Plextor PlexWriter PX-230A User manual

ATAPI CD-R/RW DRIVE
INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL
JULY 2005
Model PX-230A

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 ©2005 Plextor Corp.
Second edition, July 2005.
Licenses and Trademarks
Plextor and the Plextor logo are registered trademarks of Plextor Corp; and
PlexWriter is a trademark 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

PX-230A Installation and Users Manual iii
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 CD drive from an electrical current, pull out
the computer’s power plug.

iv PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
Top View of Internal Drive, Showing Caution Label Location
Detail of PX-230A Laser Caution Labels

PX-230A Installation and Users Manual v
Table of Contents
1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1
About this Manual...........................................................................1
Meet Your PlexWriter PX-230A.....................................................1
What the PX-230A Does.............................................................1
Features of the PX-230A.............................................................2
Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-230A ............................3
What You Can Do with the PX-230A.........................................3
About Software ...............................................................................4
Precautions ......................................................................................4
Where to Go From Here..................................................................5
2. Installing the PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive ...........................7
PX-230A Drive Features and Controls............................................7
Front Panel—PX-230A Internal Drive........................................7
Rear Panel—PX-230A Internal Drive.........................................8
What Else Is In the PX-230A Box ..................................................9
Save Your Box!...........................................................................9
Mount the PX-230A Drive ............................................................10
PX-230A QuickStart Installation ..............................................11
Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation ...........................12
Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration................................13
Inspect Your Computer’s Cables...................................................14
Do You Have Cable Select?......................................................15
Do You Need a Power Cable?...................................................16
Set the Drive’s Mode Jumper........................................................16
Changing the Mode Jumper on Your PX-230A Drive ..............17
Select an IDE Configuration .........................................................19
About Cable Select........................................................................24
Mount the PX-230A Drive ............................................................25
Record the Serial Number .........................................................25
Mount the Drive in the Computer .............................................25
Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables ........................................30

Table of Contents
vi PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
3. Using Your PX-230A .................................................................. 33
What Media to Use ....................................................................... 33
Tray Loading and Operation ......................................................... 34
Handling Blank CD Media ....................................................... 35
Cleaning Discs .......................................................................... 35
Mounting Position......................................................................... 36
Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media ........................................... 36
Using the Disc/Busy Indicator ...................................................... 36
4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting............................................ 37
Cleaning the PX-230A Drive........................................................ 37
Upgrading Firmware..................................................................... 38
Emergency Eject ........................................................................... 39
Troubleshooting ............................................................................ 40
Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized.......................................... 40
Further Troubleshooting ........................................................... 41
5. Frequently Asked Questions ...................................................... 43
Appendix A: PX-230A Specifications............................................ 45
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

PX-230A Installation and Users Manual 1
1. Getting Started
Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor®PlexWriter
PX-230A, a reliable, high-performance recordable 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 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.
Meet Your PlexWriter PX-230A
The PlexWriter PX-230A is a CD ReWritable drive that provides
professional quality performance for CD writing, rewriting and reading.
What the PX-230A Does
• Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 52X speed.
• Writes to CD-RW (rewritable CD) media at up to 32X speed.
• Reads all CD-ROM, CD-RW, and CD-R data media at a maximum
of 52X speed.
• Reads CD-DA (audio) and CD-R audio media at up to 52X speed.
• Reads CD-RW audio media at up to 40X speed.

Section 1. Getting Started
2PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
Features of the PX-230A
• ATAPI interface: The PX-230A easily installs in virtually any PC
with an E-IDE ATAPI interface.
• High speed transfers: Supports Ultra DMA Mode 2, Multiword
DMA Mode 2, and PIO Mode 4. (DMA mode switching is handled
by the operating system software.)
• MMC compliance: Supports the MMC-3 command set.
• Flash memory: Allows upgrading the PX-230A 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.
• Plug and Play: Supports Windows Plug and Play.
• Variety of recording modes: Supports track-at-once, disc-at-once,
session-at-once, multi-session, variable and fixed packet writing,
CD-MRW (Mount Rainier), and raw 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.
• High-quality DAE: The PX-230A provides extraordinarily high-
quality digital audio extraction.
• Wide compatibility: Wide CD-R and CD-RW media compatibility.
• Orange Book compatibility: Compatible with Orange Book, Parts II
and III.

