FirmTek SeriTek 1VE2+2 User Manual

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SeriTek™/1VE2+2

2-Port External, 2-Port Internal 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/1VE2+2 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/1VE2+2.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

II. Installing the SeriTek/1VE2+2.....................................................................5

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

IV. Using SeriTek/1VE2+2 Hot-Swap Functionality.....................................18

V. Troubleshooting................................ ................................ .........................22

VI. Product Support........................................................................................24

VII. Product Warranty and Disclaimers..........................................................24

VIII. Regulatory Compliance Statements........................................................25

I. Introduction

Welcome

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the SeriTek/1VE2+2 Serial ATA host adapter. This
product is yet another innovative solution from the innovative folks at FirmTek.

About This User Manual

This User 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 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/1VE2+2 Serial ATA PCI Host Adapter

The SeriTek/1VE2+2 Host Adapter provides an easy and affordable way for Macintosh users to
add inexpensive, high-speed storage. With two external Serial ATA ports, and two internal Serial
ATA ports, each offering 1.5Gbits/sec performance, the SeriTek/1VE2+2 provides the high
bandwidth to meet the needs of performance-hungry applications. The SeriTek/1VE2+2 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/1VE2+2 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/1VE2+2 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/1VE2+2 SATA host adapter board

• Two 60cm internal data cables

• User Manual on CD-ROM

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SeriTek/1VE2+2 Key Features and Benefits

• Two external shielded Serial ATA ports with exclusive hot-swap capability

• Two internal Serial ATA ports

• 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 applicati ons: 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/ 1VE2+2 Host
Adapter. This is due to a seldom-used Serial ATA feature called SSC, which is enabled on these
hard drives. The SeriTek/1VE2+2 does not support this feature. Newer model Hitachi Serial ATA
hard drives should be compatible with SeriTek/ 1VE2+2. 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/1VE2+2 host adapter:

Model 7K500 (500GB) - Part Number HDS725050KLA360
Model 7K400 (400GB) – Part Numbers 0A30984 and 0A30985
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.

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SeriTek/1VE2+2 Specifications

General System
Hardware
Requirements

Operating Systems
Supported

Bus Types

External
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

• 2 shielded external, 2 internal Serial ATA (SATA)

interface connectors support up to 2 external hard
drives and 2 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

• 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

• 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)

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SeriTek/1VE2+2 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

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II. Installing the SeriTek/1VE2+2

Caution:

Prior to installing the SeriTek/1VE2+2 host adapter and hard drive(s) or peripheral(s),
please make sure your data is backed up.

The SeriTek/1VE2+2 host adapter and your Macintosh contain sensitive components that can
be permanently damaged by Static Electric Discharge. Be sure you are 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/1VE2+2 host adapter by its bracket or around its edges to
avoid damage by static electricity.

Introduction

This section describes the proper method of installing your SeriTek/1VE2+2.

SeriTek PCI Host Adapter Installation:

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

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 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/1VE2+2 host adapter.

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

5. Remove the SeriTek/1VE2+2 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/1VE2+2 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).

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Caution: The SeriTek/1VE2+2 supports external cables that may be plugged in to one

of its two external receptacles. If the SeriTek/1VE2+2 is not properly secured when a
cable is inserted into one of the receptacles, it may become loose from the PCI slot and
damage the computer.

Figure 1: Inserting and securing the SeriTek/ 1VE2+2

Internal Cable Installation

8. If the Serial ATA hard drive or peripheral uses a newer 15-pin power receptacle and your

system provides 15-pin power feeds: Attach the 15-pin power feed directly to the drive’s
15-pin power receptacle.

9. If the Serial ATA hard drive or peripheral uses a newer 15-pin power receptacle and your

system does not provide 15-pin power feeds: Attach the 15-pin end of the 4- to 15-pin
power adapter provided by your hard drive or peripheral vendor to the drive’s 15-pin
power receptacle, and the 4-pin end to an available system power connector.

10. If the hard drive or peripheral provides a legacy 4-pin power connector and your system

provides legacy 4-pin power feeds: Connect an available 4-pin system power connector
directly to the 4-pin power receptacle on the drive. Note: If your hard drive or peripheral
provides both 4-pin and 15-pin power connectors, please do not connect both 4-pin and
15-pin power cables at the same time as this may result in damage to your equipment.

11. Attach one end of the Serial ATA data cable to the Serial ATA hard drive or peripheral,

and the other end to an open connector on the SeriTek/1V4. Note: If the Serial ATA
cable provided has an angled connector on one end, connect this end to the hard disk or
peripheral. This will help to insure the drive and cables will fit properly within the
Macintosh chassis.

12. Repeat steps 8 through 11 to install additional hard drives or peripherals.

13. Caution: The Serial ATA data cable has keyed L-shaped 7-pin connectors at each end.

Be sure to connect the cable using the proper orientation to the SeriTek/1V4 host adapter
and the hard drive or peripheral interfaces. If you are having difficulty connecting the
cable, try reversing the orientation of the connector. It should easily snap into place.
Please do not force the cable connector onto the host adapter and hard drive or
peripheral interface.

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

Ready for Use

Your SeriTek/1VE2+2 host adapter is now installed. The SeriTek/1VE2+2 host adapter
features fully self-contained Macintosh booting functionality and will be recognized by your
Macintosh computer when you power it on .

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