Page 1
Model PX-S88TU (External) 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...
Page 2
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.
Page 3
• Do not open the optical pickup housing. • Obtain service only from Plextor-authorized personnel. LASER INFORMATION These products have been designed and manufactured according to IEC 825-1 on the Safety of Laser products. This product comes under “Class 1 Laser Products.” A Laser Caution Marking is attached on the top of the internal drive model: “Caution: Invisible laser radiation when open.
Table of Contents 1. Getting Started ... 1 About this Manual... 1 Meet Your PlexWriter 8/8/24U... 1 What the PlexWriter 8/8/24U Does ... 1 Minimum Configuration to Use the PlexWriter 8/8/24U... 2 What You Can Do with the PlexWriter 8/8/24U ... 2 Save Your Box!...
Page 6
Table of Contents 6. Frequently Asked Questions about Writing ... 35 Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications... 37 Appendix B: Technical Support... 41 How to Contact Us ... 41 Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call ... 42 Returns ... 42 Appendix C: Helpful Contacts ... 43 Contacts for CD-R and CD-RW Components...
Please read this manual carefully and keep it handy for easy reference. Use the manual for installation, operation and troubleshooting. See your dealer or call Plextor’s Technical Support Department if your drive needs service. And if you run into a problem that doesn't seem to be covered, please contact us. (See “Appendix B: Technical Support”...
What's in the 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 its PlexWriter 8/8/24U drive in this configuration: •...
Section 1. Getting Started PlexWriter Drive Features and Controls Before proceeding, become familiar with the controls and features of your PlexWriter drive. Match the parts of your drive to the illustrations below. Figure 1: Features and Controls on the PlexWriter 8/8/24U Drive •...
In order to create CD-R and CD-RW discs you will need to have mastering, packet writing, or duplication software installed on your computer system. If you purchased your drive from Plextor, you’ll find two software packages, SimpliCD and Roxio, that contain this software.
Page 12
• Do not clean discs using a circular motion. Instead, use a radial motion: start at the center of the disc and proceed to the outer edge. CAUTION: Install your PlexWriter so it sits horizontally on your desk or shelf. Plextor does not guarantee the drive’s performance in a vertical position.
If you have Windows XP, 2000, or ME, go to step 2 now. If you have Windows 98SE: a) Insert the bundled Plextor Setup Disc in your CD-ROM drive. b) Go to the Software Installation screen, and click on the button titled USB Drivers.
Section 2. Installing Your PlexWriter Connect the PlexWriter Drive Before proceeding to install the PlexWriter drive in your personal computer, record the serial number. Record the Serial Number and TLA Code Record the serial number and TLA number of your drive on the inside front cover of this manual.
PlexWriter USB drive: 1. Turn ON your computer system. 2. Insert the bundled Plextor Setup Disc in your CD-ROM drive, go to the Software Installation screen, and click on the button titled USB Drivers. 3. Follow the prompts through the USB driver installation routine.
In Windows XP or 2000, right-click on the My Computer icon and select Properties. Click on the Hardware tab, then click on the Device Manager button. Click the + sign next to the CD-ROM heading and look at the PLEXTOR CD-R PX-S88TU entry underneath.
Windows XP, 2000, or ME. If you have Windows 98SE, drivers are available on the Plextor Setup CD-ROM disc. If you don’t have this disc, You can go to the Plextor web site and download the USB drivers for Windows 98SE. Go to http://www.plextor.com and follow the links from the home page to Support\Downloads\Drivers\USB Driver for Win98 SE.
Installing applications software lets you take advantage of the PlexWriter’s ability to record on CD-R or CD-RW media. You’ll find these applications in the SimpliCD and Roxio software supplied by Plextor. Applications software lets you use your PlexWriter drive in exciting new ways.
Other Software Besides SimpliCD and Roxio, you can use other software with your PlexWriter. A list of various software packages that you can use with your Plextor drive can be found in the Support/Compatibility section of www.plextor.com. Here you’ll find software that supports the PlexWriter under other operating systems.
Page 20
Section 3. Installing and Using Software This page intentionally left blank. PlexWriter 8/8/24U Installation and Users Manual...
