Looking for an IDE controller that won't increase boot time

[Pixel Eater]

I realize IDE is on its way out, but I have a pretty special CD drive (to me anyway, a BenQ DW1655) I'd like to migrate to my new build. The Asus P8Z77-V Pro is naturally without support. I was so ready to grab this card, but one reviewer had to go and mention its BIOS requires you to press a button to proceed, every time. Considering my new startup can have me at Metro in 14 seconds, I'd really hate to introduce even a 5 second hangup. It seems like there's no such thing as a perfect IDE controller, it's like they're all spotty... can anyone recommend one that at least won't throttle DVD speeds, and will boot fast? Preferably with no BIOS message.

 

[s0rce]

What about a USB->IDE adapter, just attach it to one of the internal USB headers. I'm pretty sure these are compatible with CD drives but I've never done it.

 

[BecauseScience]

Better than USB->IDE...a SATA to IDE bridge http://www.syba.com/index.php?controller=Product&action=List&Id=92

I've used them on dvd drives with good results.

 

[UhClem]

Since we share an affection for our DW1655, I'm compelled to try to assist you (maybe I'll even bank some BenQ-karma).

If you check out this thread [link] on myce.com (previously cdfreaks.com), you'll see that cards based on the Silicon Image 0680A (PCI-based, so you can save a PCIe) are a favorite. I don't know about current availability, but I bet you can find some.

This post [link] in that thread touches on your concern. And there have been several BIOS updates since then.

Good luck. Pls let me know your results--I might be walking in your shoes, down the road.

 

[UhClem]

Better than USB->IDE...a SATA to IDE bridge http://www.syba.com/index.php?controller=Product&action=List&Id=92

I've used them on dvd drives with good results.

Bridge boards can be hit-or-miss, especially for IDE/ATAPI=>SATA. If OP wants to try this route (vs IDE card), I'd suggest this one (Rosewill RC-204) [link]. It is based on the Silicon Image 3811 which is well-documented and -supported. I haven't used it for opticals (many others have). [I do have several in service, enabling smooth-as-silk hot-swap of IDE hard-drives (in conjunction with modified mobile racks).]

 

[Pixel Eater]

As usual, such great answers from Hardforum. Alternatives that hadn't even crossed my mind. I believe my friend has that Rosewill RC-204, but he maybe ran into the issue that it doesn't work for applications where the 4 pin molex goes in directly alongside the IDE? I could be making this up. That chipset and solution do sound really good.

I did find one 0680 card, which I'll likely fall back on if my purchase goes south. It sounds like the drivers and BIOS support are a little lost in the past. I'm going to try this and see what happens. I like that it's no wider at its base than it has to be. I'll combine it with this surely rare little cable

I'll report back on how this works out.

 

[Plastikman]

I am also in a similar boat.
I have a Samsung SH-D162C IDE DVD with Kreon firmware.
up until now, i have just kept an old LGA775 shuttle PC just to keep this drive running.

Let us know what you end up with.

I might look into that Rosewill RC-204.

 

[Blue Fox]

Just use sleep mode?

 

[BecauseScience]

Go with the sata-ide bridge and as UhClem said, be sure to get one with a Silicon Image chip. I've owned a few bridges over the years (all with Silicon Image chips) and I've never had any issues with optical devices. I used to burn quite a lot of CD's and DVD's back in the day too.

 

[UhClem]

A note of caution: If, in searching for a IDE(device)=>SATA(port) bridge solution, you come across Monoprice's ProdID#327 (which is the same as the Syba (#941) [referenced in post#3], be aware that Monoprice incorrectly describes their product as using SiliconImage chip.

Originally (through early 2010), that same ProdID#327 did use a SunPlus 3811 (licensed from SiI), but after that, it changed to a SunPlus SPIF223A chip. This new implementation might work OK for most applications, but it failed for my (admittedly unusual) situation (exploiting SATA/AHCI hot-swap). Monoprice refunded me no problem, BUT even after I spoke with their operations manager (May '10) and explained both the situation and the (now) misrepresentation, they still describe the product as containing Silicon Image technology.

