FirmTek SeriTek 1VE4, SeriTek 1eVE4 User Manual

Store and Share your Digital Creations

SeriTek™/1VE4 & SeriTek/1eVE4

Four Port External Serial ATA PCI-X Host Adapter

User Manual for Power Macintosh

FirmTek, LLC
www.firmtek.com

Copyright

Copyright © 1998-2005 FirmTek, LLC. All right s reserved. No part of this manual may be
reproduced, translated by any means, photocopied, or transmitted in any form without the prior
written permission of FirmTek.

Trademarks

FirmTek, UltraTek, AV-Tek, SeriTek names and logotypes are trademarks of FirmTek, LLC.
Apple, Macintosh, Power Macintosh, Mac OS 9.XX, OS X, and the Mac logo are registered
trademarks of Apple Computer, Incorporated. The "Built for OS X" graphic is a registered
trademark of Apple Computer, Incorp orated, and used under license. All other manufacturer
product names mentioned in this manual are for identification purposes only and are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Changes

FirmTek reserves the right to make any changes to product design, specifications, or details
without notice. Actual product photos or screenshots may look different from those provided.

Notice

The material content of this manual is for informational purposes only. It is possible the content
of this manual may contain technical inaccuracies, typographical, or other errors. FirmTek
assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or from the use of this manual that may result from
such errors, including, but not limited to loss of data or profits.

Before installing SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 or any other hardware or software, you are
responsible for backing up data contained on any storage devices. After hardware or software
installation, you are responsible for backing up data on any storage devices at frequent intervals.
FirmTek, LLC is not liable for any loss of data or damage to equipment resulting from the use of
SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction................................................................................... 1

II. Installing the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 ..................................5

III. Connecting and Formatting Hard Drives ........................................... 7

IV. Using SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 Hot -Swap Functionality........19

V. Troubleshooting...........................................................................23

VI. Product Support...........................................................................25

VII. Product Warranty and Disclaimers.................................................25

VIII. Regulatory Compliance Statements ...............................................26

I. Introduction

Welcome

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 Serial ATA
host adapter. This product is yet another innovative solution from the innovative folks at FirmTek.

About This User’s Manual

This User’s Manual was written with the assumption you are familiar with your Power Macintosh
computer, and are comfortable with opening its case. For further information, and to get
acquainted with your computer, please refer to your Power Macintosh User’s Manual.

About Serial ATA Technology

An evolutionary replacement for Parallel ATA, Serial ATA (Advanced Technology Architecture) is
an interface that allows you to add hard drives and peripherals to your Macintosh. Serial ATA
offers insulated cables that are thinner and longer with smaller 7-pin connectors which results in
easier installation and improved airflow, compared to wider and shorter Parallel ATA cables.
Improved airflow translates into a cooler operating environment for your Power Macintosh.

About the SeriTek/1VE4, & SeriTek/1eVE4 Serial ATA PCI Host Adapters

The SeriTek/1VE4, & SeriTek/1eVE4 Host Adapters provide an easy and affordable way for
Macintosh users to add inexpensive, high-speed storage. With four external Serial ATA ports,
each offering 1.5Gbits/sec performance, the SeriTek/1VE4, & SeriTek/1eVE4 provide the high
bandwidth to meet the needs of performance-hungry applications. The SeriTek/1VE4, &
SeriTek/1eVE4 is PCI-X compatible, permitting Power Mac G5 users to take advantage of the
latest extended PCI technology while maintaining backward compatibility with older Power
Macintosh systems.

About PCI-X Technology

PCI-X (Peripheral Component Interconnect Extended) is a new PCI bus technology that
increases the speed data can move within the Power Mac G5 from 66 MHz to 133MHz. With
PCI-X, the amount of data exchanged between the CPU and expansion cards is increased from
532MB/sec to 1.06GB/sec. PCI-X is also backward-compatible, which allows users to install a
PCI-X card such as the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapter into a standard PCI slot,
allowing the card to match the speed and performance characteristics of the slot it was inserted
into.

With four 1.5Gb/sec Serial ATA ports, the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapter
maximizes the use of the PCI bus in older Power Macintosh computers, allowing the PCI bus to
run at its fullest potential.

Package Contents

• One SeriTek/1VE4, or One SeriTek/1eVE4 SATA host adapter board

• User’s manual on CD-ROM

-1-

SeriTek/1VE4 - SeriTek/1eVE4 Key Features and Benefits

• Four external ports with exclusive hot -swap capability

• Plug-and-Play ease of use

• Completely self -contained booting functionality, no driver installation necessary

• Boosts overall system performance with per-port data transfer rates of up to 150MBytes/sec or

1.5Gbits/sec

• Supports Power Mac G5 PCI -X (Peripheral Component Interconnect Extended) bus

• Compatible with all PCI -based Power PC Macintosh computers

• Supports Mac OS 9, and OS X version 10.1.5 or later

• Provides performance and protection: Supports native OS X RAID 0/1; OS 9 RAID with 3rd party

software

• User-upgradeable firmware

• 48-bit LBA support for drive sizes larger than 137GB

• Perfect for upgrading and expanding legacy and G5 Macintosh computers

• PCI-X 1.0a compliant 64-bit at 133/100/ 66MHz bus speeds

• Backward compatible with standard 32/64-bit PCI at 33MHz and 66MHz bus speeds

• Direct Port Access: Enhanced performance by allowing data transfer to all four drives simultaneously

• Bus master operation enhances multitasking during disk transfers and increases CPU efficiency: The

CPU is free to handle other tasks during data transfers between the PCI Bus and system memory

• Data protection: Supports OS X RAID, OS 9 Software RAID (third party software), and other storage
utilities

• Reduced setting on storage devices (no master/slave) means easier installation and replacement

• Ideal for a variety of Power Macintosh applications: Desktop publishing, Audio/Video storage and

editing, photo/graphics storage and editing, servers, and gaming.

Serial ATA Hard Drive Compatibility

Note: Early Hitachi Serial ATA hard drives are incompatible with the SeriTek/1VE4, or
SeriTek/1eVE4 Host Adapters. This is due to a seldom -used Serial ATA feature called SSC,
which is enabled on these hard drives. The SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 do not support this
feature. Newer model Hitachi Serial ATA hard drives should be compatible with SeriTek/1VE4, or
SeriTek/1eVE4. Check FirmTek’s website at www.firmtek.com for the latest compatibility
information.

At the time this manual was written, the following Hitachi Deskstar hard drives have the SSC
feature disabled, and are compatible with the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapters:

Model 7K500 (500GB) - Part Number HDS725050KLA360
Model 7K400 (400GB) – Part Numbers 0A30984 and 0A30985, HDS 724040KLSA80
Model 7K250 (250GB) – Part Number 0A30340
Model T7K250 (250GB) - Part Number HDT722525DLA380
Model 7K250 (160GB) – Part Number 0A30339
Model T7K250 (160GB) - Part Number HDT722516DLA380
Model 7K250 (120GB) – Part Number 0A30338
Model 7K250 (80GB) – Part Number 0A30337
Model 7K80 (80GB) - Part Number HDS728080PLA380
Model 7K80 (40GB) - Part Number HDS728040PLA320

Other Serial ATA hard drives from manufacturers such as Maxtor, Seagate, and Western Digital
do not have this feature enabled by default and are therefore compatible.

-2-

SeriTek/1VE4, & SeriTek/1eVE4 Specifications

General System
Hardware
Requirements

Operating Systems
Supported

Bus Types

External
Connectors

• PCI based Power Macintosh with available PCI
expansion slot

• PCI -X 1.0a compliant 64-bit at 133/100/ 66MHz bus
speeds. Backw ard compatible with standard 32/64 ­bit PCI at 33MHz and 66MHz bus speeds.

• Mac OS 9.xx

• Mac OS X version 10.1.5 or later (works best with

10.2 or later)

• 32/64 bit, 33/66MHz PCI

• 133/100/66MHz PCI-X

• Compliant with PCI bus version 2.2

• Compliant with PCI-X bus version 1.0a

• SeriTek/1VE4: 4-port external Serial ATA (SATA)

shielded interface connectors with “L shaped” key

• SeriTek/1eVE4: 4-port external Serial ATA (SATA)
shielded interface eSATA connectors

Drive Types
Supported

Data Transfer
Rates

Drive Modes
Supported

Advanced Data
Features

Onboard Flash
ROM

Cables Supported

Warranty • Two year limited parts & labor
Physical

Dimensions
Power

Requirements

Environmental

EMC Compliance

* IDE to Serial ATA converter module required for Parallel ATA and Ultra ATA133/100/66 drives

• Serial ATA hard drive

• Backward compatible with Ultra DMA 133/100/66

hard drives*

• Up to 300 MBytes/second or 3.0Gbits/second burst
data transfer rate

• Serial ATA

• UltraDMA modes 6/5/4/3/2/1/0

• Fully compliant with Serial ATA 1.0a specification

• Bus Mastering off-loads data I/O handling from CPU

• Complete 32-bit CRC error checking, for all bits

transmitted (command, data, and status), offers
enhanced data protection for high-speed Serial ATA
drives

• Four independent data channels allows for separate
device timings

• Automatically identifies and configures drive types*

• Automatically detects and supports devices utilizing

many transfer modes including UltraDMA
6/5/4/3/2/1/0

• Allows easy upgrades to the latest firmware

• SeriTek/1VE4: 7-pin external Serial ATA (SATA)

shielded cables with “L shaped ” key on Host Adapter.

