Acomdata M-E5 User Manual

external

hard drives

User’s Guide

E5

Hi-Performance Hard Drives

Hi-Performance Hard Drives with PushButton™ Backup

IMPORTANT

1) Retain the bill of sale from the purchase of your AcomData
product. A copy of the bill of sale is needed in the event
that you require warranty service.

2) Please write the Model and Serial numbers of your
AcomData product in the spaces provided below.

(The Model and Serial numbers are printed on the UPC label
affixed to the bottom of the box. They are also printed on the label
affixed to the underside of the Drive’s stand.)

You will need the Model and Serial numbers when you
register your AcomData product, and in the event that the
product requires service. (See “Obtaining Service for Your
AcomData Product” for more information.)

Product Name: AcomData E5 External Hard Drive

Model Number: ____________________________

Serial Number: _____________________________

Date of Purchase:____________________________

Name of Reseller:____________________________

Contents

Important ............................................................................ 1

AcomData Contact Information ........................................ 4

Welcome! ............................................................................. 5

Product Registration for Warranty Coverage ................... 7

Online Registration ......................................................................................... 7

Mail-in Registration ......................................................................................... 7

Precautions ......................................................................... 8

Package Contents ............................................................... 9

System Requirements for PC ........................................... 10

System Requirements for Mac ......................................... 11

AcomData E5 Drives at a Glance (Front View) ................ 12

AcomData E5 Drives at a Glance (Back Panel) ................ 13

AcomData E5 Features Explored .....................................14

FireWire (FireWire-equipped Drives only) ............................................14

Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (USB 2.0-equipped Drives only) ............................ 16

Mac & PC Ready .............................................................................................17

Hot-Pluggable ................................................................................................17

Fanless Design ................................................................................................18

Technical Specifications ................................................... 19

Setting up the Drive ......................................................... 21

Choosing an Orientation (Vertical or Horizontal) ..............................21

Vertical Placement ........................................................................................22

Horizontal Placement ..................................................................................23

Removing the stand .....................................................................................23

Affixing the rubber feet to the Drive case ............................................23

Connecting the Drive to Your Computer ......................... 24

USB Users: .........................................................................................................24

Mounting a FireWire-Connected Drive ........................... 26

Mac Users: ........................................................................................................26

Windows 2000/XP Users: ............................................................................26

Windows 98SE and Me Users: ...................................................................27

Mounting a USB-Connected Drive .................................. 28

Mac Users: ........................................................................................................28

Windows 2000/XP Users: ............................................................................28

Windows Me Users: .......................................................................................28

Windows 98SE Users with PushButton Drives: ...................................28

Windows 98SE Users with non-PushButton Drives: ..........................32

Naming Your Drive ............................................................ 33

Mac Users: ........................................................................................................33

PC Users: ...........................................................................................................33

Re-Formatting the Drive .................................................. 34

Formatting the Drive in Windows 2000 or XP .....................................36

Formatting the Drive in Windows 98SE or Me ....................................37

Formatting the Drive in Mac OS X ...........................................................38

Formatting the Drive in Mac OS 9 ...........................................................39

Using Your Drive for Routine Tasks ................................. 40

How to Safely Dismount & Turn Off the Drive ................ 41

PC Users ............................................................................................................41

Mac Users .........................................................................................................41

Stacking Drives ................................................................. 42

Maintaining Your Drive & Safeguarding Your Data ....... 43

Backup Your Data ..........................................................................................43

Defragmenting and Optimizing a Hard Drive .....................................43

Examining and Repairing a Hard Drive .................................................44

Protect Your Data from Viruses .................................................................45

Cleaning the Drive Case ..............................................................................45

Frequently Asked Questions ........................................... 46

Troubleshooting ...............................................................50

Troubleshooting for PC Users ...................................................................50

Troubleshooting for Mac users .................................................................52

Glossary .............................................................................55

One Year Limited Warranty .............................................. 57

Obtaining Service for Your AcomData Product .............. 58

How to Purchase Accessories ........................................... 59

Notices ...............................................................................60

AcomData

Welcome!

