G-Technology G-RAID mini 1TB, G-RAID mini Installation Manual

G-RAID mini Product Guide

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G-RAID mini™

Installation Guide

G-Technology Inc.

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

P/N GRM120606 RevA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

3. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

4. WHAT’S IN THE BOX

5. G-RAID mini OVERVIEW

6. INSTALLING G-RAID mini

7. INITIALIZING G-RAID mini

7.1 Mac OSX

7.2 Windows 2000/XP

7.3 Cross Platform use

8. UNMOUNTING/DISCONNECTING G-RAID mini

8.1 Mac OSX

8.2 Windows 2000/XP

9. OPTIMIZING DATA TRANSFER

10. TECHNICAL SUPPORT

11. LIMITED WARRANTY

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1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing G-RAID mini™ from G-Technology,
Inc. (G-Tech)! G-RAID mini is an ultra-portable, bus powered
FireWire storage solution specifically designed to support
professional content creation applications. G-RAID mini will
support Multi-stream video playback with real-time effects
and audio while editing on a laptop in the field. G-RAID mini
incorporates (2) 2.5” high-performance, shock resistant hard
drives and a RAID 0 controller in a sleek actively cooled
enclosure. G-RAID mini offers superior performance and
reliability for demanding content creation applications.

2. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The G-RAID mini disk array contains (2) 2.5” shock-resistant
drives, however the system is susceptible to damage due to
excessive physical shock. Place the unit in a vented area away
from moisture or liquids. Please handle the unit with care. Do
not open the case. Doing so will void the warranty. If the

product is returned with damage caused by improper
handling, the warranty will be void and liability will rest with
the user.

3. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
FireWire 800/ USB 2.0 operation

• Mac OS X 10.3.x or higher

• Windows 2000 / XP

FireWire 400 operation

• Mac OS 9.x or OS X

• Windows 2000 / XP

4. WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Take a moment to ensure that the following items are
included in the box. If anything is missing, please call G-Tech
at [phone]. Please keep the shipping container and
packing materials. In the unlikely event that you need to

return G-RAID mini to us for any reason, you must use the
G-Tech shipping container. If the product is returned
damaged caused by improper packaging, the warranty will be
void and liability will rest with the user.

Kit Contents:

• G-RAID mini disk array

• FireWire 800 (9-pin to 9-pin) cable

• FireWire 400 (6-pin to 6-pin) cable

• USB 2.0 cable

• External universal power supply

• Product CD-ROM

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5. G-RAID mini OVERVIEW

6. INSTALLING G-RAID mini

The G-RAID mini can be connected to your system via
FireWire 400, FireWire 800 or USB.

One of the coolest features of the G-RAID mini is that it can
be operated without a power supply when connected via the
FireWire 400 or 800 port. This “bus powered” feature enables
mobile operation without the need for an A/C power supply.

While it is possible to daisy-chain multiple G-RAID mini units
via FireWire, only the first G-RAID mini can be bus powered.
Any additional units must be powered by the included AC
adapter. Failure to do so may cause random unmounting of
the G-RAID mini and data loss.

7. INITIALIZING G-RAID mini

Attention Mac OS X Users

G-RAID mini is set up at the factory for use with
Mac OS X systems. If you are running Mac OS X,

G-RAID mini will mount on the OS X desktop right
out of the box. If it becomes necessary to re-format G­RAID mini for Mac OS X, see section 7.1.

Attention Windows Users

G-RAID mini must be formatted for the Windows
Operating System before use on a PC. Please see
section 7.2 for more information.

Attention Cross Platform Users

G-RAID mini can be used on both MAC and
PC systems by formatting the drive “FAT32.”

There are some limitations when using FAT
32, see section 7.3 for details. Alternatively you can install
software on the Windows machine such as “MacDrive” which
will allow you to mount MAC formatted drives on your PC.

Power and Activity LED

FireWire 800 Ports

FireWire

Fan

USB 2.0 Port

Power

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7.1 Mac OS X
G-RAID mini is initialized at the factory as a single Mac OS X
volume. Power on G-RAID mini, wait 10 seconds, then
power on your Mac. G-RAID mini will mount on the desktop
as shown below.

If it becomes necessary to re-initialize G-RAID mini for Mac
OS X, follow the instructions below.

1. Open the Apple Disk Utility. The Apple Disk Utility is in
the Utilities Folder located in the Appl ications Folde r on
the Macintosh HD. Select G-RAID mini by clicking on the
entry in the left-hand column as shown below. Information
about G-RAID mini will be displayed at the bottom.

3. Select the Partition tab to view the partition options as
shown below.

4. Set the Volume Scheme: to 1 Partition.
Enter a Volume Name under Volume Information
(in this example “G-RAID mini”) and set Format to

Mac OS Extended as shown below.

Note: Alternatively, G-RAID mini can be set up in multiple

volumes by selecting the desired number of partitions from the
Volume Scheme pull-down menu.

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5. Click on the <Partition> button. The dialog box shown
below will appear. Click on the <Partition> button to
continue.

6. When partitioning is complete, G-RAID mini will be
displayed in the left-hand panel as shown below.

7. Exit the Apple Disk Utility.

8. G-RAID mini will be displayed on the desktop as shown
below.

G-RAID mini is now set up for use!!

7.2 Windows 2000/XP

1. Power on G-RAID mini, wait 10 seconds, then power on
your computer.

2. Open the Disk Management utility by right-clicking on
the My Computer icon on the desktop and selecting
“Manage” from the drop down menu as shown below.

3. The Computer Management console will appear as shown
below. Click on “Disk Management” in the left-hand panel.
G-RAID mini is identified as Disk 1 in this example.

Right click on Disk 1 and select Initialize Disk from the
pull-down menu as shown. The window shown on the next
page will appear.

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4. Click on the <OK> button to continue.

5. The following window will appear. G-RAID mini (Disk 1) is
now identified as Basic and Online.

6. Right-click on the Disk 1 “Unallocated” bar entry and
select New Partition… from the pull-down menu as shown
below.

7. The window shown below will appear. Click on the
<Next> button to continue.

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8. The following window will appear. Click on the < Next>
button to continue.

9. The window shown below will appear. Click on the
<Next> button to continue. This will create one large
volume using all of the available space on G-RAID mini.

Note: Multiple partitions can be created on G-RAID mini. Consult your
Windows documentation for instructions on setting up multiple partitions.

10. Windows will automatically assign a drive letter, in this
example “D”. Accept this assignment and click on the
<Next> button to continue.

11. Enter a Volume Label: (in this example, G-RAID
mini), check the Perform a quick format box and click
on the <Next> button to continue.

mini

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12. The following window will appear. Click on th e <Finish>
button to continue.

13. Windows will format the volume and then display the
following window. Disk 1 is now identified as G-RAID mini
(E:). Exit the Computer Management console

14.

G-RAID mini will now be displayed as an available

hard disk drive under My Computer as shown below.

G-RAID mini is now set up for use!!

7.3. Cross Platform Use

To setup your G-RAID mini for use on both Windows and
Macintosh systems, use the Apple Disk utility and format G­RAID mini FAT32.

1. Open the Apple Disk Utility. (The Apple Disk Utility is in
the Utilities Folder located in the Applications Folder
on your system drive). A window like the one below will
appear.

2. Select the G-RAID mini from the left-hand column, then
select the “Erase” button at the top as shown. Select
MS-DOS File System from the drop down menu and
Enter “G-RAID mini” in the Name field.

3. Click on the erase button and the screen on the next
page will appear.

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4. Click “Erase” and your drive will be formatted to its full
capacity as FAT32. With this format, you will be able to
READ/WRITE on both windows (2000/XP) and MAC OS
machines. (NOTE: You could format your drive on a
Windows machine FAT32, however Windows limits FAT32
partitions to 32GB in size)

WARNING:
THIS WILL ERASE ALL DATA ON YOUR DRIVE.

NOTE: The 'MS-DOS File System' cannot write
files over 4 GB. If you are working with files over

4 GB, you may want to choose a software option
like MacDrive. MacDrive is Windows software that
enables the Windows OS to mount MAC formatted
drives. (www.macdrive.com)

8. UNMOUNTING/DISCONNECTING G-RAID mini

A great feature of G-RAID mini is its ability to be connected
and disconnected while your computer is running. To prevent
failures and/or data loss it is important to follow the steps
below when unmounting/disconnecting G-RAID mini from
your computer.

8.1 Mac OS X Computers

1. Before powering down and disconnecting G-RAID mini,
you must unmount it from the system by dragging the G­RAID mini icon to the trash located in the dock, or by
selecting the drive icon and pressing the apple key and the
“E” key at the same time. (Apple+E)

2. It is now safe to power off and remove G-RAID mini from
your system.

8.2 Windows Computers

1. Before powering down and disconnecting G-RAID mini,
left-click on the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon shown below.

2. A box like the following will appear. Click on the entry.

3. A balloon like the following will appear.

4. It is now safe to power off and remove G-RAID mini from
your system.

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9. OPTIMIZING DATA TRANSFER RATES

G-RAID mini can be connected to any Mac or PC equipped with a
FireWire 400, FireWire 800 or USB 2.0 port. For optimal
performance, G-RAID mini should be connected via a FireWire 800
port as the FireWire 400 and USB connections will limit the data
throughput.

10. TECHNICAL SUPPORT

If you encounter any difficulties while installing G-RAID mini,
please contact G-Tech Technical Support via one of the
following ways:

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.g-technology.com

When contacting Technical Support, make sure to be in front
of your computer and have the following information readily
available:

• Your G-RAID mini serial number (on bottom of unit)

• Operating system and version

• Computer brand and model

• Amount of memory installed

• Other devices attached to your computer

Thank you for purchasing G-RAID mini. If you have any
comments or questions about this manual or the product,
please call [phone], or send an email to

[e-mail]

.

11. LIMITED WARRANTY

G-Technology Inc. (G-Tech) warrants your product against any
defect in material and workmanship, under normal use, for
the designated warranty period. If the product should
become defective within the warranty period, G-Tech, will at
its discretion, repair or replace the product. Repair or
replacement parts or products will be furnished on an
exchange basis and will be either new or reconditioned. All
replaced parts or products shall become the property of G­Tech. This warranty shall not apply if the product has been
damaged by accident, misuse, abuse or as a result of
unauthorized service or parts. Warranty service is available to
the purchaser by obtaining a Return Material Authorization
number (RMA) and by delivering the product during the
warranty period to an authorized G-Tech service facility or to
G-Tech. The purchaser shall bear all shipping, packing and
insurance costs and all other costs, excluding parts and labor,
necessary to effectuate repair, replacement or refund under
this warranty. All returned product must be shipped to
G-Tech in the original shipping container.

For more information on how to obtain warranty service, an
RMA number or to acquire shipping materials, contact G-Tech
at 1629 Stanford Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404, (310) 449­4599 or [e-mail]

.

IN THE EVENT A PRODUCT BECOMES DEFECTIVE DURING
THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THE PURCHASER’S EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY SHALL BE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED
ABOVE. INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOSS OF DATA, ARISING
FROM BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ARE
NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF G-TECH AND, TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED BOTH FOR
PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND TO THE EXTENT NOT
UNCONSCIONABLE, FOR PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGE.

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