QUAD INTERFACE USER’S MANUAL
Package Contents: NexStar 3 3.5” SATA to USB/ eSATA/ 1394a/ 1394b External Hard Drive Enclosure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3.5" HDD Enclosure Power Adapter eSATA Cable SATA to eSATA Bracket USB Cable 1394b Cable 1394b to 1394a Converter Cable Enclosure Stand User’s Manual Installation Screws 1 SATA 2 SATA 4 3 6 5 8 7 9 10 EXTERNAL 3.5” HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE USB 2.
Table of Contents: 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................02 2. Specifications/Features NexStar 3 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure ......................................................................... 03 3. System Requirements ......................................................................................04 4. Parts Layout NexStar 3 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure .....................................................
1. Introduction: Form and functionality collide with style in the NexStar 3 External Hard Drive Enclosure from Vantec. With its mirror finish, sleek curves and bold colors, the Vantec NexStar 3 stands out from the crowd. The sturdy drive cage protects your hard drive while the aluminum case effectively draws away the heat, protecting your drive from overheating. With its quad external interface design: USB 2.0, FireWire 400(1394a), FireWire 800(1394b) and eSATA, it will meet all your connection needs.
2. Specifications/Features: NexStar 3 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure: Features: • Aluminum Casing Cools Down Your Hard Drive • Transfer Rates Up to 3Gbps W/ eSATA • Transfer Rates Up to 480Mbps W/ USB 2.0 (12Mbps W/ USB1.
3. System Requirements: Intel Pentium II 350 MHz-compatible Mac G3 processor & greater(G4 for 1394b) Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista Mac OS 10.2 & greater 1. USB port, internal SATA port, eSATA 1. USB port, internal SATA port, eSATA port, FireWire 400(1394a) port, or port, FireWire 400(1394a) port, or Fire Wire 800 (1394b) port. Fire Wire 800 (1394b) port. 2. For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must 2. For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must support USB 2.0 specifications support USB 2.
4. Parts Layout: NexStar 3 External 3.
5. Installation: NexStar 3 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure: 5.1. 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. Preparing the NexStar 3: (1) Remove the side of the NexStar 3 with the power and USB connection ports. If it has previously been screwed in place, remove the screws first. (2) Carefully slide out the side approximately 3 inches.
Installing the hard drive in the NexStar 3: (1) Connect the SATA connector and power cable to the hard drive as pictured below. ( pic 5.1-B ) ( pic 5.1-B ) (2) Align the hard drive mounting holes with the holes on the back of the drive caddy. ( pic 5.1-C ) ( pic 5.1-C ) (3) Secure the hard drive onto the drive caddy with the screws provided. (4) Insert the drive caddy back into the aluminum housing. Be sure to reconnect the LED cable before closing the unit.
Connecting the NexStar 3 to your computer: NOTE : (1) Connect the type (B) USB connector to the NexStar3 and the type (A) USB connector to an available For new hard drives, you will need to initialize USB 1.1/2.0 port on your system. and partition your hard drive before it will appear in Windows Explorer or on your Mac desktop.
5.2 System Set Up Some tips before connecting your NOTE : external storage enclosure : • Please confirm that your system supports SATA. If you can see the USB icon in the system tray , • If your system does not support SATA, please but there is no any disk appear in your computer, please confirm your hard disk is partitioned. install a SATA host card. • To enable auto mount for SATA, your system must support Plug and Play. WARNING : • If required, update your OS or BIOS.
5.4 eSATA Mode Use in Vista X86、Vista 64 bit、Windows XP、 NOTE : Windows 2000 and MAC OS No driver is required for Vista X86, Vista 64-bit, Because some motherboard does not support Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Mac OS 10.2 eSATA hot-plug and play function, if you meet this or higher. NexStar 3 does not support Windows 98, situation, please follow below steps to setup NexStar 3. Windows ME and Mac OS 10.1 or older in eSATA 1. Shut down your computer. mode. 2.
6. Disconnecting the NexStar 3: NexStar 3 External3.5" HDD Enclosure: Windows 2000/ XP/Vista: MacOS: (1) Make sure all operations using the hard (1) Make sure all operations using the hard drive within the NexStar 3 has ceased. drive with in the NexStar 3 has ceased. (2) Close any windows and programs (2) Close any windows and programs pertaining to the NexStar 3 . pertaining to the NexStar 3.
7. Creating A New Partition: FOR Windows 2000/XP/ Vista : users NOTE : (1) Right click on "My Computer" and choose "Manage". ( pic 7-A ) Most hard drives should come with a CD that includes on installation program. If not, a download should be available on the manufcturers website. The best way to partition a new hard drive is by using the manufacturers program.
(6) Follow the directions of the wizard. The recommended partition type is "primary" 1 and the recommended ( pic 7-C ) VANTEC file system is "NTFS." Please note that Windows 2000/XP/Vista limits FAT32 partitions to only 32GB. 2 (7) Windows Disk Management will format and parti-tion the disk according to your settings, and your drive will appear 3 in My Computer, ready to use. ( pic 7-D ) ( pic 7-C ) (8) Once complete,you should now be able to see the drive in Windows Explorer.
Formatting for Mac Users 1. Connect the drive to the computer and turn on the drive. NOTE : 2. Select Utilities from the Go menu in the Finder menu bar. 3. In the Utilities folder, double-click Disk Utility. If the hard drive will not mount on your system, 4. The Disk Utility window will open. Select the volume format the drive with a FAT32 or NTFS partition labeled Vantec Desktop Hard Disk from the list of first through a PC system.
8. Troubleshooting / FAQ : About the Hard Disk： A: Please make sure the HDD has been initialized and 1. I can only find the USB icon in the system tray, but can’t find the hard disk in partitioned before hardware installation. Please refer “MY COMPUTER” after hardware installation ? to section 7. Creating A New Partition. 2. Does the NexStar 3 have any compatibility A: NexStar 3 might have compatibility issues with issue with any 3.5 inches SATA HDD ? few older 3.
About the USB Disk Function： 1. Does the NexStar 3 support USB bus-power ? A: No. It doesn’t support USB bus-power, the external power supply is mandatory. Using the supplied external power adapter is recommened. About the eSATA Function : 2. Why I can not find the disk in my computer A: 1. Please make sure that the firmware is after plug in eSATA cable ? the latest version. 2. Please make sure that your motherboard supports the hot swapping of eSATA. About the WINDOWS OS： 3.
9. Warranty: The NexStar 3 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.
