Package Contents:
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure
1
NexStar MX Dual Bay HDD Enclosure
3
Arcsoft Totalmedia Backup™ Software
5
1394a Cable
4
USB Cable
8
9
User’s Manual
7
Installation Screws
6
Enclosure Stand
1394b Cable
2
Power Adapter
TRADEMARKS
MS-DOS,Microsoft, Windows NT/2000/ME/XP/Vista are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Apple, Macintosh and Mac are trademarks of Apple Computer
*All other third-party brands and names are the property of their respective owners.
4
5
2
Arcsoft Totalmedia
Backup™ Software
3
8
1
7
U SE R’ S MA NU AL
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6
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 02
2. Features/Specifications
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure ...............................................................03
3. System Requirements ......................................................................................04
4. Interface Information
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure ...............................................................05
5. Installation .................................................................................................................. 06
6. Driver Installation
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure ...............................................................10
7. Creating A New Partition/ Formatting The Hard Drive
FOR Windows Me/ 2000/ XP/ Vista Users ..........................................................................11
7.1 Individual Mode ......... ...................................................................................................12
7.2 JBOD Mode ......................................................................................................................12
7.3 RAID 0 Mode ...................................................................................................................12
FOR Mac OS Users ................................................................................................................15
8. RAID Mode Selection
8.1 Individual Mode .............................................................................................................18
8.2 JBOD Mode .....................................................................................................................19
8.3 RAID 0 ............................................................................................................................. ..20
9. Disconnecting The NexStar MX DUAL ...............................................21
10. Troubleshooting/ FAQ/ Warranty...........................................................22
11. Contact ...........................................................................................................................24
Table of Contents
1
Table of Contents:
Vantec NexStar MX Dual Bay External HDD
Enclosure now in the FireWire 800/400 and
USB 2.0 interface is a quick and simple way
to expand storage capacity to your computer.
It comes without the hassle of diving inside
the PC and messing with all those wires, cables
and connections. It provides maximum storage
with the increased capacity of two spanning hard
drives for your precious family photos, music,
video, and games. It supports Individual, JBOD,
RAID 0 modes for effective storage management.
The sturdy drive cage protects your hard drive
while the aluminum case effectively draws away
the heat; the front vents and the rear fan keep
your hard drive(s) cool and improve performance.
The Vantec NexStar MX is a high performance,
high capacity, and durable portable storage
solution and lets you store your personal data
in an enclosure with style!
Introduction
2
NST-400MX-UFB
1. Introduction:
Features/ Specifications
3
2. Features/Specifications:
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure :
• Supports Dual SATA I/II Hard Drives Up to 2.0 TB of Storage
• USB 2.0 External Interface Allows You to Transfer Data Up to 480 Mbps
• FireWire 400 (1394a) External Interface Allows You to Transfer Data Up to 400Mbps
• FireWire 800 (1394b) External Interface Allows You to Transfer Data Up to 800Mbps
• Front Ventilation and Rear Fan for Better Air Circulation and Cooling
• Stylish Aluminum Case to Draw Away the Heat
• Support 3 Different Configuration Modes: Individual / JBOD / RAID 0
• Simple Plug & Play Connection; Does Not Require Drivers
• Arcsoft Totalmedia Backup™, Archive Photos, Music, Video and Data with Three Easy Clicks
Features:
• Model: NST-400MX-UFB
• Device Support: 3.5” SATA I/II Hard Drive (2)
• Internal Interface: Serial ATA
• External Interface: USB 2.0 / 1394a /1394b
• HD Capacity: Up to 2TB
• Transfer Rate: USB 2.0 (Up to 480Mbps)
FireWire400 (Up to 400Mbps)
FireWire800 (Up to 800Mbps)
• Material: Plastic and Aluminum Alloy
• Dimensions: 197x123x72mm
Specifications:
I E E E
1394a
USB Port
Connect to a computer directly using a USB cable.