Section 1. Getting Started
PX-230A Installation and Users Manual 3
• OPC: Optimum Power Control, which adjusts the laser power for the
optimum write strategy.
• CD-TEXT, Karaoke CD: Supports CD-TEXT and Karaoke CD
(VCD format) writing.
• Small form factor: To maximize space inside your computer, depth
of the PX-230A without its bezel is just 6.8 inches (172.5
millimeters).
Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-230A
Here’s what you’ll need in order to install and use the PX-230A drive.
• Computer: Pentium III, 500-MHz or faster CPU.
• Minimum RAM: 128 MB.
• Interface: Model PX-230A requires an IDE ATAPI interface.
• 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
more accurate guidelines, see the help files or documentation for the
recording software you’re using.)
• Operating System: The PX-230A operates under Windows XP,
2000, Me, 98SE (Second Edition), or 98.
NOTE: Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 software requires Windows
2000/XP.
What You Can Do with the PX-230A
Just look at some of the things you can do with your PX-230A:
• 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 to drag and drop files onto CD-R or CD-RW media,
then continue adding files and sharing the same disc.
• Archive images and video to CD.
• Master new software programs on CD.

Section 1. Getting Started
4PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
About Software
In order to record on CD-R/RW discs you will need to have mastering,
packet writing, or duplication software installed on your computer
system. If you purchased a retail kit from Plextor, you’ll get software
packages that include such software.
For details on other software that is available for writing to CDs, please
visit the web sites of the companies whose software you are interested
in, refer to their user’s manuals, or look at the help option within the
software. A list of various software that you can use with your Plextor
drive can be found in the Support/Compatibility section of
www.plextor.com.
Precautions
Like the rest of your computer system, your PX-230A 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 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.

Section 1. Getting Started
PX-230A Installation and Users Manual 5
• 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 Chapter 2, beginning on page 7, to learn how to install your
drive.

Section 1. Getting Started
6PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
This page intentionally left blank.

PX-230A Installation and Users Manual 7
2. Installing the
PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive
This chapter explains how to physically install your PX-230A internal
ATAPI drive in your computer.
PX-230A 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.
Front Panel—PX-230A Internal Drive
Figure 1: Front panel of the PX-230A internal ATAPI drive
• Disc/busy indicator: Illuminated solid green when ready.
Illuminated blinking green when reading and writing. (Blink rate
indicates the type of activity.)
• Tray front door: Attached to tray drawer.

Section 2. Installing the PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive
8PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
• 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.
• Eject button: Push once to eject tray. Push again to insert the tray
back into the PX-230A. To prevent wear on the drive, always use the
eject button to insert the tray.
Rear Panel—PX-230A Internal Drive
Also familiarize yourself with the drive’s rear panel.
Figure 2: Rear panel of the PX-230A internal ATAPI drive
• Digital audio output connector: Outputs a digital stereo signal. Use
this to connect to a sound board that supports Sony/Philips Digital
Interface (SPDIF) or Digital-In.
• Analog audio output connector: Outputs an analog stereo signal.
Use this to connect to a sound board or audio amplifier. Use a
standard MPC-3 type, 4-pin connector.

Section 2. Installing the PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive
PX-230A Installation and Users Manual 9
• Mode jumper: Use the mode jumper to select operation as an IDE
master or slave, or for cable select. In general, leave this jumper at
its factory setting, which is master; and ensure that any other device
on the bus is jumpered as slave.
• IDE/ATA cable connector: Connects to your computer’s IDE
(ATAPI) interface using a standard 40-conductor IDE cable or an
80-conductor IDE/ATA cable.
• Power connector: Connects to your computer’s power supply to
provide DC +5 volts and +12 volts to the PX-230A.
What Else Is In the PX-230A 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-230A drive in this
configuration:
• PX-230A CD-R/RW drive
• 4 mounting screws
• Extra jumper
• Emergency eject tool
• Quick Installation Guide
• Plextor software disc with bundled software and PDF of PX-230A
Installation and Users Manual
NOTE: The PX-230A retail package does not contain an IDE ribbon
cable. You can connect your Plextor drive to the free connector on any
existing 40-pin or 80-pin ribbon cable in your computer.
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.)

