Running a CD-ROM Drive via the Parallel Port

General

Known Types

(1x) - 160550
(2x) - 162550 - about 1994
(2x) - 163550, 163700 (2x)
(4x) - 164550, 164700 (4x)
(6x) - 165550, 165700 (6x) - about 1996
(8x) - 166550, 166700 (8x)
(32x) - 167550, 167700 (32x) - about 1998

I own the following Backpack drives:

162550 (2x) - Mitsumi CRMC-FX001D
165550 (6x) - Goldstar GCD-R560B
165700 (6x) - Goldstar GCD-R560B -- sound card
167550 (32x) - TEAC CD-532E

It is of course possible that other CD drives (brands) were also used, especially in the later models. Only the first two models (160550, 162550) probably only used the Mitsumi drives FX001 and FX001D.

Playing AUDIO CDs

It is important to note that ALL Backpack CD-ROM models are capable of playing CD-AUDIO, or "music CD’s" This type of audio is also known as "Red Book CD-Audio." Playback of this type of audio is a function of the drive mechanism used inside of Backpack CD-ROM. All DOS, Windows, Win95, WinNT and OS/2 "CD Audio" player programs can access the music tracks on a music CD in Backpack CD- ROM. No special sound board is required, although speakers or headphones should be connected to Backpack.
Document # 2205: Sound Compatibility of Backpack CD-ROM’s Built-in 16-bit Sound Board

Playing Multimedia Sound

To play multimedia sound (Win3.x, Win95/98/NT), you need a special stereo sound add-on card (Part #826) for the Backpack CD-ROM drives. This sound option is already included in the 16x700 models. You can not „upgrade“ the models 160550 and 162550.

Read the documents #2204 and #2205, see below.

Model 162550

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Version 1.xx software was designed to recognize and control model 160550 and 162550 Backpack CD-ROM units. Do not use version 2.xx software!

MicroSolutions Backpack CD-ROM Drive — MicroSolutions Backpack CD-ROM drive 162550, (2x)

This version still has the old metal case with the black bar and the writing.

Model 165550

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Version 2.0x software was designed to recognize and control model 163550, 164550 and 165550 Backpack CD-ROM units.

In the picture above you can see a Backpack CD-ROM drive from Micro Solutions (here the model 165550, 6x). With the appropriate DOS driver you can easily operate this CR-ROM drive via the parallel port. This works for me with my IBM PC, XT und 286 compatible AT and MS/PC-DOS. No problems!

This model has the advantage that it can play audio CDs without software. Just press the PLAY button and off you go.

I bought this CD-ROM drive in the USA and run it with a 120 V AC power supply and a voltage converter (220/240 V). Works fine.

According to minuszerodegrees it should also be possible to use the Backpack CD-ROM drive with a DC power supply. Also have a look at: archive.org.

I use the 162550 Backpack CD-ROM drive with a DC power supply with 12V and 1A. It works fine.

When using the CD-ROM media, note that the "new standard" CD-R of 700 MB (80 min) may cause problems with the older drives 160550, 162550 and 165550. With some older 700s I had reading problems. Could be, but doesn't have to be. Just try it out. The drive 167550 should be able to handle the new CD-ROM standard of 700 MB without any problems.

For sizes beyond the original 650 MB/74 min, playback problems may occur in some CD drives, as the track grooves are closer together to achieve the higher capacity. Up to the standardized 700 MB, however, this occurs almost exclusively with older CD players and drives.
Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-R

A test with the IBM 5150

For a quick test I just installed the software (V2.06) on my IBM 5150. Restart the computer, the driver is installed without problems, insert a 650 MB data CD and execute the DIR command. That was it. The whole procedure didn't take 3 minutes. Then I ejected the data CD and started an audio CD. The music sounds either via the front headphone output (with volume control) or via an active box and the rear output "CD-Audio Output". I don't have the words.

Model 165700

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Version 2.1x software was designed to recognize and control model 163550, 164550, 165550, 165700 and 167550 Backpack CD-ROM units.

Sound Compatibility of Backpack CD-ROM’s Built-in 16-bit Sound Board
(Models 16x700, bantam Models 18x200 and Backpacks with Sound Upgrade #826)

Backpack’s built-in sound board is fully Windows and Windows 95 compatible. The Sound board drivers are designed to produce "Windows-compatible" sound. This means that any programs that utilize Windows sound will use Backpack’s BPSOUND.DRV driver to produce "Multimedia Sound" in Windows. This software is only designed for sound compatibility under Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and Windows 95. The sound drivers that currently ship with Backpack are not compatible with DOS-based sound applications, Windows NT or OS/2 based applications (including WIN-OS2 utilities).
...
Document # 2205

MicroSolutions Backpack CD-ROM drive 165700, (6x)

Model 167550

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