I actually prefer the (original #327) product to the RC-204, but only because it is enclosed in a translucent plastic case [no exposed contacts]. Both are functionally equivalent though. By the way, Monoprice still use the photo of the old one . The SiI3811 one has that main chip in a rectangular orientation, vs the SPIF223A one where it is rotated 45 degrees (diamond oriented).

Even if this rant doesn't help anyone today, at least it should go into the Google elephant memory, and might benefit some anal geek in the future.

 

[UhClem]

... I believe my friend has that Rosewill RC-204, but he maybe ran into the issue that it doesn't work for applications where the 4 pin molex goes in directly alongside the IDE?

The RC-204 (as of 2 yrs ago) does not preclude access to the adjacent Molex. I believe you're describing an almost-unavoidable side-effect of all bridge-boards/adapters that directly attach to the device's IDE. Compared to a lone IDE cable, they all reduce the horizontal and/or vertical clearance to the device's nearby Molex. With the board/adapter attached, grabbing the Molex is just a little more of a PITA than it normally is ("I got blisters on my fingers." [Ringo])

I did find one 0680 card ...

Thanks for that pointer; I might get one, just in case.

 

[mwroobel]

I suppose my question will be what is so special to you about the BenQ DW1655? High-Speed rips? There are a lot of non-official firmwares around for much more current drives, which allow a bevy of features.

 

[Old Hippie]

I suppose my question will be what is so special to you about the BenQ DW1655?

They're very highly rated units from 2006-07 that are no longer being produced.

Kinda like a classic.

I haven't really looked into CD/DVD units for a coupla years because I'm still using mine and have a spare......or two

 

[UhClem]

I suppose my question will be what is so special to you about the BenQ DW1655?

For me, the DW1655 is excellent for producing "Quality Scans" (using CD-DVD_Speed v4.7.7.1[56]). Just because a burn "verifies" and is not a coaster, does not warrant confidence. Mine is dedicated to that task. (Many like it for burns, but my Pioneer DVR115D is even better at that.) About 1500 scans with the 1655; 900+ burns on the 115D. Have a spare of each, too.

Even after I am no longer burning DVDs, but haven't sh*t-canned my discs, I'll still want to do a periodic Quality Scan sampling to check on the aging process. You know ... "Trust But Verify"

 

[mwroobel]

For me, the DW1655 is excellent for producing "Quality Scans" (using CD-DVD_Speed v4.7.7.1[56]). Just because a burn "verifies" and is not a coaster, does not warrant confidence. Mine is dedicated to that task. (Many like it for burns, but my Pioneer DVR115D is even better at that.) About 1500 scans with the 1655; 900+ burns on the 115D. Have a spare of each, too.

Even after I am no longer burning DVDs, but haven't sh*t-canned my discs, I'll still want to do a periodic Quality Scan sampling to check on the aging process. You know ... "Trust But Verify"

There are some current drives that exhibit very low C1/C2 and P1 error quantities. For cdr's you will never get as low as with a non-dvd burner, but some of the new ones are very respectable.

 

[Pixel Eater]

I was impressed with how the BenQ actually chewed through those tests where most drives, yes including today's, come up short. Since perfect FLAC rips are all I'm looking for in an optical drive, I was just very happy to find a trusty one. I love this drive and would have gone to greater troubles to not replace it.

However, this worked! I'm back to ripping CDs perfectly, nothing weird, no drivers to deal with. Actually there was this crazy thing where Windows 8 hung on post, eventually reset, and went into this silly "something's broke : (" mode I've never seen. Somehow it finally got me to the desktop after that. Aaaanyway it turned out you have to flip these tiny switches on the bridge to set it to master/slave in accordance with what the drive's jumpers are. After that, no problems and zero startup delay. So thanks again for pointing me this direction. By the way this is using the Sunplus SPIF223 chipset.