Section 2. Installing the PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive
10 PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
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.
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.
Mount the PX-230A Drive
Installation steps are as follows:
1. Turn OFF your computer system.
2. Set the jumpers for your new PX-230A drive, if necessary.
3. Mount the 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.

Section 2. Installing the PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive
PX-230A Installation and Users Manual 11
PX-230A QuickStart Installation
For Experienced PC Users Only
If you’ve installed computer peripherals before, 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 98, 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP, and you have
nothing installed on the secondary IDE port. What to do: Leave the
PX-230A’s jumper set to Master, attach it to the secondary IDE port,
and go. Windows will recognize the drive automatically.
Typical Scenario 2: You have a PC with an IDE interface installed,
you have Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP, the primary IDE port
already has two devices connected and you have a CD-ROM
installed on the secondary IDE port. What to do: Change the CD-
ROM to Slave, leave the PX-230A’s jumper set to Master and attach
the PX-230A 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.

Section 2. Installing the PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive
12 PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
Open the Computer and Prepare for
Installation
To determine whether your PX-230A 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.
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 Figure 3 for an example.
Figure 3: Removing a typical computer's cover

Section 2. Installing the PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive
PX-230A Installation and Users Manual 13
Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration
With your computer open, determine the existing IDE configuration.
You can do this by looking at the IDE ribbon cable (or cables—there
may be two) and seeing what is connected to them.
One end of the IDE cable connects to the IDE port on your computer’s
motherboard; and there are usually two other connectors for attaching
peripheral devices such as a hard disk, DVD or CD-ROM drive, or your
PX-230A drive. If there are two devices, one is configured as Master
and the other the Slave, as indicated by the position of jumpers on the
back of the drive.
If your computer is set up for Cable Select, or CSEL, both devices will
be jumpered as Cable Select. In older computer, this configuration
required a special Cable Select cable.
If there are two IDE cables, one is for the primary IDE bus and the other
is for the secondary bus.
Before you install your PX-230A, your computer’s IDE configuration is
usually one of the following:
• Configuration A: Hard disks connected as Master and Slave devices
on primary IDE port; DVD or CD-ROM drive connected as the
Master device on secondary IDE port.
• Configuration B: Hard disk connected as Master device and DVD
or CD-ROM drive connected as Slave on the primary IDE port;
nothing connected to secondary IDE port.
• Configuration C: Hard disk connected as Master device on primary
IDE port; nothing connected to secondary IDE port.
• Configuration D: System uses special “Cable Select” cables; all
devices are jumpered for Cable Select.

Section 2. Installing the PX-230A Internal ATAPI Drive
14 PX-230A Installation and Users Manual
Inspect Your Computer’s Cables
You can use either the older 40-conductor IDE cable or the newer 80-
conductor IDE/ATA cable.
NOTE: The PX-230A retail package does not contain an IDE ribbon
cable. You can connect your Plextor drive to the free connector on any
existing 40-pin or 80-pin ribbon cable in your computer. If your
computer’s ribbon cables don’t have a free connector, you will have to
purchase another ribbon cable.
Although the newer cable has 80 conductors (wires), its connectors have
only 40 pins, so it’s physically interchangeable with the older cable. The
80-conductor cable is slightly wider than the older 40-conductor version.
The wires in the 80-conductor version are narrower, too.
CAUTION: The length of any IDE or IDE/ATA cable cannot exceed 18
inches.
Figure 4: You can use either the older 40-conductor cable (top) or the
new 80-conductor type (bottom).