FirmTek SeriTek/1V4 User Manual
Store and Share your Digital Creations
SeriTek™/1V4
Four Internal Port Serial ATA PCI-X Host Adapter
User Manual for Power Macintosh
FirmTek, LLC
www.firmtek.com
Copyright
Copyright © 1998-2005 FirmTek, LLC. All rights 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, Incorporated, 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/1V4 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/1V4.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction...................................................................................................1
II. Installing the SeriTek/1V4...........................................................................4
III. Formatting Hard Drives...............................................................................5
IV. Troubleshooting.........................................................................................14
V. Product Support.........................................................................................16
VI. Product Warranty and Disclaimers...........................................................17
VII. Regulatory Compliance Statements.........................................................17
I. Introduction
Welcome
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the SeriTek/1V4 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/1V4 Serial ATA PCI Host Adapter
The SeriTek/1V4 Host Adapter provides an easy and affordable way for Macintosh users to add
inexpensive, high-speed storage. With four internal Serial ATA ports, each offering 1.5Gbits/sec
performance, the SeriTek/1V4 provides the high bandwidth to meet the needs of performancehungry applications. The SeriTek/1V4 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/1V4 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/1V4 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
SeriTek/1V4 SATA host adaptor board
Two 60cm internal data cables
User’s manual on CD-ROM
SeriTek/1V4 Key Features and Benefits
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/1V4 Host Adapter.
This is due to a seldom-used Serial ATA feature called SSC, which is enabled on these hard
drives. The SeriTek/1V4 does not support this feature. Hitachi Serial ATA hard drives introduced
after December, 2004 should be compatible with SeriTek/1V4. 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/1V4 host adapter:
Model 7K400 (400GB) –Part Numbers 0A30984 and 0A30985
Model 7K250 (250GB) – Part Number 0A30340
Model 7K250 (160GB) – Part Number 0A30339
Model 7K250 (120GB) – Part Number 0A30338
Model 7K250 (80GB) – Part Number 0A30337
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.
SeriTek/1V4 Specifications
General System
Hardware
Requirements
Operating Systems
Supported
Bus Types
Internal Connectors
Drive Types
Supported
ATAPI Device
Support
Data Transfer
Rates
Drive Modes
Supported
Advanced Data
Features
Onboard Flash
ROM
Cables Supported
Warranty
Physical
Dimensions
Power
Requirements
Environmental
EMC Compliance
* IDE to Serial ATA converter module required for Parallel ATA and Ultra ATA133/100/66 drives
PCI based Power Macintosh with available PCI
expansion slot
PCI-X 1.0a compliant 64-bit at 133/100/ 66MHz bus
speeds. Backward compatible with standard 32/64bit 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
4-port internal Serial ATA (SATA) interface
connectors support up to 4 internal hard drives
Serial ATA hard drive
Backward compatible with Ultra DMA 133/100/66
hard drives*
Yes*
Up to 150 MBytes/second or 1.5Gbits/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
Dual 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
6/5/43/2/1/0
Allows easy upgrades to the latest firmware
7-pin SATA cable
Two year limited parts & labor
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)
SeriTek/1V4 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
Available hard drive or peripheral power connectors or splitters
Up to four Serial ATA hard drives or peripherals
Parallel ATA hard drives and peripherals with optional Serial ATA to Parallel ATA
converter
Materials Required
Standard medium-sized Phillips screwdriver
II. Installing the SeriTek/1V4
Caution:
Prior to installing the SeriTek/1V4 host adapter and hard drive(s) or peripheral(s), please
make sure your data is backed up.
The SeriTek/1V4 host adapter 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/1V4 host adapter by its bracket or around its edges to avoid
damage to the card by static electricity.
Introduction
This section describes the proper method of installing your SeriTek/1V4.
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 (Power Mac G5) expansion slot where you will install the
SeriTek/1V4 host adapter.
4. Remove the screw and detach the PCI expansion port access cover secured to the
computer case.
5. Remove the SeriTek/1V4 from its protective materials. Make sure to hold the card
around by its bracket or around its edges to avoid touching components which 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/1V4 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.
Loading...