|
     
| |
? CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc-Read Only Memory. It is derived from the
popular Compact Disc format, which is best known for storing digitally-recorded
sound.
☞ Also, compact discs are capable of storing up to 680 Megabytes of computer
readable information equal to over 250,000 pages of text.
☞ CD-ROMs can be written to only once, but can be read from many times.
☛ This is a disadvantage when compared to other optical storage media, however,
the fact that new data can not be added to a standard CD-ROM makes them a better
media for distributing large amounts of unchanged information.
☛ Because of their low per unit cost, they can be pressed in a large volume.
This makes them one of the most cost effective storage mediums available.
☞ Software and book publishers have found CD-ROM's to be perfect for
distributing large amounts of data such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, games,
collections of public domain software and clip-art. The use of CD-ROM's has
recently been expanded to include application software, documentation,
periodicals, training and support materials, entertainment, and digital
photographs.
☞ CD-ROM's can now be recorded by anyone using relatively inexpensive CD
Recorders. This recent breakthrough in technology also allows you to produce
high quality music CD's in much the same way the pros do it.
☞ CD-ROM drives can differentiate the difference between audio information and
other data. They can play music through headphones or an amplifier and pass
other data on to the computer for processing.
General CD-ROM Description (FRONT)
☞ The Disk Tray opens and closes for disc loading and removal.
☞ The Headphone Jack is used for attaching headphones or speakers.
☞ The Busy Indicator Light operates while data is being read.
☞ The Headphone Volume Control adjusts headphone sound level.
☞ The Emergency Eject Hole is used to eject the CD tray manually.
☞ The Open/Close button opens or closes the disc tray.
☞ The Audio Play/Skip Track Control Button plays and skips one information track
of an audio CD.
General CD-ROM Description (BACK)
☞ The Power Supply Connector connects the CD-ROM drive to the computer's power
supply.
☞ The Interface Connector connects the CD-ROM drive to the 40-pin interface
cable.
☞ The Device Configuration Jumper configures the drive as a Master or Slave
device (outlined in section 2.1)
☞ The Audio Line Out Connector has two channels, left and right audio outputs.
☞ The Digital Audio Output offers high quality Audio effects by outputting
digital signal to D/A converter. (This option is not included on all CD-ROM's.
Individual Unit may vary)
☞ The Testing Jumper is reserved for manufacturer internal testing purposes.
(This option is not included on all CD-ROM's.)
Configuring Your CD-ROM
Device Configuration Jumper
☞ You will see three pairs of pins and a jumper at the back of the CD-ROM drive.
This jumper is used to set the CD-ROM Drive as a Master or Slave device in your
PC. Examples of how the jumper can be placed are described below:
☞ When using a primary IDE controller:
☛ Most PC's provide one IDE cable to support two devices (one for hard disk, the
other for a second hard disk or a CD-ROM drive). This IDE cable originates
either on the motherboard (in most Pentium based systems) or on a controller
card. This controller is termed the primary IDE controller, and the hard disk
attached that contains the operating system for boot-up is set up as the Primary
Master. Your CD-ROM drive should be set to the Slave Mode.
When using a secondary IDE controller
☞ If your PC has an additional IDE controller on the motherboard or on a system
slot, each IDE device you connect to the secondary IDE controller must also be
set as a Master or Slave device. If you are connecting your CD-ROM drive to a
secondary IDE card, and it is the 1st device you are connecting to it, set it to
the Master mode. If it is the 2nd device, set the CD-ROM drive to the Slave
mode.
Identifying an Enhanced IDE (E-IDE) card.
☞ An enhanced IDE controller card can support up to 4 IDE devices. You should
find that there are two ports (connectors) in the E-IDE card. Each port can hook
up with a data cable which, in turn, can connect two drives.
☞ Pentium systems with built in primary controllers usually have a second port
beneath them directly on the motherboard.
[back to top]
|
