Controller recommendation to boot from DVD?

[Phaethar]

Hey all,

I have an old 1U rackmount system that I'd like to use for some testing, but to do so properly I need a DVD-ROM to install any of the newer operating system. Trouble is, the CD-ROM in this system is a slim drive, and is connected via a proprietary backplane connection. There are no IDE or SATA ports on the board. There is, however, a PCI riser, which should allow use of a controller card.

I've had some trouble finding a controller card that will properly identify and boot off of a DVD-ROM that's connected to it. I have a couple old IDE RAID cards sitting around, but they don't seem to detect optical drives. I'm willing to use SATA or IDE as I have DVD drives of both formats sitting around, but I need a controller that will identify and boot from them properly.

Thanks!

 

[Dually]

... the CD-ROM in this system is a slim drive, and is connected via a proprietary backplane connection.

Hmmm ... I recently upgraded my 1Us from CD to DVD ... was simply a matter of swapping out the slimline drive. Your slimline is a proprietary format? .. what the make/model?

 

[Phaethar]

Hmmm ... I recently upgraded my 1Us from CD to DVD ... was simply a matter of swapping out the slimline drive. Your slimline is a proprietary format? .. what the make/model?

The drive itself is a Samsung CD-Master 24E, model SN-124. The proprietary part comes from the backplane connection.. it uses a 44-pin connection to the backplane that covers data and power.

I don't plan on permanently replacing the CD drive. I was hoping to use a controller to boot off a normal DVD drive, install an OS, and then probably just hook the CD drive up again so I can put the cover back on the system.

 

[Dually]

You should be able to swap the "adapter" off the back of the slimine CD onto a slimline DVD ... might be cheaper than purchasing a controller ... just a thought.