Buffalo MiniStation HD-PZFU3 User manual

MiniStation
HD-PZFU3
User Manual
Europe: www.buffalo-technology.com
Asia Pacific: www.buffalo-asia.com
35020742-02
2015.11

1
Contents
Diagrams .........................................................................2
Specifications..................................................................3
Software Installation......................................................3
Recommended Usage ....................................................4
Dismounting the Unit.....................................................5
For Windows .....................................................................................5
For Mac..............................................................................................5
Troubleshooting .............................................................6
I can see the MiniStation in Computer (PC) but I cannot access it
(Windows).........................................................................................6
I cannot see the MiniStation ...........................................................6
My backup program cannot save files to the MiniStation............6

2
Diagrams
2
1
3
4
1 Power/Access LED
Idle: White
Active: Blinking white
When HD-PZFU3 is in encrypted mode
Locked: Orange
2 USB Cable
3 USB Connector
4 Anti-Theft Security Slot
Note: To make the drive water resistant, connect the USB cable to the drive properly and close the anti-theft
security slot with the cover.

3
Specifications
Check Buffalo's website for information on the latest products and compatible models.
Interface USB 3.0
Connector USB 3.0 Micro-B
Transfer speed 5 Gbps maximum (USB 3.0)
External dimensions 90 x 141 x 21 mm; 3.54" x 5.55" x 0.83" (excluding protruding parts)
Power 5 V ± 5%
Compatible OS
Windows 10 (64-bit or 32-bit)
Windows 8.1 (64-bit or 32-bit)
Windows RT 8.1 *
Windows 8 (64-bit or 32-bit)
Windows RT *
Windows 7 (64-bit or 32-bit)
Windows Vista (64-bit or 32-bit)
OS X 10.8 or later **
* Only basic external hard drive functionality is supported with these operating systems; utilities from our website
may not work.
These operating systems cannot be used with the drive while it is in encrypted mode. Switch the drive to normal
mode for these operating systems.
** Utilities from our website other than ModeChanger may not work with these operating systems.
WARNING:
This product and its components contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects, or reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Software Installation
Optional software for the HD-PZFU3, along with the software manuals, are available from the download page below.
http://d.buffalo.jp/hd-pzfu3/

4
Recommended Usage
To avoid damage to data, never do any of the following while data is being accessed:
- unplug the cables
- turn off your computer
- put your computer into standby, hibernate, or sleep mode
Never configure this unit as a destination for virtual memory.
The maximum size of a file on a FAT32 drive is 4 GB. To work with larger files, reformat the drive with NTFS or
Mac OS Extended.
Some computers may not recognize this device at boot. If this happens, unplug the cable, then plug it in again
after a few seconds.
This unit supports hot-plugging.
You can plug or unplug the USB cable while the unit and your PC are on. However, never unplug the cable while
data is being accessed. If you unplug the unit while data is being accessed, your data may be damaged or lost.
Never put anything on top of the MiniStation. It may cause the unit to malfunction.
If the unit is connected to a USB 2.0 or 1.1 plug, Windows will display a message that a high-speed USB device
is connected to a non high-speed USB hub. Move the unit to a USB 3.0 port for best performance, or click [X] to
continue.
You may hear some noise while the unit is working, especially while it's booting or being accessed. This is
normal.
Do not boot your operating system from this unit.
The first time you connect this unit, it may take about 20 seconds before the power/access LED turns on.
If you use this unit with multiple partitions, format each partition before use.
If your Windows computer will not boot while this unit is connected, then connect the unit to your computer
after rebooting Windows. Also, refer to your computer's manual to change the BIOS setting to boot from an
internal hard drive if you want to turn your computer on or off while this unit is connected.
Some computers may display a delayed write when they return from an energy-saving state. If this happens,
unplug the unit before putting your computer into the energy-saving mode.
This drive may become hot during use.
This unit is designed to release heat through its case. The surface of the case may become quite hot in normal use.
Even when the unit is off, the case may still be warm from standby current.

5
If the power/access LED does not turn off when you turn off your computer, unplug the USB cable from the
drive.
Some computers do not support power saving mode.
Before using this unit with a Mac, reformat it with Mac OS Extended using the disk utility in Mac OS.
Dismounting the Unit
If your computer is turned on, please follow the procedure below to unplug the unit. If your computer is turned off,
then it is always safe to unplug the unit. Unplugging the unit incorrectly can corrupt data. Please be careful.
For Windows
1 Click the icon , or in the system tray.
2 When the menu opens, click the device name.
3 A message that indicates you can safely remove the unit will appear.
For Mac
1 Drag this unit's icon to the trash to dismount the drive. Or, click the dismount icon from the sidebar of the
Finder to dismount the drive.
2 It's now safe to unplug the unit from your Mac.

6
Troubleshooting
I can see the MiniStation in Computer (PC) but I cannot
access it (Windows)
The drive may require formatting. Try using DiskFormatter2. Diskformatter2 and its manual are available from
http://d.buffalo.jp/hd-pzfu3/.
I cannot see the MiniStation
Verify that the power LED is on. If it is not, check the cable. The MiniStation should be connected to your computer
by a USB cable. Check that both ends are correctly plugged in.
Verify that the hard drive inside the MiniStation is spinning. This can be verified by placing your hand on the side of
the case and feeling for a slight vibration.
Also, after the MiniStation has been powered on for 15 minutes or longer it will begin to get warm. If neither of the
proceeding tests verified that the hard drive is spinning, then please contact technical support for further assistance.
My backup program cannot save files to the MiniStation
Reformat your MiniStation with NTFS or Mac OS Extended. FAT32 is limited to 4 GB size files.