Ref: 23170001
Title: Installing a CD ROM Drive on a PC Workstation
Date:  2/22/91

Copyright 3Com Corporation, 1991.  All rights reserved.

A CD ROM is a Read Only Memory device that was derived from audio compact
disc (CD) technology.  Digital data is represented on the disc by "pits" and
"lands," which look like bumps when magnified.  The current technology
enables each 4.72-inch disc to hold about 680 megabytes of data and
information (equivalent to 300,000 pages of text).

Applications for CD ROMs include the newly released 3Com Laser Library,
which contains 3Com product manuals and EtherLink drivers.

Current storage formats of CD ROM are High Sierra and the ISO9660.  The
formats are similar and any CD ROM drive made today will be able to read
both.


INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

  *  IBM PC/AT compatible, with at least 512 KB memory

  *  MS-DOS version 3.1 or greater

  *  PC/Host adapter (preferably SCSI) compatible with the CD ROM drive.
     (SCSI allows you to daisy-chain drives.)

  *  Microsoft Extensions software.  (Some CD ROM drive manufacturers supply
     it with the drive.  If your drive did not come with MS Extensions, you
     can get the files MSCDEX.EXE and a .SYS file either through your dealer
     or through Microsoft.  Make sure MSCDEX.EXE is version 2.1 or greater.
     The .SYS file will vary, depending on the CD ROM drive you use.)

  *  CD ROM drive

There are many CD ROM drives with different capabilities and access times.
In this article, the popular Toshiba XM3201-A1 will be used as an example.
The Toshiba is a SCSI drive with a 350 millisecond access time, about average
for today's speeds.  It has audio capability and contains a disc caddy for
easy insertion of the disc into the drive.


INSTALLING THE CD ROM DRIVE

To install a CD ROM drive, follow these steps:

1.  Turn off the computer.

2.  Record all settings (jumpers, DIP switches, etc.) that are on the CD
ROM adapter.  Also, record any DIP switch settings on the back of the CD
ROM drive.

Make sure that the settings do not conflict with settings on your other
adapters.  (Refer to your adapter manual for more detailed information.)

3.  Remove the computer case and install the adapter into any available
slot.  (The Toshiba comes with an eight-bit adapter card.)  Close the
computer case.

4.  Connect the power cable to the CD ROM drive.  Connect the interface
cable to the adapter and to the CD ROM drive.

Make sure that the other SCSI interface connector on the back of the drive
is terminated with the terminator supplied.  (It does not matter which
interface is connected or terminated.)  Remember to close the wire clips over
the end of the connectors.

You are now ready to install the software.

5.  Power up the CD ROM drive and the computer, then insert a valid CD ROM
such as the Laser Library into the disc caddy or drive.

If you are using a disc caddy, pop it open by squeezing both sides of the
end latches, insert the CD ROM, and close the caddy.  Insert the caddy into
the drive with the window facing up and the arrow towards the drive.

6.  Install the Microsoft Extensions software, either automatically
or manually.

Automatic Installation:  MS Extensions is included with the Toshiba drive.
To install the software, insert the floppy in drive A.  At the A> prompt,
type SETUP and press Enter.  You will be prompted for setup information.

Manual Installation:  If you do not have an automatic installation floppy,
make sure you have the file MSCDEX.EXE, a file ending in .SYS that is
appropriate for the CD ROM drive you are using, and an MS Extensions manual.
Then follow these steps:

    a.  As the last statement in your CONFIG.SYS file, add a line that
        refers to the .SYS file.  For example,

               device=\drivers\fdcd.sys /d:mscd000 /n:1

    b.  As the last statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, add a line that
        executes MSCDEX.EXE.  For example,

               \drivers\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD000

    c.  Make sure you have a LASTDRIVE= statement in your CONFIG.SYS
        file.  For example, LASTDRIVE=Z.

Refer to the MS Extensions manual and your CD ROM drive manual for detailed
information on available options.

7.  Reboot the computer.

When you have rebooted, Microsoft Extensions will tell you which drive has
been assigned to the CD ROM.  Type DIR on that drive and make sure that the
CD ROM drive's access light comes on and you get the message "0 bytes free"
for that drive.  This will confirm that your CD ROM is correctly connected
and installed.


TROUBLESHOOTING

If you have trouble logging out of the network using LOGOUT.EXE--use the
3+Open LOGOFF.EXE program instead.

If the access light comes on, but the CD cannot be read--you may have a CD
in another format, or it may be inserted upside down.

(For the Toshiba) If the CD will not eject when you press the button--hold
down the button for at least a second, then release it.

Many problems occur when you have incorrect settings on the MSCDEX line in
your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.  Make sure you have defined the correct device name
after the /D option.  Refer to the MS Extensions manual for more information.