Vantec NEXSTAR 2 355UF, NEXSTAR 2 NST-355U2, NEXSTAR-2, NST-355U2, NST-355UF User Manual

E X T E R N A L E N C L O S U R E

w w w . v a n t e c u s a . c o m

U S E R M A N U A L

Package Contents:

NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure:

(NST-355U2, NST-355UF):

• Driver CD

• User Manual

• NexStar 2 External 3.5“ HDD Enclosure

• Power Adaptor

• Power Cable

• USB Cable

• FireWire Cable (NST-355UF Only)

• Screws

• Vibration Dampeners

NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure:

(NST-525U2, NST-525UF):

• Driver CD

• User Manual

• NexStar 2 External 5.25“ IDE Enclosure

• Power Cable

• USB Cable

• FireWire Cable (NST-525UF Only)

• Screws

• Mounting Brackets

TRADEMARKS

MS-DOS, Microsoft, Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP 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.

Table of Contents

1

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... pg. 2

2. Specifications/Features

2.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure .......................................................................... pg. 3

2.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure ........................................................................... pg. 3

3. System Requirements .................................................................................................................... pg. 4

4. Parts Layout

4.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure .......................................................................... pg. 5

4.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure ........................................................................... pg. 5

5. Installation

5.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure

5.1.1. Hardware Installation ................................................................................................. pg. 6

5.1.2. Driver Installation ......................................................................................................... pg. 8

5.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure

5.2.1. Hardware Installation ................................................................................................. pg. 11

5.2.2. Driver Installation ......................................................................................................... pg. 14

6. Disconnecting the NexStar 2

6.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure .......................................................................... pg. 16

6.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure ........................................................................... pg. 17

7. Creating A New Partition .............................................................................................................. pg. 18

8. Troubleshooting/FAQ

8.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure .......................................................................... pg. 20

8.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure ........................................................................... pg. 22

9. Warranty ............................................................................................................................................. pg. 23

10. Contact ............................................................................................................................................. pg. 23

Introduction

2

1. Introduction:

With its NexStar 2 series of enclosures, Vantec literally puts technology in your hands.
Whether you’re looking for the ideal portable storage device or simply a convenient way
to share hardware (hard drives, DVD burners, etc), the NexStar 2 series of enclosures is
the perfect solution.

Sleek and stylish, the NexStar 2 External 3.5” Hard Drive Enclosure is a great way to
upgrade any internal 3.5” hard drive into an external storage solution. Installing a new
hard drive can be a hassle, especially if you are trying to add storage to a notebook
computer. With the NexStar 2, you can upgrade your storage in minutes. The NexStar 2
takes advantage of USB 2.0 or FireWire (NST-355UF only) to offer speeds up to 480Mbps.
Because the NexStar 2 is plug & play, you can easily transfer data between Windows
XP/2000 systems without worrying about drivers or rebooting.

With the Vantec NexStar 2 External 5.25” Enclosure, you can easily add any 5.25” IDE
Device to your existing system. This unit also connects to your computer through USB

2.0 or FireWire (NST-525UF only) offering speeds up to 480Mbps and eliminating the
need to open your system. The NexStar 2 is perfect for anyone looking to add any 5.25”
device, such as a CD/DVD burner, to a notebook or desktop computer. Because you
don’t have to open your computer, you don’t have to worry about voiding your existing
warranty or dealing with messy wires. The integrated fan also keeps your device cool
and operating at optimum conditions. The NexStar 2 External 5.25” Enclosure is the
smart way to upgrade your computer.

Specifications/Features

3

2. Specifications/Features:

2.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure:

Specifications:

• Interface: IDE to USB 2.0/FireWire (NST-355UF only)

• Dimension: 210 X 135 X 40 mm

Features:

• Dampens Hard Drive vibration

• Transfer Rates Up to 12Mbps With USB 1.1

• Transfer Rates Up to 480Mbps With USB 2.0

• Transfer Rates Up to 400Mbps With FireWire (NST-355UF only)

• Easily add storage to any system with USB or Firewire (NST-355UF only)

• Hot-swappable: Plug and play without rebooting!

• Attractive blue LED indicates power/HDD activity

2.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure:

Specifications:

• Interface: IDE to USB 2.0/FireWire (NST-525UF only)

• Dimension: 251.5 x 173 x 47 mm

Features:

• Integrated 40x40mm Cooling Fan

• Transfer Rates Up to 12Mbps With USB 1.1

• Transfer Rates Up to 480Mbps With USB 2.0

• Transfer Rates Up to 400Mbps With FireWire (NST-525UF only)

• Easily Add A 5.25” Device to Any System With USB or FireWire
(NST-525UF only)

• Hot-Swappable: Plug & Play Without Rebooting!

• Easy Installation: No Need To Open Computer!

System Requirements

4

3. System Requirements:

• Intel Pentium II 350MHz-compatible or Apple G3 processor and greater

• Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP or Mac OS 8.6 and greater

• USB-equipped system

• For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must support USB 2.0 specifications

• For FireWire, the system must support FireWire (IEEE 1394) specifications

• CD Rom drive (if drivers are needed)

Parts Layout

5

4. Parts Layout:

4.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure:

4.2. NexStar 2 External 5.25” IDE Enclosure:

IDE Cable

Power Cable

Audio Cable

Left Vibration Dampener

Right Vibration Dampener

Right Mounting Bracket

Left Mounting Bracket

Power Cable

IDE Cable

Installation: NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure

6

5. Installation:

5.1. NexStar 2 External 3.5” HDD Enclosure:

5.1.1. Hardware Installation:

Preparing the hard drive:

1) Set the hard drive jumpers to MASTER or SINGLE DRIVE ONLY. Please refer to
the documentation included with your hard drive for information on how to
accomplish this.

2) Place the vibration dampener on the hard drive as pictured below and screw
it in place. (note: The lip of the vibration dampener is on the bottom of the
hard drive.)

3) Repeat with the second vibration dampener so that the hard drive appears
as below.

Vibration Dampener