CD-RW writing speed you must use high-speed CD-RW media. See the list of recommended media on page 37 for a list of approved media at the time this manual was printed, and see the Plextor web site at http://www.plextor.com for an updated list.
Section 4. Using Your PlexWriter Tray Loading and Operation To put a disc in the tray: 1. While the PlexWriter drive is powered up, push the eject button on the front panel. The disc tray slides out in a few seconds. 2.
Page 23
Section 4. Using Your PlexWriter Figure 5: Open the Tray Fully; Press On the Disc to Lock It Onto the Spindle 4. Press the tray to close it. NOTE: Always close the tray by pressing the front of the drawer by hand in a smooth and secure manner.
Section 4. Using Your PlexWriter Handling CD Media Take care when handling blank CD-R and CD-RW media. Dust, scratches, and fingerprints on either side of the disc can cause write errors during recording. When picking up or holding blank media you can either place your fingers along the outer edge of the disc, or place one finger through the center hole and one finger on the outer edge.
Playing Audio CDs In order to listen to an audio CD, you can listen through the sound board in your computer, or by connecting headphones to the jack on the PlexWriter. Even if you’re just using headphones, both the AC adapter and the USB cable must be attached in order for the drive to operate.
IMPORTANT: Most CD-ROM drives manufactured since 1997 can read both conventional and the new high-speed CD-RW discs. Drives manufactured before 1997 cannot read CD-RW discs. Plextor CD-ROM drives beginning with the 12/20PleX and newer can read CD-RW discs, including the new, high-speed discs. Advantages of BURN-Proof Technology...
Page 27
Section 4. Using Your PlexWriter The Solution—BURN-Proof: This revolutionary technology compensates for any interruption in data flow to the disc. BURN-Proof technology “remembers” where writing stopped on the disc when the data flow was interrupted, then restarts writing in the same place once the data is available again. The result is that your disc is written successfully.
Page 28
Section 4. Using Your PlexWriter This page intentionally left blank. PlexWriter 8/8/24U Installation and Users Manual...
PlexWriter drive. However, we advise that our customers always update drives with the latest available firmware. Before troubleshooting a possible problem with your drive please make sure to visit our web site at www.plextor.com to check if you have the latest firmware.
1. Terminate any other applications before upgrading firmware. 2. Double-click the executable file (the filename ends in “.EXE”) that you downloaded from Plextor’s web site. This runs the file. 3. Accept all defaults by continuing to click on the “Next” button. While the new firmware is being loaded to the PlexWriter 8/8/24U drive, you can see the front- panel LED indicator is blinking.
Troubleshooting: General Symptom Possible Causes Cannot eject tray. Tray is locked by mastering software. CD was not properly set into tray and is stuck. Troubleshooting: Reading Discs Troubleshooting: Reading Discs Symptom Possible Causes PlexWriter drive Defective CD-ROM, has read errors, CD-R, or CD-RW disc.
Page 32
Section 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting Troubleshooting: Reading Discs Symptom Possible Causes Cannot use other Trying to read a CD- CD-ROM drives RW disc in a CD-ROM to read discs drive that does not written by support it. PlexWriter. UDF reader is not installed on the system to read CD-RW or packet written discs...
Troubleshooting: Writing CD-R and CD-RW Discs Troubleshooting: Writing CD-R and CD-RW Discs Symptom Possible Causes Writing error Network is being used. occurs. Mouse was moved or Windows screensaver activated while writing. Other applications are running. Power save mode is active. Shortage of PC memory.
Page 34
PlexWriter PX-S88TU drive. Supported software lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com. Use CD-R/RW media supported by Plextor. Supported media lists can be found on the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com.
Page 35
PlexWriter PX-S88TU drive. Supported software lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com. Install USB storage device driver from setup CD that is bundled with PlexWriter 8/8/24U.
Page 36
Changed authoring information (add software. writing) on CD- R/RW. Short of CD-R/RW capacity. Using disc written on non-Plextor CD-R or CD-RW drive. Not enough disc capacity. The disc is written with a CD-R or CD-RW drive from another vendor. PlexWriter 8/8/24U Installation and Users Manual...
