BACKPACK CD-ROM Drive Notes -- Version 2.06  --  March 1996

Note: The two files PRINT.ME and README.TXT are identical.

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Technical Note I - Older Backpack CD-ROM drives

This version is intended for use with current Backpack models. It
will not recognize model 160550 and 162550 Backpack CD-ROM drives.


Technical Note II - Backpack CD-ROM software

  Backpack requires two separate software drivers to run:

     BPCDDRV.SYS
     This file should be loaded in CONFIG.SYS using the command:

       DEVICE=<path>BPCDDRV.SYS /D:BPCDDRV$

     Where <path> is the drive and path name giving the location
     of the file. This will load an approximately 6K software
     program that communicates with the backpack CD-ROM. Up to
     four attached backpack CD-ROMs will be recognized.

     The parameter /D: specifies the device name by which DOS
     will refer to the driver.

     MSCDEX.EXE
     This is the Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions program. It is loaded
     in AUTOEXEC.BAT with the command:

       if exist BPCDDRV$ <path>MSCDEX /D:BPCDDRV$

     An approximately 28K or greater TSR will be installed that
     provides the DOS drive letter for the CD-ROM.

     The statement:  if exist BPCDDRV$     at the beginning of the
     command prevents the command from being executed if the CD-ROM
     is not connected. This is to avoid unnecessary error messages.
     See also the NONSTOP option,  Section 3.2 of the User's Guide.

  The backpack INSTALL program will automatically insert these commands
  in CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT for you.  Otherwise they must be
  inserted manually.

  For more information refer to the MSCDEX entry in the DOS HELP command.


Technical Note III - LOADCD.BAT and TRKPLAY.EXE

  LOADCD

  In the backpack CD-ROM directory you will also find the batch file
  LOADCD.BAT and program DEVICE.COM.

  DEVICE.COM is a command-line loader for Micro Solutions device drivers.
  LOADCD.BAT is a batch file that uses DEVICE.COM to load BPCDDRV.SYS
  and then MSCDEX.EXE.

  LOADCD.BAT may be used to load the Backpack CD-ROM drivers after the
  system has booted up.

  This can be useful if you prefer not to include these drivers in
  CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT.

  To use LOADCD, remove the lines that load BPCDDRV.SYS and MSCDEX.EXE
  from CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT (See Note II above - Backpack CD Software)

  Change to the directory containing your Backpack files (usually BPCDROM)
  and type the command LOADCD.

  NOTE: You may use DEVICE.COM to load other Micro Solutions device drivers,
  but DEVICE will not load these other drivers if DoubleSpace or DriveSpace
  is installed.

  TRKPLAY

  TRKPLAY is a program for playing CD-AUDIO discs from DOS.
  TRKPLAY is in the UTILITY directory of the Backpack distribution disk.
  See the file TRKPLAY.TXT for instructions.

Technical Note IV - Using Backpack with an existing CD-ROM

  If Backpack is used in a system with another CD-ROM drive the
  software installation is different.

  Review the above note, Backpack CD-ROM Software. MSCDEX.EXE may only
  be loaded only once. One copy of MSCDEX can control multiple CD-ROM
  drives.

  The line in AUTOEXEC.BAT that loads MSCDEX must have two /D:
  parameters referring to the two CD-ROM devices. It will then be
  similar to

       MSCDEX /D:CDROMXXX /D:BPCDDRV$ <other parameters>

  where /D:BPCDDRV$ refers to Backpack and /D:CDROMXXX refers to the
  other CD-ROM. See the drives documentation for the actual name
  of your drive.

  The order of the two /D: parameters will determine the order in which
  drive letters are assigned.


Technical Note V - Backpack CD-ROM Audio Outputs

  The earphone output on the front of the drive will accept a stereo jack
  for headphones or small amplified speakers designed to replace headphones.
  It is rated at 0.6Vrms at 32 ohms.

  The headphone output is similar to the headphone output on a personal
  stereo.

  The CD AUDIO LINE OUTPUT at the back of the drive allows connection to the
  left and right stereo inputs of an amplifier or sound card.

  The CD AUDIO LINE OUTPUT is similar to the audio outputs of home stereo
  components.

  Either output will allow you to play sound or music from Audio CD tracks.
  They do not provide the sound from Multimedia CDs, but from music CDs
  such as those you will find in a record store.

  The AUDIO outputs do not replace the functions of a sound card. A sound
  card may be required by many multimedia titles. Consult the documentation
  for the disc you are interested in to see whether a Sound Card is required
  or supported.


Technical Note VI - Backpack CD-ROM's EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) usage.

  This Backpack CD-ROM drive will automatically test and use EPP functions
  if your parallel port is fully EPP compatible.  To determine if "Enhanced"
  mode is being used, run the program:  CDDRIVES /X  <enter>  when the
  Backpack CD-ROM is attached and the driver software is loaded.  The 'Port'
  statistic will indicate "Unidirectional", "BiDirectional" or "Enhanced."


Technical Note VII - Using a Model 160550 or 162550 Backpack CD-ROM with
                     this Backpack CD-ROM unit.

  Version 1.xx software was designed to recognize and control Model
  160550 and 162550 Backpack CD-ROM units.  To use those models of Backpack
  CD-ROM drives on the same computer as this unit, you should install
  the software to a different directory name (such as \BPCD2), change
  the /D: parameter to give the device drivers different names and EDIT
  CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT lines to reflect that change.
  For example, in CONFIG.SYS:

  device=\bpcdrom\bpcddrv.sys /d:bpcddrv$  (for Version 1.xx software)
  device=\bpcd2\bpcd2.sys /d:bpcd2$        (for Version 2.xx software)

  in AUTOEXEC.BAT:

  IF EXIST BPCDDRV$ \BPCDROM\MSCDEX /D:BPCD2$  /D:BPCDDRV$

  To identify the drive letters assigned to your Backpack CD-ROM
  drives use the new CDDRIVES.EXE program that is included on this
  Version 2.xx software diskette.  The use of Version 1.xx
  CDDRIVES will produce unreliable results in this configuration.

  For more about Backpack files see Notes II and IV above.


Technical Note VIII - Backpack CD-ROMs with motorized drawer slide.

  Backpack CD-ROM has a motorized slide drawer for loading and unloading
  discs. This drawer may be operated manually if power is unavailable.
  There are different styles of drawer releases on various Backpack models.

  Some models have a round hole in the front of the drive directly above
  the busy indicator light:

    1) Select a small flat-bladed screwdriver small enough to easily fit
       the hole.

    2) Carefully insert the screwdriver and engage the slotted screw head
       inside. Press and turn the screwdriver counter-clockwise a few turns
       until the drawer begins to slide forward.

    3) Once the drawer is slightly out of the drive it is possible to
       grasp the drawer and slowly pull it the rest of the way out.

  Some models have a small hole next to the eject button:

    1) Straighten about 2 inches of a heavy paper clip.

    2) Carefully insert the straightened paper clip into the eject hole.
       Press firmly until the drawer begins to slide forward.

    3) Once the drawer is slightly out of the drive it is possible to
       grasp the drawer and slowly pull it the rest of the way out.

  Other models have a drawer that can be grasped by hand and pulled out.

  The drawer may be gently pushed closed.



Micro Solutions Technical Support
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DeKalb, IL 60115 USA
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