Apacer Technology USB 3.0 User manual

USB 3.0 Flash Drive User Manual
www.apacer.com

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Table of Contents
1. Overview .....................................................................................................2
2. Read Before Use ........................................................................................2
3. Product Features .......................................................................................3
4. System Support .........................................................................................3
5. Getting Started...........................................................................................3
6. Unplugging the Device ..............................................................................5
7. Formatting the Device under Windows....................................................5
8. Formatting the Device under Mac OS ......................................................9

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1. Overview
Thank you for purchasing our USB 3.0 Flash Drive. This portable storage device
complies with the latest Super Speed USB 3.0 standards, providing an ultimate leap
on read and writes speed up to 5Gbps, while backward compatible with USB2.0
specification. Simply insert the device into an available USB port on any computer,
and the transfer of data and files, such as high definition videos, huge audio files, and
high resolution image files across different platforms can be performed easily and
swiftly.
2. Read Before Use
 Please make sure that your computer system supports USB specification revision
3.0/2.0. This USB 3.0 Flash Drive will function at USB 2.0 mode if the hardware
or operating system of your computer is configured to work at USB 2.0 transfer
mode.
 To run at USB 3.0 transfer rate, this Apacer flash drive is required to work with
standard USB3.0 interface and relevant drivers. For questions about whether
your computer can operate at USB 3.0 or not, please refer to the user manual or
the provider of your computer system.
 Never disconnect the device while jobs are in progress, otherwise it may cause a
program error. To remove USB 3.0 Flash Drive safely, use “Safely Remove
Hardware” method before unplugging the device from the computer. Right click
on the attached hardware icon, the one with a green arrow. The message “Safely
Remove Hardware” will appear.
 The actual usable memory space on this device is less than the one listed on the
package. This is due to the slight discrepancies in file formats and algorithms
differ from various operating systems. In addition, a small portion of memory
space is reserved for system files and data sector for stable performance.

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 Back up your data regularly, either to a computer or another storage device.
Apacer assumes no liability to data loss or damage during operation.
3. Product Features
 Compatible with Super Speed USB 3.0 standard specification
 Backward compatible with USB specification revision 2.0
 Truly “plug & play” connection supports hot swapping function
 Powered directly from USB port; no external power required.
4. System Support
 For USB 2.0 operations: Win2000 SP4 / Windows XP SP3 / Vista -32bit /
Windows 7 - 32,64bit / Mac OSX 10.4 or later/ Linux Kernel: 2.6.4 or later
 For USB 3.0 operations : Windows XP SP3 / Vista -32bit / Windows 7 - 32,64bit
/ Linux Kernel: 2.6.33 or later
5. Getting Started
 Plug the device into an available USB 2.0/3.0 port of the computer and the
device should be recognized automatically.
Note: the image of the device is for reference only.
USB 2.0/3.0 port

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This figure provides a reference of a connection established with a laptop.
 Your computer will detect the device and the attached hardware icon (the one
with green arrow on top) will appear. The “Found New Hardware” message may
appear.
 Removable Disk (the name may vary depending on operating systems) icon will
appear on “My Computer”. Double click on the icon to access the memory space
of this device. Now, transfer of data and files is ready.
Note: Windows operating system would determine the first available letter for
the drive letter, based on alphabetical order. For instance, in the figure of
“Removable Disk (F:)”, F is the first available letter in the order.
 Windows users may see an autorun window when the device is connected to a
computer. To view the data and files in the device, select “Open folder to view
files”. Please be noted that this image is based on Windows XP. For Windows
Vista/7 users, the dialog box may appear with a heading such as “Auto Play”
instead of “Removable Disk” like the one shown below.

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6. Unplugging the Device
 Never disconnect the device while jobs are in progress, otherwise it may cause
a program error. To remove USB 2.0 Flash Drive safely, click on the attached
hardware icon and then on the “Stop Mass Storage Device” as shown below
before unplugging it from the USB port. Fail to complete this command might
cause Data Loss.
 For Mac OS users, locate the attached device icon and open File, and click the Eject.
 For Linux users, please refer to the specific version of your system regarding
how to unplug the device safely.
7. Formatting the Device under Windows
Formatting is sometimes necessary for better performance or eliminating corrupted
data. In some cases, format is required when you are using the device under a
particular operating system for the first time. However, do remember that all the
data will be erased. Back up before doing it.
Windows operating systems, XP for instance, provide FAT32 as the default format
option for USB flash drive, but not NTFS. However, for large capacities, said 32GB
or above, NTFS is a more suitable option as it leaves more disk space. The following
are guidelines for FAT32 and NTFS formats.

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FAT32
1. Insert the USB device to an available USB 2.0/3.0 port on a computer. The device
will appear as an icon on “My Computer”.
2. Since FAT32 is the default, just open the “My Computer” icon and right click on
the device “APACER”. Then, select “Format”.
3. Click on the drop-down arrow at “File System” and select “FAT32”.
Remember, FAT32 is recommended for USB flash drives with capacities under 32GB.

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NTFS
Though a standard format option in Windows, NTFS is not a default for users. To
enable NTFS format for USB flash drives with capacities 32GB or above, please
follow the steps below.
1. Right-click on “My Computer” and select “Manage”.
2. Click on “Device Manager” and enter “Disk Drives” at the right column.
3. Select “USB3.0 FLASH DRIVE USB DEVICE” and double click to enter it.
Please be noted that the name “USB3.0 FLASH DRIVE USB DEVICE” is
determined by the operating system by default.

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4. Once you enter the “USB3.0 FLASH DRIVE USB DEVICE”, the Properties
window will appear and you are in the “General” section. Then select “Policies” at
the working tabs on top.
5. Click on “Optimize for Performance” and “OK”. In Windows, the default is
“Optimize for Quick Removal”.

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6. Now, open “My Computer” and right click on the USB storage device. NTFS is
now available.
Note:
The images above are under Windows XP operating system.
8. Formatting the Device under Mac OS
Mac OS empowered Apple computers come with a different disk format process.
Please follow the procedures below for disk formatting under Mac operating systems.
1. Insert the device into an available USB 2.0/3.0 port on the computer (Apple
computer).

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2. Go to Finder / Applications / Utilities / Disk Utility .
3. Select “USB3.0 FLASH DRIVE Media” at the left column and enter it. The name
may vary depending on the version in use. Then, go to “Partition” on the toolbar at
top.

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4. Click on the drop-down arrow at “Volume Scheme”. Then, choose the number of
partitions you want for this drive. Under Mac OS, you must choose at least one
partition. You may input a name and select various Format options under Volume
Information. “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” is the default and the
recommended as well. Then, click on “Partition”. (For USB flash drive, you only
need to perform one partition and choose Mac OS extended (Journaled).)

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Revision History
Revision Date Description Remark
1.0 1/16/2012 Official Release
Apacer Technology Inc.
4th Fl., 75 Hsin Tai Wu Rd., Sec.1
Hsichih, Taipei County 221, Taiwan
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.apacer.com
Copyright © 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Information in this document is subject to change without prior notice.
Apacer and the Apacer logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apacer
Technology Inc. Other brands, names, trademarks or registered trademarks may be
claimed as the property of their respective owners.