USER’S GUIDE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE HI-SPEED USB 2.0 Copyright © 2006 AcomData. All rights reserved. The AcomData name and its logos are registered trademarks of Dura Micro, Inc. Other trademarks mentioned or appearing in this document are the property of their respective owners. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Important 1. Please retain the bill of sale from the purchase of your AcomData product. A copy of the bill of sale will be needed in the event that the product requires warranty service. 2. Please fill in the information requested below. You will need this information at hand for product registration and in the event that the product requires service. (See “Obtaining Service” for more information.) The Model and Serial numbers are printed on the label affixed to the underside of the Drive's stand.
Contact AcomData Address: 3410 Pomona Blvd., Pomona, CA 91768 Telephone: (909) 348-0680 Fax: (909) 598-8663 Web Site: www.acomdata.com Customer Service: customerservice@acomdata.com Technical Support: techsupport@acomdata.com Pre-Sales Questions: sales@acomdata.
Contents 1 Important 2 Contact AcomData Introduction 8 Welcome 10 Precautions 11 Package Contents 12 Product Registration for Warranty Coverage 14 System Requirements for Windows 16 System Requirements for Mac Getting to Know Your AcomData Drive 20 The Drive at a Glance 21 21 22 23 25 25 26 The Drive In-Depth About Hi-Speed USB 2.
26 27 27 28 Hot-Pluggable Fanless Design On-Off Switch Technical Specifications Drive Installation & Setup 30 30 30 32 Setting Up the Drive Choosing an Orientation (Vertical or Horizontal) Vertical Placement Horizontal Placement 34 Installing the USB 2.
49 What if you forget your password? Using & Maintaining Your Drive 52 How to Properly Turn Off and Disconnect the Drive 54 Naming the HD Partition 56 56 58 59 60 61 Re-Formatting the HD Partition About Formatting and File Systems Choosing a File System Formatting the HD Partition in Windows XP or 2000 Formatting the HD Partition in Windows Me or 98SE Formatting the HD Partition in Mac OS X 62 Performing Routine Tasks 63 63 64 65 65 Maintaining your Drive Defragmenting and Optimizing a Hard Drive
5 Obtaining Service 76 Frequently Asked Questions 80 Glossary of Terms 83 One Year Limited Warranty 85 Notices
Introduction
Welcome Welcome, and thank you for choosing an AcomData E5 External Hard Drive. Your AcomData Drive features high-quality construction, advanced engineering, and state-of-the-art data storage technology, designed to provide years of reliable, user-friendly performance. Your AcomData Drive is furnished with two guides: 1) this Hard Drive User's Guide, and; 2) a PDF* PushButton Backup User's Guide, located on the Drive's CD partition (more on the CD partition later).
Symbols used in this guide: Alerts the reader to a warning or important information. Indicates information specific to Mac users. Indicates a helpful tip or other useful information. Indicates information specific to Windows users. Alerts the reader to important information about USB-related issues.
Precautions Please follow the precautions listed below. Not doing so may result in damage to the device, loss of data, and voiding of the warranty. • If using this device for general-purpose storage, we strongly recommend that you backup the files stored on the device. AcomData is not responsible for data loss or corruption; nor will AcomData perform recovery of lost data or files. • Do not attempt to open, disassemble, or modify the device. • Do not expose the device to damp or wet conditions.
Package Contents AcomData E5 Drive & Stand USB 2.0 Driver Installation CD USB cable Hard Drive User’s Guide Mail-In Registration Card AC Adapter & Power Cord Rubber Feet If you are missing any item shown above, please contact Customer Service at customerservice@acomdata.com, or call 800-470-4495.
Product Registration for Warranty Coverage Registration is required in the event that your product needs servicing. (See “Obtaining Service ” for details.) Online Registration Register your product instantly online at www.acomdata.com. Once you enter the site, click on the Product Registration button and follow the instructions on screen. Advantages of Online Registration: 1. It’s fast, free, and your product is registered immediately; 2. Free unlimited online technical support; 3.
