) · Supports DVD+RW background format For CDs, the PX-755SA: · Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 48X speed. · Writes to CD-RW (rewritable CD) media at up to 24X speed. · Reads all CD-ROM and CD-R data media at a maximum of 48X speed. · Reads CD-DA (audio), CD-RW data media, and CD-R audio media at up to 40X speed. · Reads CD-RW audio media at up to 32X speed. 2 PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual Section 1: Getting Started Features of the PX-755SA · Serial ATA interface: The PX-755SA takes advantage of the benefits of the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment interface, with its smaller, more flexible cables and faster interface speed. · High speed transfers: The PX-755SA supports next-generation high speed transfers via the Serial ATA 1.0 interface. · AUTOSTRATEGY®: Writing technology for unknown media. When a writable disc isn't listed in the drive's internal media catalog, AUTOSTRATEGY automatically checks the disc and develops a write strategy for it. · PoweRec for CD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+R DL, and DVD-R DL media: Plextor Optimized Writing Error Reduction Control (PoweRec) adjusts laser power and writing speed so they're at the optimum settings for that particular disc. · Replaceable front panel: For mounting in any PC, you can change the front-panel bezel and tray door from beige to black in a few moments. · VariRec: Lets you change the write strategy to record at highest quality on different types of discs. Also provides 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. · Silent Mode: Unique technology that sets the drive for super-silent operation. By controlling access speed, read/write speed, and tray opening and closing speed, you reduce drive noise to a whisper. · MMC compliance: Supports the MMC-4 command set. · Flash memory: Allows upgrading the PX-755SA to the latest firmware revision (available from the Plextor web site) without opening the computer or physically accessing the drive. · Black tray: Reduces the effect of optical distortion by absorbing reflections from the laser beam, enhancing read quality. PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 3 Section 1: Getting Started · Plug and Play: Supports Windows Plug and Play. · CPRM support: The PX-755SA supports Content Protection for Recordable Media, so you can play CPRM copy-controlled media. · Self-test diagnostics: The PX-755SA has a self-test diagnostic function for easy troubleshooting. · PlexEraser: This data destruction utility makes a recorded disc (CD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R) unreadable by overwriting the disc's leadin and user data sectors. · Q-Check tests: The Plextor PX-755SA achieves high-quality recording on virtually any DVD or CD media. To see for yourself, use the Q-Check features to check laser operation or measure and display characteristics of the media you're using. · Q-Check TA (Time Analyzer): The PX-755SA supports time interval analysis that shows a histogram of a disc's lands and pits, a valuable aid in assessing disc quality. DVD Features · Lossless linking for DVD+R/RW and DVD+R DL: Allows DVD+RW discs to be edited and still play on DVD-ROM players. · Zero Link for DVD-R/RW, DVD-R DL: Has 0 byte gap between sessions so the discs are compatible with all players. This allows DVD-RW discs to be edited and still play on DVD-ROM players. · Double layer and dual layer DVD discs: Reads and writes DVD+R DL (double layer) and DVD-R DL (dual layer) discs, so you can burn up to 4 hours of high quality MPEG-2/DVD video on a single 8.5-gigabyte DVD disc. · Wide DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW media compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of DVD±R and DVD±RW media. 4 PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual Section 1: Getting Started · Multiple DVD types: Supports DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, multiborder, multi-session, DVD±VR, DRT-DM, for read and write. · Versatile recording modes for DVD+R/RW: Including disc-at-once (DAO), multi-session, and incremental write for DVD+R DL (double layer) discs; DAO, multi-session, and incremental write for DVD+R; and random access write and sequential write for DVD+RW. · Recording versatility for DVD-R/RW, too: Including sequential write for DVD-R DL (dual-layer); DAO, incremental recording, multiborder recording for DVD-R; and DAO, multi-border recording, incremental recording, restricted overwriting, and DRT-DM for DVD-RW. · SpeedRead: For DVD-Video discs equipped with CSS copy protection, you can enable fast playback (SpeedRead) or leave at the factory default for quiet video playback. CD-R and CD-RW Features · Variety of recording modes: Supports track-at-once, disc-at-once, session-at-once, multi-session, and variable and fixed packet writing. · Buffer Underrun 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. · Wide compatibility: Wide CD-R and CD-RW media compatibility. · Orange