FireWire800/400 Port
Connect to a computer directly using a
FireWire800/400 Port cable.
Fan
Automatic fan to keep the hard drives cool.
1394b
Power connection
Power switch
FireWire 800 (1394b) Port
Fan
USB 2.0 port
FireWire 400 (1394a) Port
Mac PowerPC or Intel Core Duo processor
& greater.Mac OS 9.x & greater.
(PowerPC processor) / Mac OS 10.4 &
greater.(Intel Core Duo processor)
1. USB port, FireWire 400(1394a) port,
or FireWire 800 (1394b) port.
2. For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must
support USB 2.0 specifications.
3.For FireWire 800(1394b) speeds, the
system must support 1394b specifications.
4. For FireWire 400(1394a) speeds, the
system must support 1394a specifications.
5. CD Rom drive (if drivers are needed)
6. 64MB RAM or higher.
3. System Requirements:
System Requirements
4
Intel Pentium II 266 MHz-compatible
Microsoft Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista.
1. USB port, FireWire 400(1394a) port,
or FireWire 800 (1394b) port.
2. For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must
support USB 2.0 specifications.
3.For FireWire 800(1394b) speeds, the
system must support 1394b specifications.
4. For FireWire 400(1394a) speeds, the
system must support 1394a specifications.
5. CD Rom drive (if drivers are needed)
6. 64MB RAM or higher.
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure
4. Interface Information:
Interface Information
5
Hard Drive Caddy
Aluminum Housing
Jumper Switch
SATA/Power connector
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure
5. Installation:
Installation
6
( Figure 5-A )
5.1. Installing two hard drives
into the NexStar MX Dual:
(1) Release the four screws then pull out the rear
panel and tray of the NexStar MX Dual ( Figure 5-A )
(2) Select Operation Mode by switching jumper.
( Figure 5-B )
( Figure 5-B )
1
2
3
Jumper Switch
( Figure 5-D )
Installation
7
( Figure 5-C )
(3) Slide the first HDD into the drive caddy then
insert the HDD into the SATA connector.
( Figure 5-C )
(4) Slide the second HDD into the drive caddy
then insert the HDD into the SATA connector.
( Figure 5-D )
5) Secure the hard drives onto the drive caddy
with the provided screws on both sides in order
to secure the hard drive and the drive caddy.
( Figure 5-E )
( Figure 5-E )
( Figure 5-F )
Installation
8
(6) Insert the drive caddy back into the aluminum
housing. Be sure to align and secure with the
provided screws. ( Figure 5-F )
(7) Plug in the power cable along with the necessary
connections to your computer then switch the
power button to power on.( Figure 5-G )
( Figure 5-G )
POW ER
I EE E
1394a
1394b
or
or
Installation
9
For new hard drives, you will need to initialize and
partition your hard drive before it will appear in
Windows Explorer or on your Mac desktop. Please
refer to your hard drive manufacturer’s documentation
or read the “Creating a New Partition” section of this
manual.
NOTE :
Connecting the NexStar MX Dual to your computer:
(1) Connect the Type B USB connector to the NexStar MX
Dual and the Type A USB connector to an available
USB 1.1/2.0 port on your system.
(2) Connect the power cable to the NexStar MX Dual
and plug the cable into an available outlet.
(3) Turn on the NexStar MX Dual via the power switch.
(4) Your operating system should detect the NexStar MX
Dual and automatically install the necessary drivers
( if you have Windows 98SE/MacOS 8.6, you will
need to install drivers). Once your operating system
finishes setting up the NexStar MX Dual, it will
detect your hard drive. On Mac OS systems, the
new volume should appear on the desktop. On a
Windows PC, the new volume will appear under
My Computer.
(5) Your NexStar MX Dual External Hard Drive is now
ready for use.
Windows 2000/2003/ XP/Vista:
(1) No drivers are necessary when using
Windows ME/ XP/ 2000/ Vista.
If the hard drive does not appear
under My Computer, be sure to partition
your hard drive.
