From: baustin@billapc.UUCP (Bill Austin)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard,alt.cd-rom
Subject: Re: Sound Blaster Pro and CD-ROM
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 02:34:04 EDT
Organization: Ground Zero Group, Columbus, OH 43227

kevinlu@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au (Kevin Lu) writes:

> Sorry if this is a FAQ, but i was wondering if anyone had some thoughts
> about the Sound Blaster Pro, it's CD-ROM Attachment, and its use on a
> 486-33 or 486-50..

1. The Sound Blaster Pro is a very nice card (though may be eclipsed by
   the yet to be released Sound Blaster 16 (16-bit) which I won't
   comment on due to not wanting to pass invalid information on.

   I own one, and is put to use in a 386-40.. its known problems in
   *MY* system is that the gameport is flakey (at best) in my speed
   computer (i.e. a 486 at 33+.. about the same problem)
   Occasionally there is a problem (on other people's SB-Pros and
   mine.. I don't THINK its a defective card) with a constant tone
   which can't be terminated on the FM sound line.. This SEEMS to be
   again linked to the high speed machine.  (FWIW.. processor is at
   40 MHz and my bus is at 20 MHz.. slowing the bus down to 8 MHz or
   13 MHz the problem is less frequent.)  The problem is during
   initialization only.  If the machine/card [cold] boots without the
   problem.. there never will be a problem..  I don't power-down very
   often.  (remove card, change jumper.. power outage beyond UPS
   limits)

   The SB and SB-Pro are well supported by software.

2. The CD-Rom upgrade which can be used with the SB-Pro is generally a
   pretty slow drive (as if any CD-Rom was fast!) but not too far
   outside the norms for its price range.  You are locked into a very
   few compatibe drives (panasonic and/or creative labs only..)

   fwiw.. the disc bundle and drive minus the Pro card (or the entire
   bundle including the card.. its available both ways... I personally
   would buy them separate and let it sink in a little if you wanted
   'their' drive or something else..) is a fairly nice collection of
   discs.  If having a couple of discs included is important.. its
   worth it to get the bundle.. else spend the money on a faster (or
   more compatible with other software.. like OS/2) drive.

   Not to say that my decision was perfect.. however, owning an SB-Pro
   (as a single purchase.. not the CD-bundle kit) I STRONGLY considered
   using the upgrade (which I found as low as $349..$349 mail order)
   drive/disk bundle to get upto/into CD-Rom.. I didn't (at that time)
   have a SCSI card in this particular machine at that time.. I also
   didn't have any free internal bays.. (the external drive from
   Creative is more expensive I believe.. and quite rarely advertised..
   I BELIEVE that I've heard of people having trouble with it as
   well... and the advise they got from tech support was to convert it
   to an internal drive.... I can't confirm that however)

   Anyway.. I decided that I needed an external drive.  I use OS/2 2.0
   GA+SP and needed/wanted at least data-drive ability for it.
   Creative Labs at that time (now??? who knows) was going to put out
   drivers to make OS/2 recognize the drive.  I still havent' seen
   them.. not that I've killed myself looking anymore)
   So, I found the NEC CDR-73 in Computer Shopper (Nov around page 600
   from Tiger Software.. my saleperson was very polite and helpfull in
   answering questions and finding phone numbers for NEC to ask
   compatiblity questions that he couldn't answer about OS/2.. Steve ext
   2902.. I'm NOT a paid employee.. just a very satisfied customer)
   for $399 + $159 for the interface.. which isn't a bad price for a
   good-brand drive/controller.. On calling.. the controller bundle
   (Controller and CD-Speedway) was no more... the controller was being
   thrown in with the $399 price on the drive and CD-speedway (a very
   worthwhile $100 product by itself) was NOT included with the $399
   drive+controller combo.. Fine. An even better price than I had
   already decided I wanted.  three days later I got the drive, and 15
   minutes later (unpacking.. manual reading.. card installing) the
   drive was up and working..
   The Bundled controller came in an NEC brand box.. but was actually a
   varient of, or a licensed production of the Trantor T128 SCSI card.
   Which I had the drivers for (on IBM NSC bbs.. its OS2-TSL.exe or
   something very close)..

   So, view what OS you will be running.. DOS and Windows 3.x.. ANY
   CD-Rom will work.. If you happen to use OS/2 2.x.. you will need to
   research your controller's drivers.  For me.. I also had to consider
   that I wanted/needed an external drive.  For the money.. I spent
   about $30 more than the bundle price for the creative labs drive.. I
   got a faster drive, and no discs in the deal.. but that will come.

3. For speed considerations.. The biggest problem is that CD-Roms just
   aren't very fast in the first place.  Your computer speed will have
   very little effect on the situation.  It will (if my machine is an
   indicator) affect how well the SB-Pro works however.

Good Luck, and hope you enjoy whatever you buy.  My choice was perfect
for me.. even though I already had a SB-Pro.. it might be overkill
expense to go to the lengths that I did..

baustin@billapc