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CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and CD-RW Drives: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H-Series/J-Series User's Guide

	Using the CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drives
	Caring for CDs,DVDs, and CD-RW Discs
	Types of Supported Discs

Using the Drives

The DVD-ROM and CD-ROM drives are read-only devices that let you play most commercially available 8- or 12-centimeter (cm) sound and video CDs on the computer. In addition to playing most CDs, the DVD-ROM drive can also play DVDs. CD-rewritable (CD-RW) drives can write to and play CD-RWs and can play CDs. Dell installed the appropriate CD-ROM drive device drivers on your hard-disk drive.

Use the DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, or CD-RW drive in the computer’s modular bay or the modular bay in a C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicator (APR) or a C/Dock Family Expansion Station. None of these drives can be used externally without an APR or an Expansion Station. You must turn the computer off before installing the drive in the modular bay. For detailed instructions on installing devices in the modular bay, see "Using the Modular Bay."

Figure 1. DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, or CD-RW  Drive Installed in Computer

To play a CD, press the eject button on the face of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive or press <Fn><F10>. When the tray slides out, place the CD into the tray label side up. Make sure that the CD is seated correctly on the spindle by pressing down on the disc until it clicks in place. Then gently push in the tray.

To play a DVD, press the eject button on the face of the DVD-ROM drive or press <Fn><F10>. When the tray slides out, place the DVD into the tray label side up. Make sure that the DVD is seated correctly on the spindle by pressing down on the disc until it clicks in place. Then gently push in the tray.

When the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is in use, the drive access indicator blinks on the computer’s front panel.

If you are using the Microsoft® Windows® 95 or Windows 98 operating system, disable the autoplay feature while you use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. (The autoplay feature can interfere with the computer’s power management functions.) If Dell installed the operating system, the autoplay feature has been disabled. If you reinstall the operating system or if you installed it yourself, be sure to disable the autoplay feature if you want to use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

For instructions on changing the Auto Insert Notification option, see the operating system user’s guide.

Caring for CD, DVD, CD-RW Discs

When handling and using the discs, follow these precautions:

• Never use a damaged or warped disc.
  
  
• Always hold the disc by its edges. Do not touch the surface of the disc.
  
  
• Use a clean, dry cloth to remove dust, smudges, or fingerprints from the surface of the disc. When cleaning, wipe from the center of the disc to the edge.
  
  
• Never use solvents, such as benzene, record cleaners, or antistatic sprays, to clean the disc.
  
  
• Do not write on the surface of the disc.
  
  
• Store disc in its containers, placing them in a cool, dry place. Extreme temperatures may damage discs.
  
  
• Do not bend or drop a disc.
  
  
• Do not place objects on top of a disc.

Types of Supported Discs

Your computer's CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and CD-RW drives are able to play the following types of disc formats:

• CD-ROM red-book audio discs (CD-DA)
  
  
• CD-ROM yellow-book mode-1 and mode-2 data discs
  
  
• CD-ROM XA (mode-2 form 1 and form 2; without Adaptive Differential Pulse Code modulation [ADPCM])
  
  
• CD-I (mode-2 form 1 and form 2)
  
  
• CD-I Ready
  
  
• CD-Bridge
  
  
• Photo CD, CD-recordable (CD-R) (single and multisession)
  
  
• Video CD
  
  
• CD-rewritable (CD-RW) (the 24x CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives can read, but not write to, CD-RW discs; only the CD-RWs can write to this type of disc)
• DVD-5 (the DVD-ROM drive supports the DVD-5 format)

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