NEXTSTEP for Intel Processors Release 3.3
System Driver Overview

Driver: EIDE
Driver Overview: NeXTanswer #1839
Last Update: March 25, 1996

Availability Information

Newer Released Driver in NeXTanswers:  Yes, Version 3.31, as NeXTanswer #1838
Newer Beta Driver in NeXTanswers:  Yes, Version 3.34, as NeXTanswer #1977

Driver Name / Installer .pkg: EIDE
Driver Type: System
Driver Scope: Generic-System
Supported Components: PC Tech RZ1000
PC Bus / Interface Supported by Driver*: Integrated, ISA, PCI
Supported Connectors: 40-pin Header (Internal IDE)
Access Mode: PIO
Adapter Memory: 

General Overview notes: This drivers supports IDE disks and IDE ATAPI rev. 1.2 compliant CD-ROMs. It supports primary and secondary IDE controllers with up to 2 drives per controller.  Please refer to 1933_EIDE_and_ATAPI_CDROM_Support_in_NEXTSTEP_3.3.rtf for more information on configuring your EIDE drives for NEXTSTEP.

This driver replaces the IDE driver distributed on the NEXTSTEP 3.3 CD.

Supported Products / Add-on Adapters:
The following ATAPI CD-ROM drives are supported:
Chinon CD-ROM CDS-525 (2X), firmware rev. W09
Matsushita CD-ROM CR-571 (2X), firmware rev. 1.0e -- Panasonic
Mitsumi CD-ROM 1B (4X), firmware rev. B02 -- model FX400
Sony CD-ROM CDU55E (2X), firmware rev. 1.0u
Sony CD-ROM CDU76E-S (4X), firmware rev. 1.0c
Toshiba CD-ROM XM-5302TA (4X), firmware rev. 0305

The beta driver adds support for the following ATAPI CD-ROM drives:
Philips CM207, firmware rev  1.10  (??) -- reported to work
SONY CD-ROM CDU76E-Q, firmware rev 1.0c  (4X) 
SONY CD-ROM CDU55D, firmware rev 1.0v  (2X)
SONY CD-ROM CDU77E, firmware rev 1.0e  (4X)
TORiSAN CD-ROM CDR-S1, firmware rev 1.70  (4X) -- SANYO
Chinon CD-ROM CDS-545, firmware rev  ERc A1.0  (4X)
GoldStar CD-ROM GCD-R540, firmware rev 1.17  (4X)
GoldStar CD-ROM GCD-540C, firmware rev 1.01  (4X)
SANYO CRD-254P, firmware rev 1.02 (4X) 
MATSHITA CD-ROM CR-574, firmware rev 1.06  (4X) -- Panasonic
Pioneer CD-ROM DR-UA124X, firmware rev 1.02  (4X) -- force detection
MITSUMI CD-ROM !B, firmware rev K02 (4X) -- DRM FX400B
TEAC CD-55E, firmware rev  ??   (4X) -- Thinkpad 760CD
ATAPI CD-ROM SPEED-6X, firmware rev  6.2D  (6X) -- ACER 665A
VERTOS 600ESD CD-ROM X6-IDE, firmware rev 1.20 (6X)
TEAC CD-56E, firmware rev 1.0D  (6X)
MATSHITA UJDCD4700, firmware rev 1.11  (??)

Supported Products / Systems (ie integrated into PC System):
Other ATAPI 1.2 compliant CD-ROM drives should work with NEXTSTEP even if they are not in the supported list. If a CD-ROM drive does not work with NEXTSTEP (or even if it does) we would like to know about it. Please send an email message to nextanswers-request@next.com including the model number of the CD-ROM drive and also whether this drive is connected as a master or a slave.

Special Features of Driver / Driver Notes:
Also see the NextAnswer 1933_EIDE_and_ATAPI_CDROM_Support_in_NEXTSTEP_3.3

NeXT's EIDE driver is not affected by the RZ1000 hardware bug.

This device driver provides information in the Configure application's help panel. Choose Info>Help from the Configure menu and scroll down to find this device driver's help topic.

Known Problems

These devices are not supported.
1. NEC CD-ROM DRIVE:260  (2X)
2. Hitachi CDR-7730  (4X)

To get the Pioneer DR-UA124X 1.02 CD-ROM to work you must force detection. You can do this by going in Expert mode and adding the key "ATAPI Device"="Slave" (or "Master" as the case may be) to the table.

Driver versions 3.33 and below can cause certain systems to hang under very heavy load.

Driver Version Notes

3.33: This version adds support for several new ATAPI CD-ROM drives and fixes some bugs.
3.34: Fixed a bug which could cause machines to hang under very heavy load. 

Future Planning

Future / Update Planning:  
Reason for New Driver / Update: 
New Driver / Update Timeframe:  

New Driver / Update Description: 

Note: Information contained in the "Future Planning" section of this document does not constitute a commitment on the part of NeXT to complete the planned development work.

* - Indicates information that is inclusive of the entire capability of this driver. Not all devices supported by this driver may include all features listed. Check any available NeXTanswers and the hardware manual for the device for additional information.

Product Vendor