Contact Information

Address:

3410 Pomona Blvd.

Pomona, CA 91768

Telephone:

[phone]

Fax:

[phone]

Web Site:

www.acomdata.com

Customer Service:

[e-mail]

Technical Support:

[e-mail]

Pre-Sales Questions:

[e-mail]

Welcome, and thank you
for choosing an AcomData
E5 External Hard Drive. Your
AcomData E5 Drive features high­quality construction, advanced
engineering, and state-of-the-art data
storage technology, designed to provide
years of reliable performance.

The information in this guide pertains to the following
AcomData E5 Drive models:

Description Model#

Drives with PushButton Backup

• USB 2.0 ........................................................... HDxxxUPE5-72

• USB 2.0 & FireWire 400 (Combo A) ................ HDxxxUFAPE5-72

• USB 2.0 & FireWire 800/400 (Combo B) ......... HDxxxUFBPE5-72

Drives without PushButton Backup

• USB 2.0 ........................................................... HDxxxUE5-72

• FireWire .......................................................... HDxxxFE5-72

The “xxx” in the model numbers refers to capacity. For exam­ple, a 250 GB FireWire Drive has model #: HD250FE5-72.

The model number of your Drive is printed on the UPC label
affixed to the bottom of the box, and on the label affixed to
the underside of the Drive’s stand.

This guide contains important information for the proper
installation, use, and care of your AcomData Drive. Please
read this guide carefully and retain it for future reference.

– 5 –

If you have a Drive with PushButton Backup…

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Please follow the instructions in this guide first. Then refer
to the PushButton Backup User’s Guide for information on
setting up and using PushButton Backup.

Symbols used in this guide:

Product Registration for Warranty Coverage

Registration is required in the event that your product needs
servicing. (See “Obtaining Service for Your AcomData Product”
for details.)

THIS SYMBOL ALERTS THE READER TO

A WARNING OR TO SOME VERY IMPOR-
TANT INFORMATION.

THIS SYMBOL ALERTS THE READER TO

HELPFUL TIPS AND OTHER INFORMATION
THAT MAY BE USEFUL.

THE WINDOWS LOGO ALERTS THE

READER TO IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SPECIFIC TO WINDOWS USERS.

THE APPLE LOGO ALERTS THE READER

TO IMPORTANT INFORMATION SPECIFIC
TO MAC USERS.

THE USB 2.0 LOGO ALERTS THE

READER TO IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SPECIFIC TO USB 2.0 USERS.

THE FIREWIRE LOGO ALERTS THE

READER TO IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SPECIFIC TO FIREWIRE USERS.

A word about using two-button mice

When following the instructions in this guide, PC users will
need to use both the left and right mouse buttons. While
some users may reverse the functions of the buttons, in this
guide “click” means pressing the left-side button; “right-click”
means pressing the right-side button.

Although Mac OS X supports two-button mice, this guide
assumes all Mac users are using a conventional, one-button
mouse.

Online Registration

You can register 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. You get your own personalized support page:

• download software updates

• access all online support services

• view all of your registered AcomData products

• manage your personal profile;

4. If you need warranty service, arranging product returns is

faster and easier if you registered online.

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 of these are printed on
the UPC label affixed to the bottom of the box, and on the label
affixed to the underside of the Drive’s stand.

– 6 – – 7 –

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Precautions

Failure to follow the precautions below may result in damage to
the device, loss of data, and voiding of the warranty.

• If using your AcomData product as a general-purpose
storage device (as opposed to a backup device) AcomData
strongly recommends 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 open the device or attempt to disassemble or modify
it. If the device is malfunctioning, contact AcomData
Technical Support via the Customer Support page at www.
acomdata.com or call [phone] (Pacific Time) during
regular business hours.

• Do not expose the device to rain or use it in damp or wet
conditions.

• Never place containers of liquids on the device. This can
damage the device and increase the risk of electric shock,
short-circuiting, fire, or personal injury.

• Make sure that the computer and the device are electrically
grounded. (If the device has a three-prong plug, never
plug the device into a two-prong outlet.)

• Do not expose the device to temperatures outside the
range of 5° C to 55° C (41° F to 131° F).

• Do not use a third-party AC adapter/power cord.

• Do not bump, jar or drop the device.

• Do not try to stand the device in a way not described in
this guide.

• Do not disconnect any cables, while the device is powered
on, without first dismounting the device.

Package Contents

6-pin to 6-pin

AcomData E5

Drive & Stand

9-pin to 9-pin

FireWire cable

(Combo B models only)

PushButton Backup

User’s Guide

(PushButton models only)

If you are missing any item listed above, please contact
Customer Service at [e-mail], or call
800-470-4495.