Mail-in Registration You may also register via mail by filling out and returning the Registration Card included in the package. When registering your AcomData product you will need the Model number and Serial number. Both are printed on the product label affixed to the box, and on the label affixed to the underside of the Drive's stand.
System Requirements for Windows What you need for the Drive itself: • Minimum 233 MHz processor (Pentium, Celeron, AMD, etc.) • One of the following operating systems: - Windows XP (Home Edition, Professional, Professional x64 Edition, Media Center Edition) - Windows 2000 - Windows Me - Windows 98SE • Available USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 port Password Security has no additional requirements.
Important Notes: Windows 98SE users: You will need to install the supplied USB 2.0 driver. Instructions are provided in "Installing the USB 2.0 Driver." Windows 2000 Users: If you do not have Service Pack 4 you will need to install the supplied USB 2.0 driver. Instructions are provided in "Installing the USB 2.0 Driver." If using a USB 1.1 connection the device will operate at USB 1.1 speeds (up to 12 Mbps).
System Requirements for Mac What you need for the Drive itself: • Mac or Power Mac with a PowerPC or Intel processor • Mac OS 10.2 or later • Available USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 port Password Security requires: 5 MB of free computer hard disk space for the SecureHD Login software PushButton Backup requires: • Mac OS 10.
Important Notes: If using a USB 1.1 connection the device will operate at USB 1.1 speeds (up to 12 Mbps). Mac OS 10.2 users whose Drives are 128 GB or larger: Mac OS 10.2 does not recognize FAT32/MS-DOS formatted volumes larger than 128 GB. (For more information on this issue, go to: http://docs.info.apple.com/article. html?artnum=107483 on the Apple web site.) If you are using Mac OS 10.2 and your Drive is larger than 128 GB there are several ways to deal with this issue: 1.
Getting to Know Your AcomData Drive
The Drive at a Glance PushButton Lights up blue when the Drive is powered on. Flashes red when reading or writing data. Press to run a backup operation. (Requires installation of the PushButton Backup software. See the PushButton Backup User’s Guide for information.) Zinc Alloy Stand Can be removed for horizontal placement or stacking of Drives. Power Switch Turn the Drive on and off as needed while your computer is running. See “How to Properly Turn Off and Disconnect the Drive” for details. USB 2.0/1.
The Drive In-Depth About Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Your AcomData Drive is equipped with a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface. (USB stands for "Universal Serial Bus.") USB 2.0 has a maximum interface transfer rate (i.e. bandwidth) of 480 Mbps (Megabits per second). That's 40 times faster than the earlier standard, USB 1.1, which has a bandwidth of 12 Mbps).
USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1. This means you can connect a USB 1.1 device to a USB 2.0 port, and vice versa. However, interface transfer rates are limited by the interface with the lower speed. So, for example, if you plug a USB 2.0 device into a USB 1.1 port on your computer, data transfer rates will be limited to USB 1.1 speeds. USB uses a master/slave architecture. This means the computer (the "master") dictates data flow to, from and between attached USB devices (the "slaves").
Devices with Removable Storage with the label "CD PART." On the Mac OS it will appear on the Desktop and in the Finder. The CD partition stores the software and documentation bundled with your Drive, so they go wherever your Drive goes.
window. (The CD partition will mount automatically, whether you login or not.) On Windows, Password Security comes enabled and armed with a pre-set password. You can create your own password, or you can disable Password Security. To use Password Security on a Mac you must first install the SecureHD Login software. Then, whenever you want to mount the Drive, simply launch the SecureHD Login and enter your password.
PushButton™ Backup PushButton Backup is a faster, easier way to run routine data backups. Rather than having to launch a backup utility and set cumbersome parameters every time you want to backup your files, all you need to do is press the PushButton on your Drive. Not only does PushButton Backup make backups simpler and more convenient, but since you’re backing up your data to a high-performance hard drive—as opposed to say, tape or optical media—backups are also much faster.
provided in the PushButton Backup User's Guide. Mac & PC Ready Your AcomData Drive was formatted at the factory with the FAT32 file system. Since FAT32 is supported by both Windows and the Mac OS, the Drive is compatible with both Mac and PC right out of the box. Although FAT32 will work fine in most cases, you may want to consider re-formatting the Drive using one of the other file systems that may be available to you. See “Re-Formatting the Drive" for information, tips and instructions.
Fanless Design All hard drives generate some heat during normal operation. However, your AcomData Drive was engineered to: a) generate less heat, and; b) dissipate what heat it does generate so efficiently that it doesn’t need a fan. The results are: a sleeker, more compact design, and; near-silent operation. On-Off Switch It's a very simple thing, but it's powerful too. The on-off switch allows you to save electricity by turning the Drive on only when you actually need to use it.
Technical Specifications Dimensions: ............................................................ 4.6" X 1.37" X 8.13"; 117 X 35 x 206.5 (mm) Weight............................................................................................................... 1.09 Kg / 2.4 lbs. Interface:.......................................................................................................... Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Interface transfer rate (max)......................................................................
Drive Installation & Setup
Setting Up the Drive Place the Drive on a sturdy, flat surface. Do not place the Drive on an unstable or makeshift base, such as a stack of books, that may be prone to collapse or toppling. Choosing an Orientation (Vertical or Horizontal) Your AcomData Drive can be placed on your desktop in either the vertical or horizontal position. If you do not plan to stack on additional AcomData Drives, we recommend the vertical position, as this orientation takes up the minimum amount of desktop space.
1. If the screws and nuts are not already affixed to the stand, insert the two screws through the two holes from the underside of the stand. Screw a nut onto the end of each screw just far enough to hold the nut to the screw. Do not tighten the nuts. 2. With both screws and nuts in place, push down on each screw head to make sure the screws extend through the holes as far as they will go. 3.
Horizontal Placement Do not discard the stand. The label with your Drive’s Model and Serial numbers may be affixed to the underside of the stand (it may also be affixed to the back of the Drive). In the event that you need warranty service, you will need to send us the stand along with the Drive itself. Removing the stand Use a screw driver with the proper type and size head to loosen the two screws located on the underside of the stand.
Affixing the rubber feet to the Drive case It is highly recommended you use the supplied rubber feet for horizontal placement and stacking of Drives. The feet help keep the Drive securely in place, and they also prevent the Drive case from possibly scuffing your desktop. 1. Decide whether you want the Power-Data Light to be located on the left or right side when the Drive is in the horizontal position, and select the appropriate side on which to affix the feet. 2.
Installing the USB 2.0 Driver If you are using Windows 98SE or Windows 2000 (Service Pack 3 or earlier) you need to install the USB 2.0 driver on the supplied CD before connecting the Drive. Follow the instructions below. All other users can proceed to "Connecting the Drive to Your Computer." 1. Insert the CD into your computer's CD/DVD drive. 2. The installation program will launch automatically. Follow the instructions in the InstallShield Wizard.
Connecting the Drive About the USB cable… 64# DBCMF The USB cable supplied with your AcomData Drive is both USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 compatible, so you may use either type of connection on your computer or hub. Each end of the USB cable has different connectors called Type A and Type B. The Type A connector plugs into your computer or USB hub. The Type B connector plugs into the Drive.
Connecting the Drive to Your Computer 1. The pins of the AC adapter connector are arranged such that the connector can be inserted into the Drive’s Power Port only one way. Orient the connector correctly and insert it into the Power Port. It should not require much force to plug in. If the connector will not go in, check the orientation and try again. Do not force the connector or you may damage it and/or the Drive and void the warranty. 2. Plug the power cord into the socket in the AC adapter.
USB 2.0/1.1 Port Power Switch To AC outlet (If plug has three prongs, be sure to plug into a threeprong outlet.) USB Type B Connector Power Port USB Cable Power Cord AC Adapter 37 USB Type A Connector Plug into to a USB 2.0 /1.1 port on your computer or USB hub.
What to do next… Windows Users: After you turn on the Drive, the CD partition will mount (it will appear in My Computer labeled "CD PART") and the SecureHD Login window will appear on screen. You can either keep Password Security enabled, or you can disable it if you do not want to secure the HD partition. In either case, proceed now to "Password Security for Windows" for instructions. Mac users: Both the CD and HD partitions should mount to the Desktop and appear in the Finder's Sidebar.
Using Password Security
Password Security for Windows Changing the Password You can change the password at any time. Doing so will not affect any data stored on your Drive. 1. In order to change the password, the Drive must be connected to your computer and powered on. (See "Connecting the Drive to Your Computer" for instructions.) 2. If you have not yet logged in, or if this is your first time using Password Security, the SecureHD Login window should be on the screen. In the SecureHD Login window, click on the Options button.
6. In the Hint field, type in a word or short phrase that will help you remember your password in case you forget it. Click OK. 7. You will see a message telling you to unplug and plug in the device. Click OK, then unplug and plug in the USB cable connected to your computer. In this instance, you do not need to unmount the Drive before disconnecting the USB cable. 8. The login window will appear. Enter your password and click OK. After a few moments the HD partition will mount.
3. Check Disable Password Security. 4. In the Current Password field, enter the current password. If this is your first time using Password Security, enter 12345 (this is the factory pre-set). 5. You will see a message telling you to unplug and plug in the device. Click OK, then unplug and plug in the USB cable connected to your computer. In this instance, you do not need to unmount the Drive before disconnecting the USB cable. 6.
tion will be displayed. 3. Double-click PWMangr.exe. 4. In the New Password field, enter a password. The password must contain at least four characters. 5. In the Confirm New Password field, enter the password again. 6. In the Hint field, type in a word or short phrase that will help you remember your password in the event that you forget what it is. Click OK. 7. You will see a message telling you to unplug and plug in the device. Click OK, then unplug and plug in the USB cable connected to your computer.
Password Security for Mac Installing the SecureHD Login Software Before you can use Password Security on a Mac you need to install the SecureHD Login software. 1. In order to install the software, the Drive must be connected to your computer, powered on and mounted. (See "Connecting the Drive to Your Computer" for instructions.) 2. Double-click on the CD PART icon on the Desktop or in the Finder. 3. In the CD window, open the folder "SecureHD Login" and then double-click on "SecureHD Login.tar.gz.
Changing the Password You can change the password at any time. Doing so will not affect any data stored on your Drive. 1. In order to change the password, the Drive must be connected to your computer, powered on and mounted. (See "Connecting the Drive to Your Computer" for instructions.) 2. Double-click on the SecureHD Login icon on the Desktop. The SecureHD Login window will appear on screen. 3. Click on the Options button. 4. In the Current Password field, enter the current password.
tions. To do so, drag each partition to the trash one at a time. After the partitions have been unmounted, unplug and then plug in the USB cable from your computer. 9. To log in, double-click on the SecureHD Login icon, enter your password and click Login. The HD partition, labeled "HD PART" will mount to the Desktop and in the Finder. Disabling Password Security You can disable Password Security at any time. Doing so will not affect any data stored on your Drive. 1.
unplug the USB cable, you must unmount the CD and HD partitions. To do so, drag each partition to the trash one at a time. After the partitions have been unmounted, unplug and then plug in the USB cable from your computer. Enabling Password Security You can enable Password Security at any time. Doing so will not affect any data stored on your Drive. 1. In order to enable Password Security, the Drive must be connected to your computer, powered on and mounted.
device for the change to take effect. Click OK, but before you unplug the USB cable, you must unmount the CD and HD partitions. To do so, drag each partition to the trash one at a time. After the partitions have been unmounted, unplug and then plug in the USB cable from your computer. 8. Double-click on the SecureHD Login icon on the Desktop to access the login window. Enter your password and click Login. After a few moments, the SecureHD partition will mount.
What if you forget your password? If you permanently forget your password, you will not be able to access the HD partition. Any data stored therein will effectively be lost. Password Security allows three consecutive attempts to enter your password at login before you are able to view your Hint and try again. If you permanently forget your password you will not be able to access the HD partition.
50
Using & Maintaining Your Drive
How to Properly Turn Off and Disconnect the Drive Before a hard drive can be used it must be "mounted" to a computer, which means the operating system has recognized the drive as a usable volume and established a communications link with it. (If the drive contains more than one recognizable partition, each partition will mount as a separate volume.) Before you turn off or disconnect a hard drive, you must unmount its mounted volume(s) (i.e.
seconds both of the partitions will unmount and Windows will give you a message that it is safe to remove the device. 3. Click OK. You can then safely turn off and/or disconnect the Drive. Mac Users From the Desktop: One at a time, drag the Drive's CD PART and HD PART icons to the Trash. After both icons disappear from the Desktop you can safely turn off and/or disconnect the Drive. From within the Finder: Locate the CD PART and HD PART icons in the Sidebar.
Naming the HD Partition The default name (label) of the HD partition is "HD PART." You can change the label, if you wish, in order to make the name more meaningful to you (e.g. "My Work", "HD 1", etc.) If you plan to re-format the HD partition, you will have the opportunity to rename the partition during the formatting process. Windows Users: Option 1: 1. Go to My Computer and click on the HD PART icon. 2. With the HD PART icon highlighted, go to the File menu and select Properties. 3.
3. Enter a new name in the icon label and press Return. Mac Users: Option 1: 1. Click on the HD PART icon on the Desktop and press Return to highlight the label. 2. Type in a new name and press Return. You may be required to enter an administrator password before the change is accepted. Option 2: 1. Select the HD PART icon, either on the Desktop or in the Finder. 2. In the Finder menu, go to File > Get Info. The Info window will open. 3.
Re-Formatting the HD Partition Formatting a hard disk erases all data stored on the disk! Before you re-format or partition your Drive, be sure to save a copy of any files you wish to keep to another storage device. You can only re-format the HD partition. The CD partition cannot be altered or deleted. About Formatting and File Systems Before a hard disk can be used to store data it must contain one or more partitions, and each partition must be formatted with a given file system.
box. However, you may want to re-format the HD partition with another file system. This section provides a brief overview of the most common file systems used on Macs and PCs, and tips for selecting the file system that best suits your needs. About the most common file systems: • FAT32 is the standard file system used on Windows 98SE and Me, and is supported under Windows XP, 2000 and the Mac OS. Think of FAT32 as the "universal" PC and Mac file system.
Choosing a File System If you plan to use the Drive only on Windows XP or 2000, we recommend re-formatting the Drive with the NTFS file system. If you plan to use the Drive only on a Mac, we recommend re-formatting the Drive with one of the Mac OS Extended file systems (HFS Plus). Re-formatting the Drive with the FAT32 file system If you ever need to re-format the Drive but you want to maintain Mac and PC compatibility, you have two options: 1. Format the Drive on a Windows PC with the FAT32 file system. 2.
Formatting the HD Partition in Windows XP or 2000 1. Disable any anti-virus software you may have running. 2. Double-click on My Computer. In the My Computer window you should see the HD PART icon. 3. Right-click the HD PART icon and select Format… in the pop-up menu. The Format dialog box will appear. 4. Under Capacity, verify the capacity. It should be close to the stated capacity of your Drive in gigabytes. 5. In the File System pop-up menu, select the file system. 6.
Formatting the HD Partition in Windows Me or 98SE 1. Disable any anti-virus software you may have running. 2. Double-click on My Computer. In the My Computer window, right-click the HD PART icon and select Format. In the Format window, verify the capacity; it should be close to the stated capacity of your Drive in megabytes. 4. Under Format type, select Full; everything else should be left at the default setting.
Formatting the HD Partition in Mac OS X 1. Launch Disk Utility in the Applications folder. 2. The Disk Utility window will open. In the small window at the left, click the HD PART icon. 3. Click on the Erase tab. In the Erase window you will see a Volume Format pop-up menu and a Name field. 4. From the Volume Format pop-up, select a file system. If you plan to use the Drive only on a Mac, we recommend selecting the Mac OS Extended file system.
Performing Routine Tasks Opening Files and Folders 1. Double-click on the Drive icon. A window showing the Drive's contents will appear. 2. Double-click on the file or folder that you want to open. Copying Files and Folders to Your Drive 1. Single-click the file or folder you want to copy in order to highlight it. 2. Go to “Edit --> Copy.” 3. Double-click the Drive icon to open it. If you want to copy the file or folder to a specific folder on the Drive, double-click that folder to open it. 4.
Maintaining your Drive A hard drive is a very sophisticated and sensitive device that requires proper care and maintenance to ensure the longest possible life, reliable operation and—most importantly—the integrity of your stored data. Defragmenting and Optimizing a Hard Drive A hard drive stores data on disks called platters. Each platter surface is divided into concentric tracks. Each track is divided into sectors.
for fragments or free clusters. We recommend using defragmentation and optimization software to maximize storage efficiency and optimize performance. Optimization re-organizes files so that the files you use most often can be accessed more quickly. Defragmentation (defragging) consolidates file fragments into more efficient contiguous clusters. Examining and Repairing a Hard Drive There are a number of reasons why a hard drive may become damaged or the data may become corrupted.
Protecting Your Data from Viruses One of the greatest threats to your data comes from viruses. These nasty-sounding creatures are insidious programs created by malefactors. Some viruses are designed to render your computer inoperable; others will erase files. The worst part is you may not be aware that your system has been infected until it’s too late. The most common way computers catch viruses is by downloading and sharing infected files via e-mail and other Internet services.
Stacking Drives Your AcomData Drive was designed to be stackable so that you can add even more high-performance data storage without taking up more desktop space. For this section we assume that you already have a AcomData Drive installed on your system, and that the Drive is placed in the horizontal position. 1. Follow the steps in the section “Horizontal Placement” to properly prepare a Drive for stacking. 2.
Help & Other Information
Troubleshooting & Tech Support If you experience a problem with your AcomData product, you should take the following actions in the order specified: 1. Make sure you followed the instructions in this guide. 2. Consult the Troubleshooting sections of this guide. 3. If the issue you are having is still not resolved, contact Technical Support using one of the following options: a) via the online Technical Support form at www.acomdata.com; b) via e-mail at techsupport@acomdata.
Troubleshooting for Windows Users The Drive will not power on on. A: Make sure the connections are secure. My computer does not recognize the Drive. A: Possible reasons: • Make sure all of the connections are secure. • If you have an add-on card, make sure it is working properly and update the software/firmware. Also, make sure you have the latest updates for your operating system. When I leave my computer idle for a while and come back, the Drive won’t work properly.
The Drive gives me a “Device cannot start. Code (10).” A: This is a power issue. Make sure your connections are secure. The other possibility is that the Drive has malfunctioned and requires service. I don’t see my AcomData Drive in My Computer, but it does appear in Device Manager (Windows XP & 2000 only). A: Right-click on My Computer. Select Manage in the pop-up menu. In the Computer Management window, select Storage, then select Disk Management.
connect the Drive. Plug the Drive into a data port on your computer and try the format again. You may also come across this error if you are using Windows XP or 2000 and you try to format the Drive using the FAT32 file system. After I connected the Drive, I got the following alert message: “Hi-Speed USB device plugged into non-Hi-Speed USB Hub.” A: Windows XP and 2000 users will get this alert message if you plugged the Drive into a USB port that only support USB 1.1.
Troubleshooting for Mac Users The Drive will not power on. A: Make sure the connections are secure. My computer does not recognize the Drive. A: Possible reasons: • Make sure all of the connections are secure. • If you have an add-on card, make sure it is working properly and update the software/firmware. Also, make sure you have the latest updates for your operating system. When I leave my computer idle for a while and come back, my AcomData Drive won’t work properly.
Performance seems to be slower than 480 Mbps. A: First, in order to reach USB 2.0 speeds, you need a connection that supports USB 2.0. If the connection only supports USB 1.1 the Drive will operate at USB 1.1 speeds (up to 12 Mbps). The Drive will auto-sense the speed of your USB port and adjust between USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. Second, 480 Mbps is the maximum interface transfer rate of USB 2.0. Actual data transfer rates will vary depending on a number of factors. See "About Hi-Speed USB 2.
