Sonnet Technologies Qio E3 User Manual

User’s Guide

Windows

for Qio™ E3 Professional SxS™ Media Reader & Writer

For

Contents

1 Introduction and Package Contents........................................................................................... 1

Introduction
Package Contents—QIO-E3-E34
Package Contents—QIO-E3-PCIE

2 Qio E3 Enclosure Description..................................................................................................... 2

3 Mac User’s Software/Hardware Installation Steps.................................................................... 3

A – Software Download Steps
B – Qio E3 System Software Installation Steps
C – SxS Drivers Installation Steps
D – Express Bus Extender PCIe 2.0 Installation Steps

4 Mac User’s Qio E3 Connection Steps........................................................................................... 4

Connecting Qio E3 to a MacBook Pro WITH a Thunderbolt Port
Connecting Qio E3 to a MacBook Pro WITHOUT a Thunderbolt Port
Connecting Qio E3 to a Mac Pro

5 Windows User’s Hardware Installation and Connection Steps..................................................... 6

A – Express Bus Extender PCIe 2.0 Installation Steps

B – Connect Qio E3 to a Desktop Computer

B – Connect Qio E3 to a Laptop Computer

6 Windows User’s BIOS Setup and Software Installation Steps....................................................... 9

A – BIOS Settings Change for Desktop Users

A – BIOS Settings Change for Laptop Users

B – Software Download

C – SxS Drivers Installation

7 SxS Media and ExpressCard/34 Adapter Card Use...................................................................... 11

Inserting and Removing Cards
Using the Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 Adapter
SxS Memory Card Write Protect Switch

8 Using Drives Connected via eSATA........................................................................................... 12

Mac Users: Connecting/Disconnecting Drives
Mac Users: Formatting Drives
Windows Users: Connecting/Disconnecting Drives
Windows Users: Formatting Drives

9 Tips and Known Issues............................................................................................................ 13

Tips
Known Issues

10 Specifications, Precautions, FCC Compliance, and Support Information...................................... 14

Specifications
Safety Precautions
FCC Compliance
Contacting Customer Service

Chapter 1 – Introduction and Package Contents

Introduction

Qio E3 is a professional 3-slot SxS™ media reader & writer, eSATA
host controller, and expansion chassis for ExpressCard/34 adapter
cards. Included with Qio E3 is either the Sonnet Express Bus
Extender PCIe 2.0 adapter card (for desktop computers) or the
Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender ExpressCard

®

/34 adapter (for notebook
and laptop computers). Both adapter cards are available separately
for purchase.

Featuring three slots for SxS memory cards, Qio E3 enables you
to transfer data between cards, between cards and computer,
and between cards and attached drives; you can even transfer
data from two or more cards at the same time. Using Sonnet
ExpressCard/34 media readers (sold separately), Qio can also work
with CompactFlash

™

Card

memory cards.

™

, Memory Stick™, MMC, SD and xD-Picture

Package Contents—QIO-E3-E34

1 – Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender

ExpressCard/34 adapter

2 – Qio E3 professional SxS media reader/

writer (enclosure)

3 – Carrying case
4 – 1-meter external PCIe x1 interface

cable

5 – Universal 12V power supply with

10-foot cable

Qio E3’s eSATA controller is based on Sonnet’s Tempo™ SATA
6Gb/s PCIe 2.0 host controller and shares the same functionality.
Support for hardware RAID controllers enable Qio E3 to control
up to eight drives (in two drive enclosures).

Qio E3 supports ExpressCard/34 adapter cards. Compatible
adapter types include memory card readers, eSATA, FireWire

®

,
Gigabit Ethernet, SmartCard reader, TV tuner, USB, WiFi, and
WWAN modem, and others. You may use adapter cards at the
same time as memory cards, however, performance may be
limited by the total bandwidth available from your computer’s
PCI Express

®

bus.

Please take a few minutes to read this user’s guide before using your Qio
E3; you will save time in the long run.

Package Contents—QIO-E3-PCIE

1 – Sonnet Express Bus Extender PCIe

2.0 adapter card

2 – Qio E3 professional SxS media reader/

writer (enclosure)

3 – Carrying case
4 – 1-meter external PCIe x1 interface

cable

5 – Universal 12V power supply with

10-foot cable

1

Chapter 2 – Qio E3 Enclosure Description

1 – Power Indicator LED

This indicator lights when Qio E3 is powered, the Sonnet
adapter card is installed properly in its slot, the PCIe cable
between the two is plugged in securely, and the computer
powered on

3 – Security Slot

This slot works with Kensington

®

brand and similar security

locks to secure the Qio E3 enclosure and deter theft

4 – PCIe x1 Connector

This connects the included interface cable plugged in
between the Qio E3 enclosure and the PCIe bus extender card
in your computer

5 – 12VDC Input Socket

Use this socket to connect either the included AC power
adapter cable, or the optional XLR power adapter cable
(connected to an external battery or other power source) to
power the Qio E3 enclosure

2 – SxS Media Slots

These slots accept both SxS memory cards and ExpressCard/34
adapter cards. You may use Sonnet memory card readers
(sold separately) in these slots to work with CF, Memory Stick,
SDXC™, SDHC™, SD, MMC, and xD-Picture memory cards

6 – 12VDC Output Socket

Use this socket to power a connected Sonnet Fusion

™

or F2QR 2-drive RAID SATA storage system. DO NOT

CONNECT POWER INPUT CABLES HERE

7 – eSATA Ports

These connect eSATA data cables plugged in between the Qio
and SATA drive enclosures. Each port supports an individual
SATA hard disk drive (or SSD), or up to four drives in an
enclosure with an eSATA interface and a built-in hardware
RAID controller

F2

2