USB cable

(USB 2.0-equipped

models only)

Software CD User’s Guide

Mail-In

Registration Card Rubber Feet

FireWire cable

(FireWire and Combo

models only)

– 8 – – 9 –

System Requirements for PC

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System Requirements for Mac

• Minimum 233 MHz processor

• Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP

• Available data port:

- USB 2.0 users: USB port

- FireWire 400 users: 6-pin FireWire port

- FireWire 800 users: 9-pin FireWire port

• PushButton Backup requires 128 MB of RAM

Windows XP/USB 2.0 users:

You must have Windows XP Service Pack 1 or later or the
Drive will operate at USB 1.x speeds. Go to www.microsoft.
com and click on the Windows Update link.

Windows 2000 users:

In order to use the USB 2.0 or the FireWire connection, you
must have Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or later. Go to
www.microsoft.com and click on the Windows Update link.

Windows Me/USB 2.0 users:

You may need to update your Windows Me. We strongly
recommend getting the latest updates: go to www.micro­soft.com and click on the Windows Update link.

Windows 98SE users:

• In order to use the USB 2.0 connection you must install the
USB 2.0 driver included on the supplied Software CD. (See
“Mounting a USB-Connected Drive” for instructions.)

• In order to use the FireWire connection, you need
Windows 98 Second Edition 1394 Storage Supplement.
You can download it at http://www.microsoft.com/win­dows98/downloads/default.asp.

(Pentium, Celeron, AMD, etc.)

• Power Macintosh (G5, G4, G3, iBook, PowerBook or iMac)

• Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X

• Available data port:

- USB 2.0 users: USB port

- FireWire 400 users: 6-pin FireWire port

- FireWire 800 users: 9-pin FireWire port

• PushButton Backup:

- Mac OS x v.10.2 or later

- 128 MB of RAM

Mac OS 9 Users:

• Mac OS 9 does not support USB 2.0. If using the USB 2.0
interface on Mac OS 9, the Drive will operate at USB 1.x
speeds.

• For FireWire connectivity, Mac OS 9 requires FireWire soft­ware version 2.7 or later from Apple. If you have Mac OS

9.1 or later you already have FireWire 2.7 or later. Mac OS 9
updates are available at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.
html?artnum=75288.

USB 1.x compatibility:

This device is backward compatible with USB 1.x. However, if
you connect this device to a USB 1.x port, it will operate at
USB 1.x speeds (up to 12 Mbps).

FireWire users with laptops:

If your laptop has a 4-pin FireWire port, you will need a
FireWire cable with a 4-pin connector at one end. See “How
to Purchase Accessories.”

– 10 – – 11 –

AcomData E5 Drives

AcomData E5 Drives at a Glance

at a Glance (Front View)

PushButton Drives

PushButton

Lights up blue when the Drive is pow­ered on. Flashes red when reading or
writing data. Press to run a PushButton
Backup (Requires installation of the
PushButton Backup software. See the
PushButton Backup User’s Guide for
details.)

Zinc Alloy Stand

Can be removed for horizontal place­ment or stacking of Drives.

Non-PushButton Drives

Power-Data Light

Lights up blue when
the Drive is powered on. Flashes red
when reading or writing data.

Actual layout may not be exactly as shown.

USB 2.0 Drives

Power Switch

USB 2.0 Port

Power Port

Combo A Drives

Power Switch

USB 2.0 Port

FireWire 400 Ports

(Back Panel)

FireWire Drives

Power Switch

FireWire 400 Ports

Power Port

Combo B Drives

USB 2.0 Port

FireWire 400 Port

FireWire 800 Ports

Zinc Alloy Stand

Can be removed for horizontal place­ment or stacking of Drives.

Power Port

– 12 – – 13 –

Power Switch

Power Port

AcomData E5 Features Explored

If you have a PushButton Drive, refer to the PushButton
Backup User’s Guide for a description of PushButton Backup.

FireWire (FireWire-equipped Drives only)

FireWire is a serial data input/output technology developed
by Apple Computer and Texas Instruments. The first FireWire
standard was approved by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) in 1995.