Page 37
If using other software, ensure that PlexWriter 8/8/24U is supported by the software. Contact the software supplier to confirm. Use the CD-R/RW media recommended by Plextor. Supported media lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com.
Page 38
Section 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting Troubleshooting: Writing CD-R and CD-RW Discs Symptom Possible Causes CD-ROM drive used cannot read data fast enough to record at higher speeds, such as Cannot write at CD-RW media is not 8X (CD-RW). High Speed CD-RW. PlexWriter 8/8/24U drive is connected to a USB 1.1 port.
Troubleshooting: Playing Audio Discs Symptom Possible Causes Disc doesn’t USB cable not attached. rotate; no sound from headphones. When playing Sound board volume an audio CD, too low. you do not Mixer settings for hear sound soundboard set too low even though or muted.
PlexWriter 8/8/24U Installation and Users Manual Solutions You will need to purchase additional software. Supported software lists can also be found on the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com. Ensure the USB cable is securely connected between the computer and the PlexWriter, and that the...
Plextor web site at www.plextor.com. NOTE: The current recommended media lists are matched to the current firmware revision of the drive. So it’s best to keep your Plextor drive’s firmware up to date. When can I use CD-RW media? CD-RW media can only be used for writing in ReWritable drives.
Page 42
Section 6. Frequently Asked Questions about Recording Why doesn’t CD Copier work? Some possible reasons are: Some CD-ROM drives are not fast enough for direct copying to the PlexWriter. They cannot stream data fast enough to record at the PlexWriter’s maximum speed or are not capable of digital audio extraction at high speed.
Minimum 800 MB. 1 GB of free space required to write to a CD in Image mode Operating system Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows XP, or Windows 2000. (USB storage driver from Plextor CD must be installed to enable operation on Windows 98 SE.) USB port Version 2.0 or 1.1...
Page 44
Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications Performance Specifications Sustained Read 24X CAV: 1.62 – 3.6 MB/s, +/- 5% Mode-1: Stamp/CD-R (When connected to USB 2.0 host) 18X CAV: 1.2 - 2.7 MB/s, +/- 5% Mode-1, XA Mode-2, CD-DA: Stamp/CD-R (When connected to USB 2.0 host) 10X CAV: 672 KB/sec - 1.5 MB/s, +/- 5% Mode-1: Stamp/CD-R XA Mode-2, CD-DA: Stamp/CD-R/CD-RW...
Page 45
Performance Specifications (continued) Disc Ejection Time Less than 1 sec Data Buffer 2 MB Spindle Motor Brushless Error Rate Mode 1: 1 Block/10 Mode 2: 1 Block/10 Front Panel Eject Eject Button; Manual Emergency Eject; Software Eject Indicator LED Orange: Playing disc Slow blinking orange: Playing CD-DA Rapid blinking orange: Writing to disc Blinks when power applied...
Page 46
Appendix A: PlexWriter Specifications Environmental Conditions Operating Temperature 0 to 40 degrees Celsius Performance Guarantee 5 to 40 degrees Celsius Temperature Operating Humidity 20% to 80% (non-condensing) Storage Temperature –40 to +60 degrees Celsius Storage Humidity 20% to 95% (non-condensing) Dimensions and Weight Dimensions (W/H/D) 141 mm x 22 mm x 171 mm...
• Visit our web site (www.plextor.com) for answers to Frequently Asked Questions. • Send us e-mail at support@plextor.com, or send a fax to the attention of the Technical Support Department at 303-708-0709. Include your telephone number and the hours during which you can be reached. Be as detailed as possible in describing your problem.
Returns You must receive an RMA (Returned Materials Authorization) number before any Plextor drive can be returned for repair or replacement. Any drive sent to Plextor without an RMA number will not be accepted. You can contact our RMA Department and request an RMA number and RMA forms at rmasupport@plextor.com, or by fax at or 303-708-0709.
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. This warranty is void: a) if the unit is operated or stored under abnormal use and maintenance conditions;...
Page 52
Appendix D: Warranty This page intentionally left blank. PlexWriter 8/8/24U Installation and Users Manual...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the PX-S88TU and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers