E X T E R N A L E N C L O S U R E USER MANUAL w w w . v a n t e c u s a .
Package Contents: NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure: (NST-355U2, NST-355UF): • Driver CD • User Manual • NexStar 2 External 3.5“ HDD Enclosure • Power Adaptor • Power Cable • USB Cable • FireWire Cable (NST-355UF Only) • Screws • Vibration Dampeners NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure: (NST-525U2, NST-525UF): • Driver CD • User Manual • NexStar 2 External 5.
Table of Contents: 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... pg. 2 2. Specifications/Features 2.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure .......................................................................... pg. 3 2.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure ........................................................................... pg. 3 3. System Requirements ....................................
1. Introduction: With its NexStar 2 series of enclosures, Vantec literally puts technology in your hands. Whether you’re looking for the ideal portable storage device or simply a convenient way to share hardware (hard drives, DVD burners, etc), the NexStar 2 series of enclosures is the perfect solution. Sleek and stylish, the NexStar 2 External 3.5” Hard Drive Enclosure is a great way to upgrade any internal 3.5” hard drive into an external storage solution.
2. Specifications/Features: 2.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure: Specifications: • Interface: IDE to USB 2.0/FireWire (NST-355UF only) • Dimension: 210 X 135 X 40 mm Features: • Dampens Hard Drive vibration • Transfer Rates Up to 12Mbps With USB 1.1 • Transfer Rates Up to 480Mbps With USB 2.
3. System Requirements: • • • • • • 4 Intel Pentium II 350MHz-compatible or Apple G3 processor and greater Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP or Mac OS 8.6 and greater USB-equipped system For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must support USB 2.
4. Parts Layout: 4.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure: Power Cable Right Vibration Dampener IDE Cable Left Vibration Dampener 4.2. NexStar 2 External 5.
5. Installation: 5.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure: 5.1.1. Hardware Installation: Preparing the hard drive: 1) Set the hard drive jumpers to MASTER or SINGLE DRIVE ONLY. Please refer to the documentation included with your hard drive for information on how to accomplish this. 2) Place the vibration dampener on the hard drive as pictured below and screw it in place. (note: The lip of the vibration dampener is on the bottom of the hard drive.
Installing the hard drive in the NexStar 2: 1) Remove the top cover of the NexStar 2 (the side with the logo and text). 2) Connect the IDE cable and power cable to the hard drive as pictured below. 3) Place the hard drive inside the NexStar 2 so that the vibration dampeners line up with the sides as pictured below. 4) Place the top cover of the NexStar 2 back on as pictured on the right.
Connecting the NexStar 2 to your computer: 1) Connect the appropriate interface cable between the NexStar 2 and your computer a. USB: Connect the type B connector to the NexStar 2 and the type A connector to an available USB 1.1/2.0 port on your system. b. FireWire (NST-355UF only): Connect one end of the FireWire cable to the NexStar 2 and the opposite end to an available FireWire port. 2) Connect the power cable to the NexStar 2 and plug the cable into an available outlet.
Windows 98SE USB (NST-355UF – Combo Drive): 1) If this is the first time you are using the NexStar 2, unplug the NexStar 2 if you currently have it connected. If the [Add New Hardware Wizard] dialog box is open, close it. 2) Insert the driver CD into your CD Rom drive. 3) If the CD does not autoplay, open the drivers CD and run “SETUP.EXE.” 4) Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of the USB drivers for the NexStar 2.
Mac OS 9.0 or later - (NST-355U2, NST-355UF): 1) No drivers are necessary when using Mac OS 9.0 or later. If the hard drive does not appear on the desktop, be sure to partition your hard drive. Note: If you are using Toaster as your CD recorder software in Mac OS 9.0 or 9.2, you must install the USB 2.0 extension driver for Toaster. Please check http://www.roxio.com for more information. Mac OS 8.6 - (NST-355U2, NST-355UF): 1) Unplug the NexStar 2 if you currently have it connected.
5.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure: 5.2.1. Hardware Installation: Preparing the 5.25” device: 1) Set the jumpers on the device to MASTER (if applicable). Please refer to the documentation included with your 5.25” device for information on how to accomplish this. 2) Place the plastic mounting brackets on the 5.25” device as pictured below and screw it in place.
Installing the 5.25” device in the NexStar 2: 1) Remove the top cover of the NexStar 2 (the side with the logo and text). 2) Connect the IDE cable and power cable to the 5.25” device as pictured below. 3) Connect the audio cable to 5.25” device (if applicable). The RED wire should line up with the R on the 5.25” device. The WHITE wire will line up with the L. 4) Place the 5.25” device inside the NexStar 2 so that the mounting brackets with the sides as pictured below. 5) Adjust the placement of the 5.