6. Driver Installation:
Driver Installation
10
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure
Mac OS 9.0 or later :
1) No drivers are necessary when using Mac
as 9.0 or later. If the hard drive does not
appear on the desktop, be sure to partition
your hard drive.
Creating a New Partition / Formatting The Hard Drive
11
7. Creating a New Partition /
Formatting The Hard Drive:
NOTE :
STEP1: Right-click on “My Computer” icon and
select the "Manage” column. ( Figure 7-A )
( Figure 7-A )
WARNING :
Doing the following will erase any existing data on
the drive. If the drive is damaged and you wish to
recover the data, continuing may overwrite the existing
information!
The best way to partition the new hard drive is using the
supplier’s software. Please download the software from
supplier’s website. If the software doesn’t exist, please try
the following way.
The system below Mac OS 9. please check the documents of
the hard disk. There is information about partition the disk.
FOR Windows 2000/2003/ XP/ Vista Users :
Creating a New Partition / Formatting The Hard Drive
STEP2 : Select “Disk Management” and you will see
your hard drives show “Unallocated”.
Sample：750GB & 250GB hard drives.
Individual Mode
:
This mode can show each hard disk as
individual device. ( Figure 7-B )
12
JBOD Mode :
JBOD MODE can integrate two different
brands of hard drives with different capacity
to become a larger format hard drive. ( Figure 7-C )
RAID 0 Mode :
Raid 0 Mode can integrate two different
brands of hard drives with different capacity
to a larger format hard drive.
>Two hard drives of the same capacity: the total
capacity is the sum of the two hard drives.
>Two hard drives of the different capacity: the
total capacity is the twice volume of the smaller
hard drive.( Figure 7- D )
(
Figure 7-D )
(
Figure 7-C )
(
Figure 7-B )
STEP3: Right-click the red-squared block and
select "Initialize Disk”.
Take JBOD Mode for example. (one 750GB
HDD & one 250GB hard drives) ( Figure 7-E )
STEP4: Press “OK” button to initialize hard drive.
( Figure 7-F)
STEP5: The hard drive will show “Online”.
Right-click the “Unallocated” block and
selects “New Partition”. ( Figure 7-G )
Creating a New Partition / Formatting The Hard Drive
13
( Figure 7-F )
( Figure 7-E )
( Figure 7-G )
Creating a New Partition / Formatting The Hard Drive
STEP6: The “New Partition Wizard” will appear.
Please follow the instruction of the wizard to
complete the partition. ( Figure 7-H )
STEP7: When new partition is completed, the hard
drive will be recognized as a “New Volume”.
( Figure 7-I )
STEP8: Format the other hard drive in the same way.
( Figure 7-J )
14
( Figure 7-I )
( Figure 7-H )
( Figure 7-J )
( Figure 7-M )
Creating a New Partition / Formatting The Hard Drive
15
STEP1: When you connect the NexStar MX Dual to a
Mac with a new hard drive, the dialog "Disk
Insertion" will appear. Please select "Initialize".
(A formatted HDD will not display this dialog)
(Figure 7-K)
( Figure 7-K )
( Figure 7-L )
STEP2: Select which H D D you want to erase.
FOR Mac Users :
Individual Mode :
This mode can show each hard disk as
individual device.
( Figure 7-L )
JBOD Mode :
JBOD MODE can integrate two different
brands of hard drives with different capacity
to a larger format hard drive. ( Figure 7-M )
( Figure 7-N )
Creating a New Partition / Formatting The Hard Drive
16
RAID 0 Mode :
Raid 0 Mode can integrate two different
brands of hard drives with different capacity
to a larger format hard drive.
>Two hard drives of the same capacity: the total
capacity is the sum of the two hard drives.
>Two hard drives of the different capacity: the
total capacity is the twice volume of the smaller
hard drive.( Figure 7- N )
STEP3: Click “Erase” at the upper right side. Select
which kind of format from Volume Format.
