Sony CRX230AE User Manual

Please verify that the package includes the following accessories with the drive when
unpacking.
If any of these items appears to be missing or damaged, please contact your supplier.

• CD-RW drive

• 40-pin ATAPI (IDE) flat cable

• Screws (

×4)

• Product Information (this document)
• Software Quick Start Guide
• Quick Start Guide (for ATAPI (EIDE) Interface Drive)
• Front Panel Replacement Guide
• Front Panel Replacement Kit
• Software disc
• Warranty card

To guard against possible loss or damage, be sure to make a backup copy of the provided software disc on a CD-R
disc or other media. The software disc is not sold separately.

Please Record Responsibly
Before copying anything onto a CD-R or CD-RW disc, make sure that you are not violating
copyright laws.  Most software companies allow you to make a backup or archive copy of
software.  Check your software license agreement for details.

This CD-RW drive can be used in systems
with the following capabilities.

❑ CPU: Pentium II 400 MHz or higher is

recommended.

❑ PC/AT-compatible PC

❑ OS:

Windows

®

 98 Second Edition

Windows

®

 2000 Professional

Windows

®

 Millennium Edition

Windows

®

 XP Home Edition

Windows

®

 XP Professional

❑ 64 MB RAM or higher is recommended

❑ At least 1 GB available hard disk space

❑ One available EIDE (ATAPI) interface

connection with DMA capability

❑ One empty 5-inch half-height drive bay

❑ One available internal +12 V/+5 V power

connector

• The above system configuration is given as a

minimum requirement for a system on which basic
CD-RW writing performance can be obtained. In
actual use, the requirements for the writing software
and “Windows” also have to be taken into
consideration. (Normally, these requirements will be
higher than the above specifications.)

• The drive cannot be assured to operate properly if

connected to an ATAPI interface adapter card (we
cannot guarantee compatibility or offer user support).

This product offers the following features.

❑ An internal CD-RW drive with ATAPI

(EIDE) interface for PCs.

❑ Writes up to 52× speed on CD-R disc

media.

❑ Writes up to 32× speed on CD-RW disc

media.

❑ Reads CD-ROM discs at up to 52×

speed.

❑ With the Turbo Boost function, easily

switch from the default 40

× read/write

speed to 52

× speed.*

* For details, see “Turbo Boost Function” below.

❑ Features “Power-Burn conformed”

technology to prevent buffer under-run
errors.

“Power-Burn conformed” is used to refer to a
CD-R/RW that uses CD-R/RW recording
technology (ICs and/or firmware) other than
Power-Burn, but provides performance equivalent
to that of Sony original Power-Burn technology
based on the Power-Burn concept.

• Writing speed may automatically be adjusted

depending on the disc specified speed or disc
conditions such as weight imbalance and eccentricity.

• 1

× and 2× writing speed and discs are not supported.

• During startup, the drive may make a whirring noise

due to balls contained in the ABS (Auto-Balance
System) spindle motor. This is normal and does not
indicate a drive malfunction.

CD-R

CD-RW

CD-ROM

CD-ROM XA

CD-DA

1)

CD Extra (CD+)

Video CD

CD TEXT

Photo CD
Disc diameter 12 cm

  8 cm (for horizontal use only)

1)

This product is designed to playback discs that conform to the Compact
Disc (CD) standard. Recently, various music discs encoded with copyright
protection technologies are marketed by some record companies. Please
be aware that among those discs, there are some that do not conform to the
CD standard and may not be playable by this product.
When you use this unit as an audio CD player, please use compact discs
with the following mark.

Track-at-once

Disc-at-once

Session-at-once

Packet writing

CD-ROM

7.8 MB/s (52

× speed)

2)

Access time
Average random stroke CD-ROM

100 ms

2)

When using the Turbo Boost function.
The maximum data transfer rate depends on the
capabilities of the host PC.

Please note that specifications and
appearance may be subject to change
without notice.

 technology

5 to 40 °C

DC +5 V

1.5 A (max)

DC +12 V

1.5 A (max)

Size
Approx. 145.8 

× 41.3 × 165 mm (W×H×D)

(excluding front bezel)
Weight
Approx. 0.9 kg (drive only)

Drive interface
ATAPI (EIDE)-compliant

SONY CD-RW CRX230EE

1.5 MB

Type
RLD78PZW3
Wavelength
778 ~ 786 nm
Output power
Max 74 mW

The default read/write speed of this drive is
40

× speed. With a single touch, you can

activate the Turbo Boost function, making
the read/write speed 52

× speed.

• On rare occasions, some discs may not be able to

tolerate 52

× speed, causing them to break. We

recommend that you do not use deeply scratched,
brittle, or other discs that may break at 52

× speed.

• The Turbo Boost function does not increase read/write

speed with CD-RW discs.

Insert a disc into the drive.
The speed when you insert a disc is
normally 40

× speed.

Press the Eject button for five
seconds.
The Busy indicator blinks twice and the
speed switches to 52

× speed. (The Turbo

Boost function is active.)

• When you want to write at 52

× speed, insert the disc

into the drive, activate the Turbo Boost function, and
then start writing to the disc.

• When writing with the Turbo Boost function, the Busy

indicator blinks more rapidly than usual.

• When you open the disc tray, the speed reverts to its

default of 40

× speed.

• The Turbo Boost function does not guarantee a 52

×

write speed. Depending on the condition of the disc
you are using, the speed may be lower.

Please consult the above sources before
calling with questions about using this
product, or with technical questions about
the drive or the supplied software. If using
telephone or e-mail support, please have the
following information available:

• Model number: CRX230AE
• Serial number
• Date and place of purchase
• Computer maker and model number
• Computer specifications (CPU speed,

memory size, OS version, etc.)

• Writing software used (version, etc.)

Product purchased in the USA:*
http://sony.storagesupport.com/

* Local Web sites for computer peripheral products

About the Bundled Writing Software
Detailed information about the supplied
writing software is available on the Web
sites of the software manufacturers and
software distributors.  (Accessible from the
links in each software application)