Plextor PX-820 User manual

DVD±R DL (DOUBLE LAYER/DUAL LAYER),
DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, CD-R/RW DRIVE
INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL
February 2008
PX-820
Model PX-820A Internal ATAPI Drive
Model PX-820SA Internal SATA Drive

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
LLC 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 ©2008 Plextor LLC.
Second edition, February 2008.
Licenses and Trademarks
Plextor and the Plextor logo are registered trademarks of Plextor LLC All other
licenses and trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Record Your Serial Number
For future reference, record the serial number in the space provided
below.

PX-820 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 DVD/CD drive from an electrical current,
pull out the computer’s power plug.

iv PX-820 Installation and Users Manual
Top View of Internal Drive, Showing Caution Label Location
Detail of PX-820A/SA Laser Caution Labels

PX-820 Installation and Users Manual v
Table of Contents
1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1
About this Manual...........................................................................1
Meet Your PX-820..........................................................................2
What the PX-820 Does................................................................2
Features of the PX-820................................................................3
Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-820...............................5
What You Can Do with the PX-820............................................6
About Software ...............................................................................6
Precautions......................................................................................7
Where to Go From Here..................................................................8
2. Installing the PX-820A Internal ATAPI Drive...........................9
PX-820A Drive Features and Controls............................................9
Front Panel—PX-820A Internal Drive........................................9
Rear Panel—PX-820A Internal Drive.......................................10
What Else Is In the PX-820A Box ................................................11
Save Your Box!.........................................................................11
PX-820A QuickStart Installation ..............................................12
Install the Bezel.............................................................................13
Mount the PX-820A Drive............................................................13
Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation...........................13
Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration................................14
Inspect Your Computer’s Cables...................................................15
Confirm That You Have an 80-Conductor IDE Cable..............16
Do You Have Cable Select?......................................................17
Do You Need a Power Cable?...................................................18
Set the Drive’s Mode Jumper........................................................18
Changing the Mode Jumper on Your PX-820A Drive..............19
Select an IDE Configuration .........................................................21
About Cable Select........................................................................26
Mount the PX-820A Drive............................................................27
Record the Serial Number.........................................................27
Mount the Drive in the Computer .............................................27
3. Installing the PX-820SA Internal SATA Drive.........................33
PX-820SA Drive Features and Controls .......................................34
Front Panel—PX-820SA Internal Drive....................................34

Table of Contents
vi PX-820 Installation and Users Manual
Rear Panel—PX-820SA Internal SATA Drive.........................35
What Else Is In the PX-820SA Box..............................................36
Save Your Box!.........................................................................36
Mount the PX-820SA Drive ......................................................... 37
Record the Serial Number......................................................... 37
Mount the Drive in the Computer............................................. 37
4. Using Your PX-820.....................................................................43
What Media to Use .......................................................................43
DVD Media...............................................................................43
DVD-RAM Media.................................................................... 44
CD-ROM Media ....................................................................... 44
More About Media for Your PX-820........................................ 45
Tray Loading and Operation......................................................... 45
Handling DVD and CD Media.................................................. 46
Cleaning Discs..........................................................................46
Mounting Position......................................................................... 47
Playing DVDs............................................................................... 47
Writing to DVD Media................................................................. 48
Specifying +R/RW or -R/RW...................................................48
Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media ...........................................48
Using the Disc/Busy Indicator...................................................... 49
5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting............................................51
Cleaning the PX-820 Drive........................................................... 51
Upgrading Firmware..................................................................... 52
Emergency Eject........................................................................... 53
Changing the Front-Panel Color...................................................54
Troubleshooting............................................................................58
Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized..........................................58
6. Frequently Asked Questions......................................................61
Appendix A: PX-820 Specifications...............................................63
Specifications for All PX-820 Drives...........................................63
Specifications for the PX-820A Internal ATAPI Drive................72
Specifications for the PX-820SA Internal SATA Drive...............75
Appendix B: Technical Support ....................................................77
How to Contact Plextor Technical Support...................................78
Before You E-mail or Call for Support.........................................78
Returns..........................................................................................79
Contacting Plextor’s RMA Department.................................... 79

Table of Contents
PX-820 Installation and Users Manual vii
Packing Your Drive...................................................................79
Shipping Your Drive to Plextor.................................................80
Appendix C: Warranty...................................................................81
If You’re Outside the U.S. or Canada ...........................................82
Index.................................................................................................83

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PX-820 Installation and Users Manual 1
1. Getting Started
Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor® PX-820, 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.

Section 1. Getting Started
2PX-820 Installation and Users Manual
Meet Your PX-820
The PX-820 is a DVD ReWritable/CD ReWritable drive that provides
professional quality DVD and CD performance for writing, rewriting
and reading.
What the PX-820 Does
For DVDs, the PX-820:
•Writes DVD+R (recordable DVD, “plus” format) media at
up to 20X speed on recommended media.
•Writes DVD+R DL (double layer) media at up to 8X speed.
•Writes DVD-R DL (dual layer) media at up to 12X speed.
•Writes DVD-R (recordable DVD, “dash” format) media at
up to 20X speed on recommended media.
•Writes DVD+RW (rewritable DVD, “plus” format) media
at up to 8X speed.
•Writes DVD-RW (rewritable DVD, “dash” format) media
at up to 6X speed.
•Writes DVD-RAM discs at up to 12X.
•Supports DVD+VR and DVD-VR format for read and write.
•Supports DVD+VR and DVD-VR format with CPRM for read only.
•Reads stamped DVD discs at up to 16X.
•Reads DVD-RAM discs at up to 12X.
For CDs, the PX-820:
•Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 48X speed.
•Writes to CD-RW (rewritable CD) media at up to 32X speed.
•Reads all CD-ROM and CD-R data media at a maximum of 48X
speed.
•Reads CD-DA (audio) and CD-R/RW audio media at up to 40X
speed.