Hi!
This is my first post cdfreak post. I just bought a Plextor PX-712A drive, and tried to install it in my Dell Dimension 2400. My PC already had a CDROM drive and the NEC ND-1100A installed (factory configured/shipped). They were both connected using cableselect, the CDROM in the MASTER/DRIVE0 position at the end of the cable and the ND-1100A in the SLAVE/DRIVE1 position in the middle.
The Plextor installation stated that the PX-712A should be MASTER. I tried simply replacing the CDROM at the end of the cable with the PX-712A and jumpering it to CS, but then the BIOS wouldn't see the ND-1100A. I also tried using a non-cableselect cable (came with the Plextor) and manually setting the PX-712A on the end to MASTER, and the ND-1100A in the middle to slave. I still couldn't see the ND-1100A.
I tried both Dell and Plextor tech support, and they were no help whatsoever. The Plextor response was that it really didn't matter - in spite of their installation recommendation and even though they mentioned that you would have decreased speed when burning from disk to disk. I guess they think the buffer underrun will take care of it, and you can't burn max speeds because the media isn't available anyway.
The Dell support was the worst I've ever had, where I had to suggest everything and try to drag info out of them (one of those interactive chat deals). The guy first sent me to a general "How to install devices in you system" URL. They then told me that a BIOS flash would fix this "bug" (my idea), but couldn't show me the bugs fixed by the update. So, I flashed the PC BIOS and BOTH the PX-712A and ND-1100A BIOS' as well - didn't help, same problem. It just seems so weird that the ND-1100A would be a slave to a CDROM drive, but not to the PX-712A no matter how you configure it. The Dell flash instructions for the ND-1100A did mention that the ND-1100 was typically configured as a slave and not master, but that the configuration might have been changed - like maybe because it won't install with another burner unless it is master? Has anyone else had this problem?
Thx!