Plextor PX-740A Installation And User Manual
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Plextor PX-740A Installation And User Manual

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Model PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive
DVD±R DL (DOUBLE LAYER/DUAL LAYER),
DVD±R/RW, CD-R/RW DRIVE
INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL
MAY 2005

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Summary of Contents for Plextor PX-740A

  • Page 1 Model PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive DVD±R DL (DOUBLE LAYER/DUAL LAYER), DVD±R/RW, CD-R/RW DRIVE INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL MAY 2005...
  • Page 2 Plextor’s prior permission. Manual copyright ©2005 Plextor Corp. 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.
  • Page 3 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-740A Installation and Users Manual...
  • Page 4 Bottom View of Internal Drive, Showing Caution Label Location Detail of PX-740A Laser Caution Labels PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Do You Have Cable Select? ...18 Do You Need a Power Cable?...19 Set the Drive’s Mode Jumper ...19 Changing the Mode Jumper on Your PX-740A Drive ...20 Select an IDE Configuration ...22 About Cable Select...27 Mount the PX-740A Drive ...28 Record the Serial Number ...28...
  • Page 6 Table of Contents 3. Using Your PX-740A ... 35 What Media to Use ... 35 DVD Media... 35 CD-ROM Media ... 36 Tray Loading and Operation ... 37 Handling DVD and CD Media... 37 Cleaning Discs ... 38 Mounting Position... 38 Playing DVDs ...

  • Page 7: Getting Started

    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. What’s In This Manual In this manual you should find all the information you need to successfully install, operate and troubleshoot your drive.

  • Page 8: Meet Your Px-740A

    • Reads CD-RW audio media at up to 40X speed. Features of the PX-740A • ATAPI interface: The PX-740A easily installs in virtually any PC with an E-IDE ATAPI interface. • High speed transfers: The PX-740A supports data transfers via Ultra DMA33, DMA Mode 2, and PIO Mode 4.
  • Page 9 • MMC compliance: Supports the MMC-4 command set. • Flash memory: Allows upgrading the PX-740A to the latest firmware revision (available free 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.
  • Page 10 • CD-TEXT, CD+G: Supports CD-TEXT and CD+G reading. • Overburn: A 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. PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...

  • Page 11: Minimum Configuration To Use The Px-740A

    Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-740A Here’s what you’ll need in order to install and use the PX-740A drive. • Computer: Pentium 4, 1.4-GHz or faster CPU. • Minimum RAM: 256 MB. • Interface: Model PX-740A requires an IDE ATAPI interface.

  • Page 12: About Software

    CD or DVD. One component of Nero is InCD 4, which makes the Plextor PX-740A drive as easy to use as a hard disk drive. (For more information about Nero, install this application and examine the help files.)

  • Page 13: Where To Go From Here

    • 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. Section 1. Getting Started PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...
  • Page 14 Section 1. Getting Started This page intentionally left blank. PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...

  • Page 15: Installing The Px-740A Internal Atapi Drive

    ATAPI drive in your computer. PX-740A 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-740A Internal Drive Figure 1: Front panel of the PX-740A internal ATAPI drive •...

  • Page 16: Rear Panel-Px-740A Internal Drive

    Turn OFF power before using this feature. • Eject button: Push once to eject tray. Push again to insert the tray back into the PX-740A. To prevent wear on the drive, always use the eject button to insert the tray.

  • Page 17: What Else Is In The Px-740A Box

    • IDE cable connector: Connects to your computer’s IDE (ATAPI) interface using 80-conductor Ultra cable. NOTE: Although the PX-740A will operate with a 40-wire IDE cable, it may not be able to write DVDs at 16X unless an 80-conductor IDE/ATA cable is used.

  • Page 18: Save Your Box

    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 65.)

  • Page 19: Px-740A Quickstart Installation

    CD-ROM installed on the secondary IDE port. What to do: Change the CD- ROM to Slave, leave the PX-740A’s jumper set to Master and attach the PX-740A to the secondary IDE port. Windows recognizes the new drive automatically.

  • Page 20: Mount The Px-740A Drive

    The following pages give more details for this procedure. Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation To determine whether your PX-740A will be a Master or a Slave, open your computer and examine the IDE connections to the motherboard. To open the computer: 1.

  • Page 21: Determine Your Existing Ide Configuration

    DVD or CD-ROM drive, or your PX-740A 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.

