----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I'm needing information about any/all quad speed CD-ROM drives on the market before 2 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) when our vax will shut down till mid-day Monday. We have to submit a request for educational equipment and want to upgrade our SLOW CD-ROM drive. When we researched this a year ago double speed was just coming out, and the ability to read Kodak photo CD images was also new. I understand both of these qualities are the norm now, but that there are quad speed drives available. I also understand that for retrieving and printing maps faster is better. But the more I research the subject, the more questions I have. So I thought that all of you map librarians would surely have some advise on the subject. I need brand names and info on what's out there, any pros and cons, what would be best for us, etc. And as you can see I need the info yesterday! Our present public workstation consists of a TENEX 486 DX, A HEWETT PACKARD DESKJET 1200 C color printer, and a Philips CM 100 CD-ROM drive. We will be using Map Expert, Global Explorer, DLG data on disc from USGS, and TIGER/Line files. I've read about a quad speed by Plextor (formerly Texel I think) internal drive PX-43 CH, bare. Do I need a SCSI with it? It has 600 KB sec throughput, 220 ms access time, 1024K buffer, MPC/2 level 2 compliant, and is Photo CD capable, for $475 (plus maybe a SCSI). Does that sound good? Does anyone know anything about it? Is there something better for our needs. We cannot justify a six pack at this time, so just want a single. Is there anything else you need to know to help me?? I SURE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ME!!!! Barbara J. Lowe Map Collection Assistant Ball State University Muncie, In 47305 (317)285-1097 Internet Address: [log in to unmask]