MicroSolutions Backpack CDRW : You Can Record Music Through Your Cigarette Lighter ?
Written: Oct 01 '00 (Updated Dec 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to install, portable, easy to make CDs
Cons: Causes me printer problems with Windows ME
The Bottom Line: It has burned many a CD. My son is doing his best to wear it out now, but it's still going strong!
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| diverpam's Full Review: MicroSolutions Backpack CDRW |
"Hot Pluggable means you can use it in your car to record music," thus spake the computer genius in Office Depot who was trying to sell me this CD writer. "Just plug it into your cigarette lighter and you can record from the radio," he continued. He had already given us his credentials as an expert - he owns 4 computers and has them all networked at home.
Well, I'm no genius. In fact, I know just enough to be *really dangerous* when it comes to my computer. But, I did have enough sense to know I could not take this CD-RW and record music in my car from the radio while "hot plugged" to the cigarette lighter.
Why I Bought It
After managing to keep a straight face (I couldn't look my husband in the eye) I purchased this model because:
* It had the features I wanted:
"Rewrite CD-RWs, Write CD-Rs, and Read CDs"
* It had an $80 in-store rebate so it would cost me $199.00
* It was external and I didn't have a empty slot and refused to sacrifice my existing DVD player
Installation
It was actually done in only four steps.
1. Put cord in Backpack
2. Unplug printer from CPU
2. Plug Backpack cord into printer port on CPU
3. Plug printer into back of Backpack
If you're still with me after the "Hot Pluggable" incident above, that means you don't even have to restart the computer to use the new hardware.
Printer Pass-Through Port
I would have preferred a USB connection, but the instructions said you can use the pass-through port to print.
They tout this feature because all IBM compatible computers have a parallel printer port, so you can use it on most computers. It's also portable so you can move it to different computers.
Making CDs
Setup was quick and easy, the software installation went smoothly, and soon I made my first CD. It comes with CD authoring and editing tools for data and audio CDs.
It's very easy to use. You just find the files you want to add to your CD, add them to your queue. Then when you're ready you click one button and it starts making your CD.
It's pretty fast to use and will write full CDs in 20 minutes.
So, What's the Catch?
I installed Windows ME two days before I hooked up this hardware, so I'm not sure exactly wherein lies the fault.
However, my printer only prints a partial page when its connected through the Backpack. I was getting about 2/3 of the way down a page when the printer gave me error messages.
It was making me crazy and I was calling Bill Gates an assortment of creative names, before my husband reminded me my printer was hooked up through my latest toy. Oh, yeah.
Lo and behold (much to my husband's delight) when I removed the Backpack and once again had a direct connection to the CPU, the printer worked fine.
Footnote: A few months ago I gave this CDRW and my old computer to my son. He has been blissfully burning CDs ever since.
Recommended:
Yes
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diverpam
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
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~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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