7) Screw the cover in place (optional) 8) Install the clamp/stand over the screw holes with the rubber feet on the bottom (as pictured below). Note: When removing the 5.25” device from the NexStar 2, be careful not to yank on the IDE cable or the power cable. To remove the IDE cable, grasp the cable between your thumb and index finger and gently pull at the sides until the cable comes loose. To remove the power cable, grasp the sides of the plug and pull.
5.2.2. Driver Installation: Windows ME/XP/2000 - (NST-525U2, NST-525UF): 1) No drivers are necessary when using Windows ME/XP/2000. If the device does not appear under My Computer, you may need to install drivers for the 5.25” device (not NexStar 2). Please refer to the 5.25” device’s instructions on how to install its drivers. Windows 98SE USB (NST-525U2, NST-525UF): 1) If this is the first time you are using the NexStar 2, unplug the NexStar 2 if you currently have it connected.
6) Follow the directions on the installation page. Please note, you will need your Windows 98SE Installation CD when installing the drivers. 7) Repeat the steps listed under “Connecting the NexStar 2 to your computer.” Note: Microsoft has declared that it will extend support for Windows 98 through June 2006. However, some of the information or links on the Windows 98 support page may be outdated. Vantec is not responsible for any information, or lack thereof, on Microsoft’s Windows 98 support page.
6. Disconnecting the NexStar 2: 6.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure: Warning: NEVER remove the NexStar 2 while the hard drive is in use. Doing so may corrupt the data on the hard drive or damage the hard drive, NexStar 2, or computer. Windows 98SE/ME/XP/2000: 1) Make sure all operations using the hard drive within the NexStar 2 has ceased. 2) Close any windows and programs pertaining to the NexStar 2.
6.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure: Warning: NEVER remove the NexStar 2 while the device in the enclosure is in use. Doing so may damage the device in the enclosure, the NexStar 2, or the computer. Windows 98SE/ME/XP/2000: 1) Make sure all operations using the hard drive within the NexStar 2 has ceased. 2) Close any windows and programs pertaining to the NexStar 2. 3) If a CD/DVD drive is installed in the NexStar 2, eject any CD/DVD media in the tray.
7. Creating A New Partition: Note: Most hard drives should come with a CD that includes its installation program. If not, a download should be available on the manufacturers website. The best way to partition a new hard drive is by using the manufacturers program.
Mac OS X 10.x.x: Initializing a Hard Drive: If you are using a new hard drive, you may need to initialize it first. You can initialize your internal hard drive using a program called Drive Setup, which is on the Mac OS CD that came with your computer. 1. Start up your computer from the Mac OS CD. 2. Locate the Utilities folder on the Mac OS CD and double-click it to open the folder. 3. Double-click the Drive Setup icon to open the program. 4. In the list of drives, select the drive you want to initialize.
Mac OS X 10.x.x: Formatting a Hard Drive: 1. Start the Disk Utility tool (under Applications) 2. Select the new hard drive you are trying to install 3. Click on the “Erase” tab 4. Choose a volume format and assign a name to the new drive. 5. Click on Erase. 6. Once complete, your new hard drive should be mounted on your desktop. Note: If the hard drive will not mount on your system, format the drive with a FAT32 or NTFS partition first through a PC system.
8. Troubleshooting/FAQ: 8.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure: Q. What should the jumper settings on my hard drive be set to? A. We recommend the hard drive be set to MASTER. Q. My computer recognizes the NexStar 2, but it does not assign a drive letter to it. A. You are probably using a brand new hard drive. If not, then your computer may not be able to recognize the partition on the hard drive because it is damaged or not a valid format.
Q. Why can’t Windows 98SE read my hard drive? It works with Windows XP/2000. A. Windows 98SE cannot recognize the NTFS file system. If you wish to use the device with Windows XP/2000 and Windows 98SE, you need to format the drive as FAT32. Q. Why can’t I copy files larger than 4GB onto my NexStar 2? A. You have probably formatted the hard drive in the FAT32 file system. FAT32 limits the file sizes to 4GB maximum. The NTFS file system does not have this limitation. Q.
9. Warranty: The NexStar 2 comes with a 1 year limited warranty (90 day parts). If your unit should become defective within that time frame, please go to http://www.vantecusa.com for information on how to receive warranty exchange or repair. Cosmetic defects and missing parts are not covered under this warranty. Please check the contents of the unit to make sure you received all parts. Also, check for any cosmetic flaws.