When I upgraded from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X, my computer asked me to re-initialize the Drive. A: If this message appears, you have no choice but to re-initialize the Drive in order to use it on Mac OS X. Using another computer if necessary, copy the data stored on your Drive to a second hard drive or other storage device. Re-initialize the AcomData Drive on Mac OS X, and then copy the data from the second storage device back to the AcomData Drive.
Obtaining Service If you experience a problem with your Acomdata product which cannot be resolved by Tech Support, your Tech Support Specialist will assist you in arranging for service. What you need to obtain warranty service: 1) A copy of the bill of sale for your AcomData product; 2) A Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number that is assigned to your product by your TSS. An RMA can only be generated if the product has been registered online at www.acomdata.com.
Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can I use my Drive on two computers at the same time? A: No. If you connect the Drive to two computers at the same time, you may damage the Drive and the computers. Q: Do I have to format my AcomData Drive prior to using it? A: No. All AcomData Drives are formatted at the factory with the FAT32 file system, making them compatible on Mac and PC right out of the box. You can re-format the Drive if you wish to use a file system other than FAT32.
Q: Can I connect the Drive to a USB expansion card? A: Yes, but you may need to update the software/firmware for the card. We recommend you check with the card’s manufacturer for the latest updates. Q: Is the Drive compatible with Windows 95, 98 (First Edition) or Windows NT? A: No. Q: Why doesn’t the Drive have a fan? A: All hard drives generate some heat during normal operation, which is why hard drives often have big, noisy fans.
and Mac operating systems use the binary (base 2) method, where 1GB = 1,024 MB = 1,048,576 KB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. For example: 120 GB (decimal) = 111.8 GB (binary). How did we get that number? Using the decimal method, 120 GB = 120,000,000,000 bytes. To convert that to binary we divide 120,000,000,000 by 1,073,741,824, which equals 111.8. Therefore, a 120 GB hard drive partition will mount as approximately a 111.8 GB volume on your computer's OS.
to transfer the contents of one startup disk to another, you will first need to properly install the operating system on the target startup disk. You can then use your AcomData Drive to copy over your files (except the operating system). Q: Does AcomData provide data recovery services? A: AcomData does not provide data recovery services. Q: Can you make the Drive bootable? A: Windows does not support the use of external hard drives as startup disks.
Glossary of Terms Bit - The basic unit of binary data, represented logically as a 1 or a 0. Bit - The basic unit of binary data, represented logically as a 1 or a 0. Buffer – See “Cache.” Bus – An electronic link that can convey data between devices, such as computers and peripherals. Byte – A basic unit of digital data, usually made up of eight bits (octet). A byte holds the equivalent of a single character, such as the letter A.
cific file system. Formatting is often referred to as initializing on the Mac. MB (Megabyte) – 1,048,576 bytes (binary); 1,000,000 bytes (decimal). Gigabyte – 1,024 megabytes (binary); 1,000 megabytes (decimal), or approximately one billion bytes. Partition – A fixed amount of reserved storage space on a hard disk. A disk can contain one or more partitions. A partition must be formatted with a compatible file system in order to mount to a given operating system.
One Year Limited Warranty AcomData warrants this product (the as follows: “Product ”) against defects in material or workmanship 1. LABOR: For a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase from AcomData or its local representative supplier, AcomData will repair defective Product (or, at its option, replace with a new or recertified product) at no charge. After this 1 year period, you must pay for all labor charges. 2.
loss of data; loss of use of the product or any associated equipment; down time and purchaser’s time. This warranty extends only to you, the original purchaser. It is not transferable to any one who subsequently purchases the Product from you. Proof of purchase in the form of a bill of sale (which is evidence that the Product is within the warranty period) must be presented to obtain warranty service.
Notices Copyrights Copyright © 2006 Dura Micro, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Dura Micro, Inc. Trademarks The AcomData name and its logos are registered trademarks of Dura Micro, Inc. Other trademarks mentioned or appearing in this document are the property of their respective owners.
USER’S GUIDE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE HI-SPEED USB 2.0 Copyright © 2006 AcomData. All rights reserved. The AcomData name and its logos are registered trademarks of Dura Micro, Inc. Other trademarks mentioned or appearing in this document are the property of their respective owners. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.