• SeriTek/1eVE4: 7-pin external Serial ATA (SATA)
shielded cables eSATA.

• 163mm(L) x 1.6mm(W) x 64.4mm(H) (not including
bracket)

• 5V ± 5%

• Temperature:

Operating: +5°C to +55°C
Non-Operating: -25°C to +70°C

• Relative humidity:

Operating: 20% to 80%
Non-Operating: 15% to 90%

• EN55022/1998, EN55024/1998 (European
Community)

• FCC Part 15 Class B (US)

-3-

SeriTek/1VE4, & SeriTek/1eVE4 System Requirements
Operating System

• Macintosh OS 9.XX

• Macintosh OS X version 10. 1.5 or later

Hardware Requirements

• Power Macintosh with available PCI or PCI-X expansion slot

• External powered enclosure equipped with Serial ATA hard drive(s) or Parallel ATA hard

drive(s) (Parallel ATA hard drives require compatible Serial ATA to Parallel ATA
converters contained within the enclosure)

Materials Required

• Standard medium -sized Phillips screwdriver

-4-

II. Installing the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4

Caution:

Prior to installing the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapter and hard drive(s) or
peripheral(s), please make sure your data is backed up.

The SeriTek/1VE4, & SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapters and your Macintosh contain sensitive
components that can be permanently damaged by Static Electric Discharge. Be sure you’re
working in an area free of static electricity to prevent them from being damaged. Use a wrist
grounding strap if you have one or regularly touch a metal part of the computer chassis such
as the power supply case or a port access cover to discharge any built-up static electricity
from your body. Make sure to handle the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapter by
its bracket or around its edges (away from components & edge connector) to avoid damage
to the card by static electricity.

Introduction

This section describes the proper method of installing your SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4.

SeriTek PCI Host Adapter Installation:

1. Properly shut down your Macintosh and disconnect the AC power cord.

2. Depending on the model of your Macintosh, open the side panel or top cover. On some
models, you may need to open an additional metal or plastic cover to access the PCI
slots. Please refer to your Macintosh user’s manual for more information about gaining
access to PCI slots and hard drive or peripheral bays.

3. Choose an empty PCI or PCI-X expansion slot where you will install the SeriTek/1VE4, or
SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapter.

NOTE: For maximum performance in a Power Mac G5 with PCI-X slots, use slot 4, the
top slot . Slot 4 is a 133 MHZ PCI-X slot; the other slots in the G5 are 100 MHZ.

4. Remove the screw and detach the PCI expansion port access cover secured to the
computer case.

5. Remove the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 from its protective materials. Make sure to
hold the card by its metal bracket or around the card’s edges ; avoid touching electronic
components & the edge connector, or the card might be damaged by static electricity.

6. Position the PCI card bracket by facing it towards the rear of the computer. Align the
gold connectors of the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 over the PCI slot and gently
press it into the slot until the card is firmly seated. If the card is properly seated, the
upper ear of the PCI card bracket should line up with the screw mounting location.

7. Using the same screw that was removed earlier; secure the card to the Power Macintosh
computer case (see Figure 1).

-5-

Caution: The SeriTek/1VE4, & SeriTek/1eVE4 support external cables that may be

plugged in to one of its four external connectors . If the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4
is not properly secured when a cable is ins erted into one of the card’s connectors it may
become loose from the PCI slot and damage the computer.

Figure 1: Inserting and securing the SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4

8. Close your Power Macintosh computer case and re-attach the AC power cord.

Ready for Use

Your SeriTek/1VE4, or SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapter is now installed. The SeriTek/1VE4, or
SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapter features fully self-contained Macintosh booting functionality and
will be recognized by your Macintosh computer when you power it on.

Note: Refer to section III Connecting and Formatting Hard Drives below before connecting SATA
cables to you SeriTek/1VE4 or SeriTek/1eVE4 host adapter as this section describes important
differences in Serial ATA connectors.

-6-