Acomdata DockPod RPDOCKU2FA User manual

User’s Guide
For the
DockPod
Docking Station
Model #: RPDOCKU2FA
Windows & Mac
Please retain this guide.

CONTENTS
CONTACT INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
PACKAGE CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
PRODUCT REGISTRATION FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
ABOUT ROCKETPOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
DOCKPOD AT A GLANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
DOCKPOD IN-DEPTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR MAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

CONNECTING DOCKPOD TO YOUR COMPUTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
HOW TO STACK&PLAY ROCKETPOD MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
STACKING ROCKETPOD MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
REMOVING STACKED-ON MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
TURNING OFF A ROCKETPOD STACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
CONNECTION OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
CONNECTING DOCKPOD TO A USB HUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
CONNECTING YOUR ROCKETPOD STACK TO A FIREWIRE DAISY-CHAIN . . . . . . 31
TROUBLESHOOTING/FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) . . . . . . . . . .33
SOLVING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Mailing Address:
P.O. BOX 5499
Diamond Bar, California
91765-7499
Telephone:
[phone]
Fax:
[phone]
Web:
www.acomdata.com
Customer Service:
customerser[email protected]
Technical Support:
techsuppor[email protected]
Pre-Sales Questions:
[email protected]
3
CONTACT INFORMATION

WELCOME
Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of DockPod, the
Docking Station for RocketPod Hi-Performance Peripherals from
AcomData.
This guide contains instructions on how to connect your DockPod to
your computer and stack on RocketPod modules using the patented
Stack&Play™ system. For instructions pertaining to the usage of a
specific RocketPod product, please see the User's Guide for that
product.
Please read this guide carefully before using your DockPod, and
retain it for future reference.
4

PACKAGE CONTENTS
The package should contain the following items:
• DockPod Docking Station
• FireWire cable (6-pin to 6-pin)
• USB 2.0 cable (compatible with USB 1.x)
• AC adapter and power cord
• User’s Guide
• Warranty Registration Card
If you are missing any of the items listed above, please contact
AcomData Customer Service at [email protected]
or call 1-800-470-4495 or [phone].
5

PRODUCT REGISTRATION
FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE
Please take a few moments to register your AcomData product.
Registration is required in the event that your product needs warran-
ty service. Also, please retain your sales receipt from the purchase
of this product; a copy of the sales receipt is also required to attain
warranty service.
Two ways to register:
1. Fill out and return the Warranty Registration Card included in the
package;
2. Register your AcomData product online at www.acomdata.com.
To register, click on the Customer Support button and follow the
instructions.
Online registration entitles you to free online support services,
including online tech support and customized software updates.
6

PRECAUTIONS
Be sure to follow the precautions listed below. Failure to follow
these precautions may cause damage to your AcomData product
and void the warranty.
• Read this User’s Guide carefully and follow the correct procedures
for installing and using the device.
• Do not open the device or attempt to disassemble or modify it.
If it appears to be malfunctioning, contact AcomData Technical
Support.
• Never expose the device to rain or use it near water or in damp or
wet conditions.
• Never place containers on it containing liquids which may spill onto
the device. This can damage the device and increase the risk of
electric shock, short-circuiting, fire or personal injury.
• Make sure that the computer and the device are electrically
grounded. If the device has a three-prong (grounded) plug, never
plug the device into a two-prong (non-grounded outlet).
7

• Do not expose the device to temperatures outside the range of
5° C to 40° C (41° F to 104° F). Doing so may damage the device
or disfigure its casing.
• Do not use a third-party AC adapter or power cord. Doing so may
damage the device.
• Do not bump, jar or drop the device as this may damage it or
result in loss of data.
• Do not try to set the device on its side; it is not designed to be
placed on its side.
• Do not disconnect any cables while the device is powered on.
• AcomData highly recommends that you regularly back-up the files
stored on your hard drive(s). AcomData is not responsible for any
data loss, nor will AcomData perform any recovery of lost data or
files.
8