Please input the name you wish to name your
new Volume. Click “Erase” at lower right side.
( Figure 7-O )
( Figure 7-P )
STEP4: After you hit "Enter", the dialog "Erase Disk"
will appear. Please click "Erase" to begin
formatting your hard drive. ( Figure 7-P )
( Figure 7-O )
WARNING :
All data will be erased after the format
Creating a New Partition / Formatting The Hard Drive
17
( Figure 7-Q )
Select how you want to use your new Volume
or click “Cancel” if you want to use default
settings. ( Figure 7-Q )
U n e qual h a rd d r i ve sEqu a l h ard d rive s
Vo lum e A
D rive A
D rive B
Vo lum e B
Vo lum e A
Vo lum e B
N S T-400M X-S R
Port 0 P ort 1
D rive B
D rive A
Port 0 P ort 1
RAID Mode Selection
18
Individual Mode：
This mode can show each hard disk as
individual device. ( Figure 8-A ), ( Figure 8-B )
( Figure 8-B )
8. RAID Mode Selection
Jumper Selection & Storage Policy Definitions
( Figure 8-A )
1
2
3
Individual Mode
N S T-40 0M X-SR
RAID Mode Selection
19
JBOD Mode：
This mode combines a series of physical hard drives as a
single large volume; resulting in a seamless expansion
of virtual volumes beyond the physical limitations
of singularly connected hard drives. Hard drive A
and B are combined into a single virtual volume in
the figure below with a storage capacity that is
equal to the sum of each of the physical hard drives
A and B. It is also possible to create a JBOD volume
using only a single hard disk drive connected to
Port 0, and then increase the storage capacity of the
volume later by adding another hard disk drive to
Port 1 and pressing reset button. The new disk blocks
of Port 1 will be combined to the end of the disk
blocks of Port 0, and any data that is stored on the
existing JBOD volume will be preserved. However,
it is not possible to expand an existing JBOD volume
by adding another hard disk drive to Port 0 and still
preserve any existing data on that volume.
( Figure 8-C ), ( Figure 8-D )
( Figure 8-D )
D rive A
25 0G B
N ST-4 00 MX -S R
P ort 0 P ort 1
JBO D
500GB
D rive A
25 0G B
D rive A
25 0G B
D rive A
75 0G B
JBO D
U n e q u a l h ard dr ive s
Po rt 0 P ort 1
NST- 400 MX-SR
( Figure 8-C )
1
2
3
JBOD Mode
Equal h a rd d rives
( Figure 8-E )
JBOD Mode
1
2
3
RAID Mode Selection
20
RAID 0：
This mode is a combination of two physical partitions,
where the data is striped between them. It presents the
best data speed but no data redundancy.
Two equal hard drives：
The capacity is equal to the sum of both hard drives.
Two unequal hard drives：
The capacity is double of the smaller hard drives.
( Figure 8-E ), ( Figure 8-F )
( Figure 8-F )
D rive A
25 0G B
N ST-4 00 MX -S R
P ort 0 P ort 1
Raid 0
500 GB
D rive B
25 0G B
D rive A
25 0G B
D rive A
75 0G B
Raid 0
Po rt 0 P ort 1
NST- 400 MX-SR
Stripi ng a c ross
Equa l h ard dri ve s Unequal har d d rives
Stripi ng a c ross
NEVER remove the NexStar MX Dual while the hard
drive is in use. Doing so may corrupt the data on the
hard drive or damage the hard drive, NexStar MX
Dual, or computer.
Disconnecting The NexStar MX DUAL
21
9. Disconnecting The NexStar MX DUAL
WARNING :
Mac OS:
1) Make sure all operation using the hard drive
within the NexStar MX Dual has ceased.
2) Close any windows and programs pertaining
to the NexStar MX Dual.
3) From the Desktop, drag the NexStar MX
Dual hard drive to the trash.
4) Turn off the NexStar MX Dual.
5) Unplug the USB cable from the system.