Book compatibility: Compatible with Orange Book, Parts II and III. · OPC and ROPC: Optimum Power Control and Running Optimum Power Control, which adjust the laser power for the optimum write strategy. · CD-TEXT, CD+G: Supports CD-TEXT and CD+G writing. PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 5 Section 1: Getting Started · GigaRec: Variable capacity recording that lets you change CD-R disc capacity over a range from 60 percent to 130 percent of the rated value. You can get much more data onto a CD. Or decrease disc capacity while gaining improved audio quality. · SecureRecording: Security protection that lets you make your CDs readable only by persons with the correct password. · Overburn: Another way of burning more information onto a CD-- audio up to 99 minutes 59 seconds in length, or a data disc up to 875 megabytes in capacity. Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-755SA Here's what you'll need in order to install and use the PX-755SA drive. · Computer: Pentium 4, 1.4-GHz or faster CPU. · Minimum RAM: 256 MB. · Interface: Model PX-755SA requires a Serial ATA 1.0 interface that supports the ATAPI command set. · Hard disk size: To write to a CD in image mode (that is, to write an image of a CD to your hard disk), you need 1 GB of free space. For a DVD, 10 GB of free space is recommended. (For more accurate guidelines, see the help files or documentation for the recording software you're using.) · Operating System: Model PX-755SA requires Windows XP, Windows XP 64-bit, or Windows 2000. 6 PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual Section 1: Getting Started What You Can Do with the PX-755SA Just look at some of the things you can do with your PX-755SA: · Record slide shows or digital video onto DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs. · Play DVD-ROM, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, and DVD-RW discs. · 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 or DVD "sneakernet" to share information with colleagues--just use software to drag and drop files onto DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R or CD-RW media, then continue adding files and sharing the same disc. · Archive images and video to DVD or CD. · Master new software programs on DVD or CD. About Plextools Professional PlexTools® Professional is a powerful application software package that lets you take full advantage of the CD/DVD functions of the PX-755SA drive. When installed on your computer, this software lets you use your Plextor PX-755SA to burn CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD discs. It also lets you take advantage of all the special features found in the Plextor PX755SA drive, including Q-Check tests, Secure Recording, GigaRec, and more. For PlexTools Professional details and downloads, see http://www.plextools.com/. PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 7 Section 1: Getting Started Precautions Like the rest of your computer system, your PX-755SA 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 move, carry or transport a disc in the drive because this can cause damage. · 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 experienced service personnel only. · Keep your DVDs and 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. · Do not attempt to clean your drive using solvent-based cleaners or an air compressor. · Do not attempt to clean your drive using a CD cleaning disc. These discs can damage your drive permanently. Where to Go From Here See Section 2, beginning on page 9, to learn how to install your drive. 8 PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 2. Installing the PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive This section explains how to physically install your PX-755SA internal Serial ATA drive in your computer. The steps are as follows: 1. Turn OFF your computer system. 2. Mount the drive into an available drive bay inside the computer system. 3. Make the cabling connections: Serial ATA cable and power cable. 4. Turn your computer system ON. The following pages give more details for this procedure. NOTE: Your computer's SATA connection must support the ATAPI command set. Some computer motherboards have SATA RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Discs) chipsets that do not support the ATAPI command set used by optical disc drives, or that do not have BIOS settings to enable IDE/ATAPI functions. If you are unsure, consult your motherboard manual or vendor web site for compatibility, BIOS versions, and BIOS settings. And check the Plextor PX-755SA motherboard compatibility listing at http://www.plextor.com/english/support/support_compatability.html PX-755SA Drive Features and Controls Before proceeding, become familiar with the controls and features of your Plextor drive. Match the parts of your drive to the illustrations below. PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 9 Section 2. Installing the PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive Front Panel--PX-755SA Internal Drive Figure 1: Front panel of the PX-755SA internal SATA drive · LED indicator: Illuminated yellow for disc initializing, reading, and ejecting. Illuminated amber for writing. (Blink rate indicates writing speed.) Illuminated green during standby and when Buffer Underrun Proof Technology is operational. Illuminated yellow, green and amber when AUTOSTRATEGY is operational. · Emergency eject hole: 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. · Tray front door: Attached to tray drawer. · Eject button: Push once to eject tray. Push again to insert the tray back into the PX-755SA. To prevent wear on the drive, always use the eject button to insert the tray. 10 PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual Section 2. Installing the PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive Rear Panel--PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive Also familiarize yourself with the drive's rear panel. Figure 2: Rear panel of the PX-755SA internal SATA drive · SATA cable connector: Connects to your computer's SATA interface using a 7-pin SATA interface cable. · Power connector: Connects to your computer's 15-pin SATA power cable to provide DC +5 volts and +12 volts to the PX-755SA. NOTE: If your computer has only 4-pin power connectors, use the SATA power cable adapter to connect to the 15-pin power connector on the PX-755SA. · Self-test/DMA jumper: Leave this jumper off for normal operation. When the jumper is installed, the PX-755SA drive runs in PIO/multiword DMA mode. When the jumper is installed and you hold down the eject button during computer startup, the drive's self-test diagnostic routine is initiated. PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 11 Section 2. Installing the PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive What Else Is In the PX-755SA 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 the PX-755SA drive in this configuration: · PX-755SA DVD±R DL, DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW drive · Replacement front bezel (beige) and disc tray front panel · 7-pin SATA interface cable · 4-pin-to-15-pin SATA power cable adapter · 1 piece of approved DVD+R media · 4 mounting screws · Spare jumper · Emergency eject tool · Plextor software disc with bundled PlexTools® Professional. Also contains Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 Basic DVD Edition and a PDF of the PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual. · PX-755SA Quick Installation Guide Save Your Box! Be sure to save the box after you have installed your drive. The box and its packaging material were designed and drop tested to ensure your drive 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 page 57.) 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. 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. 12 PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual Section 2. Installing the PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive If your drive came pre-installed, some or all of the items above may have been installed and may not be separately available. See the Plextor web site for locations to purchase additional or replacement accessories. Set the PX-755SA DMA Jumper (If Needed) Your PX-755SA ships from the factory with no DMA jumper installed. (The pins are empty.) The empty pins mean the drive is set to Ultra DMA. This setting should work in most cases, so you don't have to do anything more. With some personal computers that do not have an embedded non-RAID Serial ATA chipset, the computer may "hang" or crash with the PX755SA installed. If this happens, change the PX-755SA to multiword DMA mode by installing the spare jumper across the two DMA jumper pins. Figure 3: Add the PX-755SA DMA jumper if you need to change from Ultra DMA (default) to multiword DMA Adding the jumper also configures the PX-755SA for self-test. See "Using the PX-755SA Self-Test Diagnostics" on page 36 for more details. PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual 13 Section 2. Installing the PX-755SA Internal SATA Drive Mount the PX-755SA Drive Before proceeding to install the PX-755SA drive in your personal computer, make sure you have all the cables you'll need. Record the Serial Number Note the serial number and TLA number of your drive, and record those numbers. Mount the Drive in the Computer You can mount your internal drive in any available bay. You must remove the small panel that covers the bay that you want to use. NOTE: The drive can be mounted horizontally or vertically If you don't have an empty bay, remove the existing DVD-ROM or CDROM drive and install the PX-755SA. You must make two cable connections to your PX-755SA. The two cable connections that you must make are: · SATA cable · Power cable To mount the PX-755SA drive: 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 the illustration below for an example. 14 PX-755SA Installation and Users Manual