  • Page 22: Inspect Your Computer's Cables

    NOTE: Although the newer IDE/ATA cable has 80 conductors (wires), its connectors have only 40 pins, so it’s physically interchangeable with the older cable. And in fact, your PX-740A drive may work fine with a 40- conductor cable. But to ensure writing at maximum speed, it’s best to use the newer 80-conductor cable, such as the one provided by Plextor.

  • Page 23: Confirm That You Have An 80-Conductor Ide Cable

    Figure 4: Comparing the older 40-conductor cable (top) to the new 80- conductor type (bottom). Be sure to use the 80-conductor cable. The extra IDE/ATA cable shipped with your PX-740A is the new 80- conductor version. So if you have an older 40-conductor cable, replace it with the 80-conductor cable that came with your Plextor drive.

  • Page 24: Do You Have Cable Select

    Section 2. Installing the PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive Do You Have Cable Select? Many computers from major manufacturers use special Cable Select cables. The Cable Select cable typically has markings that identify the connectors for Master, Slave, and Motherboard. Figure 5: If you have an older 40-conductor Cable Select cable (top), replace it with the new 80-conductor cable (bottom).

  • Page 25: Do You Need A Power Cable

    Your drive ships from our factory with its mode jumper set to operate the PX-740A as a Master. This will work in most custom system configurations. If your computer is from a large OEM system...

  • Page 26: Changing The Mode Jumper On Your Px-740A Drive

    Section 2. Installing the PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive Changing the Mode Jumper on Your PX-740A Drive The drive arrives from the factory with its mode jumper set to Master. (A function is ON if the jumper is installed and OFF if the jumper is removed.)
  • Page 27 Section 2. Installing the PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive For example, to change the drive to be a Slave, move the jumper to the middle set of mode pins, leaving the other pins uncovered. To change the drive for Cable Select, move the jumper to the left set of mode pins.

  • Page 28: Select An Ide Configuration

    Keep these rules in mind: • For best DVD±RW and CD-RW performance, try to connect the PX-740A to the IDE port that is not connected to the hard disk drive or to a DVD or CD-ROM drive. In most cases, this will be the secondary IDE port.
  • Page 29 Depending on how fast the DVD or CD-ROM drive can stream data to the PX-740A, it may not be fast enough to keep the buffer full. In this case, the buffer may become empty and a buffer underrun error may occur.
  • Page 30 ROM drive connected as Slave on the primary IDE port; nothing connected to secondary IDE port. Figure 9. How to install the PX-740A if your computer is originally PX-740A Installation and Users Manual Set the mode jumper to Master, and connect the PX-740A as Master to secondary IDE port.
  • Page 31 IDE port; nothing connected to secondary IDE port. Figure 10. How to install the PX-740A if your computer is originally Section 2. Installing the PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive Set the mode jumper to Master, and connect the PX-740A as Master to secondary IDE port.
  • Page 32 Installation System uses special Cable Select cables; all devices are jumpered for Cable Select. Figure 11: How to install the PX-740A if your computer is originally PX-740A Installation and Users Manual Set the PX-740A’s mode jumper to CSEL, and connect the drive to the end of the cable from the computer’s IDE...

  • Page 33: About Cable Select

    Section 2. Installing the PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive About Cable Select The Cable Select jumper position sets the PX-740A drive to use the CSEL signal from the IDE interface for configuration purposes. This signal automatically selects the correct Master/Slave setting for the drive.

  • Page 34: Mount The Px-740A Drive

    If you don’t have an empty bay, remove the existing IDE DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive and install the PX-740A. You must make a minimum of two cable connections to your PX-740A. The two cable connections that you must make are: •...
  • Page 35 The drive can be mounted directly into your computer. Go to step 6. NOTE: Plextor does not provide rails. If you need rails, you can obtain them from the computer manufacturer or from a computer supply retail or mail-order store.
  • Page 36 Section 2. Installing the PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive 5. If you must use mounting rails, fasten the rails to the lower pair of holes as shown in Figure 14. (In some instances, you may need to fasten the rails to the upper set of holes.) After fastening the rails, check their positioning by sliding the drive into the bay before you mount the drive or connect any cables.
  • Page 37 Figure 15: Connect one end of the IDE cable to the motherboard and the other end to the drive. If your Plextor drive is the only device on the cable, attach it at the end of the cable, leaving the...
  • Page 38 Section 2. Installing the PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive 9. Connect a power cable from the computer to the power connector (DC INPUT) of the drive. In most computers, you will find free power connectors that are ready for your use.
  • Page 39 (This cable is not supplied by Plextor.) 12. Mount the PX-740A drive in the computer using the four screws that were supplied with your drive. Use only these screws. CAUTION: Do not mount your drive in your computer using screws other than those supplied by Plextor.

  • Page 40: Using Sound Boards And Audio Cables

    Section 2. Installing the PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables Whichever category your sound board falls into, you will find that the best source of information about installing the sound board in your computer is the board's manual. Once you have successfully installed the sound board in your computer, you can continue below for a description of the different cable connections that need to be made.

  • Page 41: Px-740A Installation And Users Manual

    3. Using Your PX-740A This section explains how to use your PX-740A drive and how to load, handle and care for your DVDs and CDs. What Media to Use Use the right media! Your PX-740A drive's capabilities change depending on which type of compact disc you use.

  • Page 42: Cd-Rom Media

    Figure 18: The logo also identifies the type of CD-RW media See “Recommended Media” on page 51 for a list of Plextor-approved media at the time this manual was printed, and see the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com for an updated list.

  • Page 43: Tray Loading And Operation

    Sharpie pen, that conforms to the ASTM D-4236 standard. Some permanent markers will damage the media. Also, do not press too hard when writing on the disc. Figure 19: Loading the tray PX-740A Installation and Users Manual Section 3. Using Your PX-740A...

  • Page 44: Cleaning Discs

    HINT: Keep your frequently used discs in jewel cases at all times to prevent them from becoming dirty or damaged. Mounting Position You can operate your PX-740A drive in either a horizontal or a vertical position. PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...

  • Page 45: Playing Dvds

    Ahead Software’s Nero or Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 allows you to write audio, video, data, or other information to writable (CD-R) or rewritable (CD-RW) media. The PX-740A writes to all types of CD- RW media. PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...

  • Page 46: Using The Led Indicator

    Section 3. Using Your PX-740A Using the LED Indicator The color and blink rate of the front-panel LED indicator give you information about the drive’s operation. When you are writing to a CD-R or CD-RW disc, the color and blink...

  • Page 47: Maintenance And Troubleshooting

    Plextor representative. Cleaning the PX-740A Drive Plextor drives are sealed against external contamination, so in a normal computer environment and with normal use, your drive should not require internal cleaning. However, if your drive has been in use for some time and has just recently started to exhibit read/write problems, it is possible that dust has accumulated on the laser lens.

  • Page 48: Upgrading Firmware

    Before troubleshooting a possible problem with your PX- 740A drive please visit our web site at www.plextor.com to check if you have the latest firmware. To obtain new firmware for your drive: 1.

  • Page 49: Emergency Eject

    3. Push the tool or other object straight in, until the disc tray clicks open. 4. Carefully continue to slide the disc tray open. 5. Remove the CD from the disc tray. 6. Carefully push the disc tray shut. Section 4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting Figure 21: Emergency eject PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...

  • Page 50: Troubleshooting

    2. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer and ensure there is an icon for the Plextor drive, the hard disk, and another DVD or CD- ROM drive, if present. The Plextor icon may be D: or E: or another designator.
  • Page 51 Properties. Click on the Hardware tab, then click on the Device Manager button. Click the + sign next to the DVD/CD-ROM drives heading and look for the “PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A” entry underneath. If you do not see this drive listed as one of the devices, or if it has a yellow diamond with an exclamation point (!), contact Plextor Technical Support.
  • Page 52 Section 4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting This page intentionally left blank. PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...

  • Page 53: Frequently Asked Questions

    DVD+RW Alliance) stands for DVD+R Double Layer. DVD-R DL (from the DVD Forum) stands for DVD-R Dual Layer. Whether your DL media is labeled "double layer" or "dual layer," the PX-740A can handle it. PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...
  • Page 54 “recommended media,” and are also assembled into a media catalog and stored in firmware in Plextor drives. (See page 51 for a list of recommended media for the PX-740A at the time this manual was printed, and see the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com for an updated list.) From time to time, the media catalog is updated with new manufacturers and part numbers as Plextor tests additional media.

  • Page 55: Appendix A: Px-740A Specifications

    Appendix A: PX-740A Specifications Minimum System Requirements—PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive Computer Pentium 4, 1.4-GHz or equivalent Minimum RAM 256 MB Hard Disk Size 1 GB of free space to write to a CD in image mode, or 10 GB of free space to create DVD images. (For more accurate guidelines, see the help files or documentation for the recording software you’re...
  • Page 56 CD-R: Orange Book Part II Volume 1, Volume 2 CD-RW: Orange Book Part III Volume 1, Volume 2, Supported CD: 12 cm. Media Size DVD±R/RW: 12 cm, 8cm PX-740A Installation and Users Manual Version 2.1 Version 1.1/1.2 Specification Version 1.3 Version 1.0 Specification Version 1.3;...
  • Page 57 Recommended Media Recommended media are recordable or rewritable CD and DVD media that have been tested by Plextor. For the latest updated list of recommended media for the PX-740A, see the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com. NOTE: For the media below: Rated means the maximum write speed established by the media vendor.
  • Page 58 4X, 8X, 12X writing recommended Taiyo Yuden, TDK, Maxell, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim 4X-rated DVD-R media: 4X writing recommended DVD-R DL Supported by future firmware upgrade. See the media Plextor web site at www.plextor.com for details and up-to-date media list. PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...
  • Page 59 Taiyo Yuden DX 52X-rated CD-R media, 74 min: 16X-40X writing recommended Taiyo Yuden DX 52X-rated CD-R media, 80 min: 12X-48X writing recommended Taiyo Yuden tuned 32X-rated CD-R media, 80 min, 74 min: 16X-32X writing recommended Appendix A: PX-740A Specifications PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...
  • Page 60 16X, 24X, 32X writing supported Performance Specifications Read Speed, Speed 8X CAV 6X CAV 4X CAV NOTES: SL = Single layer disc, DL = Double layer disc. PX-740A Installation and Users Manual Stamped DVD ±R – ±RW ±R – –...
  • Page 61 Stamp,R, Stamp,R, Stamp,R, Stamp,R, –R – – – – – – – – – – – – – – PX-740A Installation and Users Manual CD-DA Discs Stamp,R Stamp,R, Stamp,R, Stamp,R, Stamp,R, Stamp,R, –R –RW – – – – – –...
  • Page 62 Appendix A: PX-740A Specifications Performance Specifications (continued) Write Speed Speed, CD-R/RW 48X CAV 40X CAV PCAV PCAV 16X CLV 12X CLV 10X CLV 4X CLV PX-740A Installation and Users Manual CD-R Ultra Ultra Speed Speed Plus Media Media – – – – –...
  • Page 63 3324 (ZCAV Write (KB/s) 7200 (CAV) 6000 (CAV) 4800 (PCAV) 3600 (ZCAV) 2400 (ZCAV) 1800 (ZCAV) 1500 (ZCAV) 600 (ZCAV) PX-740A Installation and Users Manual Read (KB/s) 22160 (CAV) 16620 (CAV) 11080 (CAV) – 8310 (CAV) 5540 (CAV) – Read (KB/s)
  • Page 64 Read CD/DVD: 6g, 11msec Operating Write CD-R/RW: 2g, 11msec Write DVD-R/RW: 1g, 11msec Shock, Non- 160g/2msec, 80g/180IPS Operating (Power off, without disc) Electrostatic ±8KV aerial discharge Discharge ±4KV contact discharge Both with no hard errors, no damage PX-740A Installation and Users Manual...
  • Page 65 Eject button; manual emergency eject; software eject. LED Indicator Steady green when reading disc Blinking green when writing to disc Disc Loading Auto Rear Panel, PX-740A Internal ATAPI Drive Power Supply Typical standby current Typical DVD read current (at max speed) Typical CD read current...
  • Page 66 Connector with ATA/ATAPI-5. Must use 80-conductor IDE/ATA cable. NOTE: Although the PX-740A will operate with a 40- conductor cable, it may not be able to write at 16X unless an 80-conductor IDE/ATA cable is used. Maximum total cable length cannot exceed 18 in (45.7 cm).
  • Page 67 Ultra DMA Modes 0-2 Transfers ATAPI Refer to the Plextor ATAPI command manual. Command Set Inquiry string PLEXTOR sp DVDR sp sp sp PX-740A sp sp (where “sp” is one space) DVD Regional Setting Compatibility RPC phase-2-compatible Changing Max. 5 times...
  • Page 68 Safety, Laser, and EMC Standards Country/ Type Region Safety Laser Canada Safety Europe Safety Laser Taiwan PX-740A Installation and Users Manual Agency Standard UL 60950-1 CDRH Class 1 FCC Part15B UL (C-UL) CSA 22.2 No. 60950-1 EN60950-1 EN60825-1 EN50022 Class B...

  • Page 69: Appendix B: Technical Support

    If you have not been successful in your quest, our Technical Support Department will help you solve problems that relate specifically to your PX-740A drive. In many cases, a problem that appears to be caused by your Plextor drive actually originates in another part of your computer.

  • Page 70: How To Contact Plextor Technical Support

    Appendix B: Technical Support How to Contact Plextor Technical Support There are several ways for you to contact Plextor’s Technical Support Department: • Visit our web site (www.plextor.com) for answers to Frequently Asked Questions. • Send us e-mail (techsupport@plextor.com). Include your telephone number and the hours during which you can be reached.

  • Page 71: Returns

    Returns In the unlikely event that you need to return a drive to Plextor, you need an RMA (Returned Materials Authorization) number. You will need this number before any Plextor drive can be returned for replacement. Here’s how you get an RMA number and return your drive: 1.

  • Page 72: Shipping Your Drive To Plextor

    Be sure to write the RMA number on the outside of the shipping box. Any drive sent to Plextor without an RMA number will not be accepted. NOTE: The RMA number must be clearly visible on the outside of the shipping box.

  • Page 73: Appendix C: Warranty

    In the event this product is found to be defective within the warranty period, PLEXTOR will, at its option, repair or replace the defective unit.

  • Page 74: If You're Outside The U.s. Or Canada

    All drives returned to PLEXTOR must be securely packaged and shipped postage prepaid. The drive will be returned to the customer at Plextor’s expense when originating within the United States. For a drive originating outside of the United States, the customer is responsible for shipping costs in both directions.

  • Page 75: Index

    · 10, 60 digital · 34, 60 bay cover panel · 29 black tray · 3 blue book · 50 box contents, PX-740A · 11 buffer · 4, 61 Buffer Underrun Proof Technology · 4 cable 40-conductor IDE · 11, 17 80-conductor IDE/ATA ·...
  • Page 76 CD-R · 4 CD-RW · 4 DVD · 3 DVD+R · 47 DVD+RW · 47 computer, minimum, PX-740A · 5, configuration cable select · 27 PX-740A minimum · 5, 49 types of IDE · 16 connection digital audio · 60 sound board and ·...
  • Page 77 16, 17 InCD 4 · 6 initialization time · 57 inquiry string, PX-740A · 61 installation examples · 22 PX-740A · 9, 14, 24, 25, 28 interface ATAPI · 5 interface, PX-740A · 49 jumper mode · 11, 19, 60...
  • Page 78 · 5, 49 minimum RAM · 5, 49 MMC-4 command set · 3 mode jumper · 11, 60 PX-740A Installation and Users Manual changing · 20, 21 setting · 19 motherboard BIOS setup program · mounting position · 28, 38, 58 mounting PX-740A ·...
  • Page 79 CD-RW · 2 digital audio · 55 DVD · 2 DVD-Video · 2 rear-panel connectors PX-740A · 10 recognizing the PX-740A drive in Windows · 44 recommended media · 48 definition · 48 recording modes CD · 4, 49 DVD · 4, 49 red book ·...
  • Page 80 DVD-R · 2 writing DVD-R DL · 2 writing DVD-RW · 2 stereo output signal · 10, 60 support · 63 PX-740A Installation and Users Manual technical support · 63, 64 temperature specification · 58 storage · 58 TLA code · 28 transfer rate CD ·...
  • Page 81 CD-RW · 36 writing to CD-R · 39 writing to CD-RW · 39 writing to DVD+R · 39 writing to DVD+RW · 39 yellow book · 50 zero link · 3 PX-740A Installation and Users Manual Index...
  • Page 82 PLEXTOR CORP. 48383 Fremont Blvd. Suite 120 Fremont CA 94538-6509 www.plextor.com Phone: 510-440-2000 Fax: 510-651-9755 E-mail: info@plextor.com...

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