Windows 2000/ 2003/ XP /Vista:
1) Make sure all operation using the hard
drive within the NexStar MX Dual has ceased.
2) Close any windows and programs pertaining
to the NexStar MX Dual.
3) If connected by USB, double click the green
"Unplug or Eject Hardware" icon in the system
tray and select [Safely Remove Hardware ].
Select the device you wish to remove and click
on [Stop].The system should prompt, "lt is now
safe to remove the USB device”. If not, wait for
any programs still using the device to finish
and try again.
4) Turn off the NexStar MX Dual.
5) Unplug the USB cable from the system.
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure
NexStar MX – Dual 3.5” SATA HDD Enclosure
Troubleshooting / FAQ / Warranty
22
10. Troubleshooting/ FAQ/ Warranty :
A: If your computer is giving you problems with the
NexStar MX Dual, be sure to connect the USB cable
to a rear port, directly off the motherboard or USB
PCI card. The cables connecting front USB ports are
not always properly shielded and cannot properly
handle USB 2.0 speeds, thereby corrupting the signal
between the NexStar MX Dual and the computer.
2. My computer sometimes recognizes the
NexStar MX Dual, but sometimes gives me
errors?
1. My computer recognizes the NexStar MX
Dual, but it does not assign a drive letter
to it ?
A: You are probably using a brand new hard drive. If
not, then your computer may not be able to recognize
the partition on the hard drive because it is damaged
or not a valid format. Please refer to the section
"Creating a New Partition" for information on how
to create a useable partition on your drive.
3. Why is the data on my hard drive corrupted ?
A: Connecting your hard drive to the NexStar MX Dual
is just like connecting a hard drive to the inside of your
computer. The NexStar MX Dual itself will not corrupt
your data. If your data has become corrupt, it is likely
caused by the removal of the NexStar MX Dual while
data was still being written to the hard drive.
CAUTION: Never remove the NexStar MX Dual while
data is being written to the hard drive! Doing so may
cause the hard drive to become corrupt. Make sure
all applications being run off the disk and all files in
use are no longer in use before removing the unit.
4. Why is my computer not showing the full
size of my hard drive ?
A: If you are using Windows 98SE, please refer to
Microsoft's Windows 98 Support Center and download
the large capacity drive patch. Else, verify that your
motherboard supports large capacity drives. Some
older motherboards cannot use drives larger than
137 GB. If Windows XP/2000 will not let you create
a partition larger than 32GB, make sure you are using
the NTFS file system, as Windows XP/2000 limits FAT32
partitions to only 32GB.
WARNING :
The NexStar MX Dual comes with a 1 year limited
warranty (90 day parts). If your unit should become
defective within tha t time frame, please go to
http:// www.vantecusa.com for information on
ho w to re c eive w arra n ty exchange or repa i r.
Cosmetic defects and missing parts are not covered
under this warranty. P lease check the contents
of the unit to make sure you rece ived all parts.
Also, check for any cosmet ic flaws. If any parts
are missing or if there are cosmetic defects, please
contact the retailer from wh ich you p urchased
the unit immediately and ask for a replacement.
Troubleshooting / FAQ / Warranty
23
A: Windows 98SE cannot recognize the NTFS file system.
If you wish to use the device with Windows XP/2000
and Windows 98SE, you need to format the drive as
FAT32
5. Why can't Windows 98SE read my hard drive ?
It works with Windows XP /2000 ?
A: You have probably formatted the hard drive in the
FAT32 file system. FAT32 limits the file sizes to 4GB
maximum. The NTFS file system does not have this
limitation.
6. Why can't I copy files larger than 4GB onto
my NexStar MX Dual ?
Contact
24
11. Contact :
Copyright © 2008 Vantec Thermal Technologies. All Right Reserved.
All Registered Trademarks Belong To Their Respective Companies.
Vantec Thermal Technologies
43951 Boscell Rd.
Fremont, CA 94538
tel: 510-668-0368
fax: 510-668-0367
website: www.vantecusa.com
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