#CDROM advice sought
10 messages in this thread
Hi,
I know nothing about CDROMs. I just noticed the prices are looking very
reasonable and a lot of the software I use is now coming on CDROM instead of 18
1.44MB diskettes. What should I look for in a CDROM? What brands do you
recommend? What's the best performer for a reasonable price?
Thanks, Valen
Valen — Give us a little more information. What kind of computer do you have?
— What apps do you have in mind? — do you have a sound card? — Stuff like
that. The folks here are a great resource to help you get the best player for
your needs and to help with the problems that may turn up during installation.
Crai
Craig,
Thanks for your reply. I have a Gateway2000 486 DX2/50 circa 5/92 with a
Micronics Rev F Gemini motherboard (not local bus). The hard drive is an IDE.
Programs like Borland's C++ compiler and IDE are now available on CDROM —
normally it's a process of feeding 15 diskettes to install it — I'd like to be
able to install programs like this from the CDROM.
I don't presently have a sound card but I'm planning to get one; probably the
PAS16. How do you use the CDROM with a sound card? To play music CDs?
Thanks, Valen
Hi, Valen.
-> How do you use the CDROM with a sound card? To play music CDs?
I have a PAS 16 that I bought last year; last weekend, I got a Texel 3024
CD-ROM drive to go with it. Playing music CD's is one usage of the
combination; another is using entertainment/educational/game CD-ROM discs that
incorporate sound (for example, Microsoft's Cinemania which has sound clips
from various movies).
The PAS 16 has a standard SCSI port that will support a SCSI CDROM drive; you
might want to keep this in mind as you evaluate different drives. (If you get a
non-SCSI drive, you'll need to install a separate adapter card for the drive.)
HTH,
Evan
Evan,
I've got a question about the CDROM/PAS 16 combination. I think I'd be
interested in being able to do the kinds of things you mentioned in your
message. If I opt for a configuration like yours will I still be able to use
the CDROM drive in the other ways I mentioned — installing programs, accessing
data, etc?
Thanks for your help, Valen
Hi, Valen.
-> If I opt for a configuration like yours will I still be able to use
-> the CDROM drive in the other ways I mentioned — installing programs,
-> accessing data, etc
The answer is Yes! Let me tell you what I did last night, by way of example.
(pardon my new-toy enthusiasm! <g>)
First, I had to update my checking account using Quicken For Windows. I wanted
to listen new a new audio CD while I was doing that, so I popped it into the
caddy, slid it into the drive, and began playing it. Then I started up
Quicken. I made some entries, then began printing my check register. While
the register was printing, I transmitted an electronic payment via CheckFree.
Then I formatted a floppy disk and backed up my Quicken data files. The CD
played perfectly the whole time!! (Through external speakers, I should add,
not the PC speaker.)
Having put the world of high finance behind me, I decided to turn to the world
of the world. I took out the audio CD I was playing, and dropped in Delorme
Mapping's Global Explorer. In a matter of moments I was zipping from Paris to
Australia to London to the Isle Of Man!
The moral of the story is, the CD drive can read audio and data CD's with ease;
all you need is the software apppropriate to what you want to do!
Don't hesitate to ask more questions… this is a great place to get answers!
Happy shopping…
Evan
Valen — Your needs appear to be relatively modest, that is – you want access
to data and large programs. Almost ANY CD-ROM should work well for you. Many
of us here like the Mitsumi since it works well and is less than $200. Be sure
that it – or any drive — will work with your Gateway. As you know, there have
been reports of some difficulties installing some cards and drives in some
models of Gateway computers. Sound cards are mostly useful for games and/or
multimedia software (encyclopedias, etc.) I am not sure that the PAS would be
your best choice — perhaps some others here can give you advice. Some of the
sound cards include a SCSI interface that can work with some CD-ROM's. SBPro
does, but the sound quality isn't all that wonderful. PC Mag had some good
things to say about the newer SB 16 (or some such) — but ask around on CIS (
here and in Gamers, Midi and other fora) for the best advice. You will LOVE
CD-ROMS — 600meg of a program,shareware or whatever can be pretty interesting.
Craig
Craig,
If I get a Mitsumi CD-ROM, does it come with an adaptor card? With respect to
which card and/or CD-ROM to get, I don't want to limit my options too much. If
I could afford it I'd get the Turtle Beach Multisound for the best sound
quality, though I'm more interested in MIDI than in games or multimedia. (I
would like to hear something better than the internal speaker's beep though.)
However, as you stated, at this time I'm mostly interested in access to data
and large programs. Also, if I can use the sound card's interface for the
CD-ROM I'd be saving an expansion slot. I've only got four left.
Thanks, Valen
Download the files CDFAQ.TXT and CDROMF.ZIP. Both of these files will provide
you with some good background information on how it all works.
Albert,
Thanks for the info.
Valen