KenWood 72x TrueX CD-ROM
2. Installation
Package :
The retail version that came at our offices contained the drive itself,
a quick installation guide, an audio cable, four screws and an IDE cable. Below
there is a picture of the KenWood 72x TrueX CD-Rom:
Specifications |
KenWood 72x TrueX (internal) |
Disc Readable |
- CD-ROM Mode 1 and Mode 2 |
Interface |
EIDE/ATAPI |
Performance |
|
Data Transfer Rate |
|
Burst |
- 16.6 MB/sec. (PIO Mode 4 and |
Read |
6,750 to 10,800 KB/sec |
Access Time |
Less than 100ms (typical) |
Data Buffer |
2,048KB |
Front Panel |
|
Eject |
Auto eject; Emergency eject |
Disc Loading |
Tray, auto load/auto eject |
Headphone Jack |
Stereo mini Jack |
Dimensions and Weight |
|
Dimensions(WxHxD) |
14.9 x 4.3 x 20cm (5.9 x 1.7 x 7.9in) |
Weight |
2.05lbs (.93kg) |
Reliability |
|
MTBF |
50,000POH at 25% duty cycle |
Warranty |
1 year |
Installation:
Installing the KenWood 72x TrueX CD-Rom was an easy process. KenWood suggests
putting the drive as Master in any IDE channel, so we installed it as Master
into the Second IDE channel. After booting, the CD-Rom identified itself as
KenWood UCR-421 into both the BIOS & Windows 98 SE. Afterwards, we unchecked
the auto-insert notification.
KenWood 72x TrueX CD-Rom was a January 2000 model with v2.08 firmware revision. Our lookout at the KenWood's US website revealed a new firmware revision (v2.17), which we immediately downloaded and updated the drive with it. This version added support for UDMA and improved readability with CDRW discs. If you plan to update your KenWood drive under NT, avoid it, since many users reported problems after trying it. Instead go on if you run Win9x. After we updated the firmware and enabled the UDMA setting in Win98SE, all was set for the benchmark party to begin! We also had the change to get a second KenWood 72x TrueX CD-Rom unit for double checking benchmark results... ;)
Test Machine #1:
ABIT BH6
Celeron 300A over clocked to 464 MHz
164 MB SDRAM PC 100
WD 18GB UDMA 66
Quantum Fireball EX 6.4 GB UDMA
DAWI 2975 - PCI (ULTRA) SCSI Host Adapter
Asus 3400 TNT
MS Windows 98SE
KenWood 72x firmware v2.17
Plextor UltraPlex 40max firmware v1.03
Teac 540E firmware v3.0A
Sanyo CRD-Bp2 firmware v2.17
Sanyo CRD-Bp900 firmware v3.20
Test Machine #2:
Celeron 433 with 440LX motherboard
64MB ram
Quantum Fireball 6,5 GB HD
MS Windows 98SE
PleXWriter PX-W8220 firmware v1.04
Plextor UltraPlex 40xmax firmware v1.1
Kenwood TrueX 72x firmware v2.12G
Alfreey 50x firmware v4.1