#laser library info?
11 messages in this thread
David,
The LL is a Sony 535 drive (about average performance: 340ms access time)
in an external case with its own power supply. The specs section in the
manual says "120V, 50/60Hz, .2A", so, even if you get one that doesn't
have a 240V supply, it should be happy with a small stepdown transformer.
The CDs bundled with it are: Compton's Encyclopedia, MS Bookshelf,
Languages of the World (a set of bilingual dictionaries), National
Geographic Mammals, Mixed-up Mother Goose (sort of a graphic adventure game
for kids, I gather: I haven't even fired it up), and the Toolworks US &
World Atlases.
I get the impression that the package may be put together in the U.S., so
distributors in your area may not have it. The model # is CDU-7205.
There are rumors that Sony is going to come out with an upgrade to make it
work with the new MPC multimedia stuff, but I wouldn't count on it. I got
it because it was a good deal for the "reference library" things I use it
for.
One other caveat: the software documentation that comes with it is lousy.
They wrote their own versions of the manuals for the CDs, and didn't
document their driver or the MSCDEX software at all. If the automated
installation works for you (which it should, unless you have a complex
system with lots of TSRs, etc.), fine. If not, they don't tell you how
to fix it.
Ran
Thanks for all the info Ran, I am almost talked into buying it. You
wouldn't happen to have a fax number for Sony in the literature would you?
(not an 800 number – can't use them from here) I have some information
being mailed across but it will take a couple of weeks to get to me. If I
can fax them I could get my order in sooner.
TIA,
Dave
They only have voice numbers in the manuals, Dave, but I just noticed
that the address on the warranty card is right here in San Jose. I'll see
if I can get a local number and ask about faxing them.
Ran
Sony's fax # is 408 943 0740, voice is 408 432 0190. -Dan
Thanks a lot. I just had a go at the local dealer here, but he is
definitely not interested. I finally found an old article about different
CD-ROM players so now I have the specs – all I need is someone to buy it
from! Not many dealers are keen to send all the way to Malaysia.
David:
I recently received some faxed information from Sony Electronic Publishing
Company (the Publisher of the disks in the LL) concerning command line
options for their device driver. The number of their FAX (listed on the
cover sheet) is (408) 375-7130 with a voice line of (408) 372-2812. If
these numbers are not the ones that you need, hopefully they are a step in
the right direction.
Rick
Thanks for the info Rick – I'll fax them tomorrow & see if they can locate
a dealer who is keen to send the unit overseas.
Ran, what version of the LL did you get that provided you with BOTH the
Toolworks (U.S.& World) atlases? Mine just has the World Atlas. Also, I
think the 7205 has an auto-configuring power supply that will handle any
voltage from 100-200 VAC 50-60 Hz as per the 7211 spec sheet, its sibling
external drive version of the 541. Of course, if David truly has 240V
mains, then the step-down transformer will be necessary. That's funny, I
didn't know Malaysia used to be an ex-British colony <Grin> :-}. Keith.
Ran,
As I understand the literature, the LL includes the Sony 7205 drive, not
the 535. I'm not sure what the differences are though.
Ross
Ross,
I think the 7205 may be a 535 in an external case. Or maybe not: I dumped
SONY_CDU.SYS, and discovered the drive name is stored in the driver, so
it might also be a new unit that's software-compatible with the 535.
Ran
Ran, if you use the /V switch on MSCDEX, it will report the firmware ID of
the drive its addressing. It reports the Sony CDU-6201 as the CDU-531 and
the Sony CDU-7205 as the CDU-535. Thus, the 6201/7205 's are just the
531/535 dumped into a case for the external power supply.