Data transfers at up to 800 Mbps (100 MB/s)

FireWire 400 can transmit data at up to 400 Mbps (50 MB/s).
FireWire 800 can transmit data at up to 800 Mbps (100 MB/s).
FireWire supports both isochronous and asynchronous data
transfers. Isochronous mode provides guaranteed transmis­sion of data at defined intervals; it’s used when delayed
or out-of-order data frames are unacceptable, such as for
capturing digital video. In asynchronous mode the intervals
between transmissions can vary, and data can be resent if
missed. Asynchronous mode is typically used for routine data
transfers.

Supports up to 63 devices

FireWire devices can be linked in a daisy-chain, where the
devices are connected to each other in series. A hub is only
required when a very large number of devices will share the
same FireWire bus. With the use of FireWire hubs, up to 63
devices can be linked on a single FireWire bus.

Peer-to-peer architecture

FireWire devices are host-independent, meaning data
transmissions between FireWire devices on the same bus
can take place without the need for input from the host
computer. This lack of dependence on the host is one of the
reasons FireWire devices are on average faster than USB 2.0
devices in routine day-to-day use, even though the rated
maximum data transfer is lower than that for USB 2.0.

Cable length up to 4.5 m

Standard FireWire 400 cables use 6-pin connectors at both
ends. FireWire 800 cables use 9-pin connectors. Cables with
4-pin connectors are also available for connecting FireWire
devices to laptop/notebook computers and other devices
that have 4-pin ports.

On-bus power up to 45 watts

FireWire can supply up to 45 W of electrical power, making it
possible to use many low-power-consumption devices with­out a dedicated electrical connection. (FireWire cables with
4-pin connectors cannot transmit electrical power.) When
a device is powered via FireWire, power is delivered only
when actually needed.

Plug & Play

You do not need to install drivers, assign unique ID numbers,
or connect terminators.

Hot Pluggable

FireWire devices can be connected to or disconnected from
the computer while the computer is running. Always dis­mount a hard drive before turning off and disconnecting it.

– 14 – – 15 –

Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (USB 2.0-equipped Drives only)

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an interface technology for the
serial transmission of digital data. The original standard
(USB 1) could transmit data at speeds of up to 12 Mbps.
USB 2.0 has a maximum throughput of 480 Mbps (60
Megabytes/s) –– that’s up to 40 times faster than USB 1. USB
is a host-dependent technology, meaning USB devices need
the computer to facilitate and manage communications
between devices.

Plug & Play

You do not need to assign ID numbers, or connect termina­tors. On most operating system you do not need to install
drivers. Your AcomData E5 Drive comes with USB 2.0 driver
software for Windows 98SE users.

Hot-Pluggable

Devices can be added/removed while the computer is run­ning. Always dismount a hard drive before turning if off/dis­connecting it.

Data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps

480 Mbps is equivalent to 60 Megabytes per second. Put
another way, it is possible to transfer a full gigabyte of data
in just under 18 seconds. However, 480 Mbps is the maxi­mum speed; data transfer rates will vary depending on a
number of factors, including available CPU resources.

Supports up to 127 devices

Connecting more than one or two USB devices to a computer
typically requires the use of one or more USB-equipped
hubs; a hub can typically accommodate several USB devices.

Master-slave architecture

The computer (the master) dictates data flow to, from, and
between attached USB devices (the slaves).

Cable length up to 5 m

On-bus power up to 2.5 W

USB can supply up to 2.5 W of electrical power, making it
possible to use many low-power-consumption devices with­out a dedicated electrical connection.

Mac & PC Ready

Your AcomData E5 Drive is ready to use on either a Mac or
a PC right out of the box––no formatting is required. The
Drive was formatted at the factory using the FAT32 file sys­tem, which makes the Drive compatible with all supported
operating systems. That said, you may want to consider
re-formatting the Drive using one of the other file systems
that may be available with your operating system. For more
information and formatting instructions, see “Re-Formatting
the Drive.”

Hot-Pluggable

You can connect or disconnect the AcomData Drive while
your computer is running. This makes portability much
easier and saves you the time and hassle of shutting down
and restarting your comp
on and off while your computer is running. Let’s say you use
your AcomData Drive solely for data backups––so the Drive
only needs to run a few minutes every day––but your com­puter is on all day. If the Drive was not hot-pluggable, you

uter.

You can also turn the Drive

– 16 – – 17 –