LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 User manual

LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 User Manual 1
LACIE 2BIG QUADRA USB 3.0 USER MANUAL
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LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 User Manual 2
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the User Manual for the LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0. These pages will guide you
through the process of connecting your LaCie product and will explain its features. If this
manual doesn't answer your questions or if you are having trouble, consult the Getting Help
page.
BOX CONTENT
Your box contains the following:
LaCie 2big Quadra (including 2 x hard disks)
■
USB 3.0 cable (USB 2.0 compatible)
■
FireWire 800 cable
■
External power supply (12V/4A)
■
2-in-1 RAID mode change and drive removal tool
■
Quick Install Guide
■
CD with User Manual and software
■
Cable management
■
Important info: Please save your packaging. In the event that the drive should need to be repaired or
serviced, it must be returned in its original packaging.

LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 User Manual 3
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Your system must meet certain requirements in order for your LaCie product to function properly. For a list of
these requirements, please refer to the product packaging or consult the product support web page at
www.lacie.com/support/.
Note: USB 3.0 Connection:
For optimal performance through the USB connection, the drive must be connected to a USB 3.0 host port.
Many laptops or desktop computers do not feature USB 3.0 ports. You can purchase a USB 3.0 PCI Express
Card (for desktop computers) or a USB 3.0 ExpressCard 34 (for laptops) from LaCie that will permit the
maximum transfer speeds for which your LaCie USB 3.0 hard drive is capable. Visit
www.lacie.com/accessories/.
If you require USB 3.0 drivers for your computer, you can download them from the LaCie website.
Mac users, click here to download USB 3.0 drivers.

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VIEWS OF THE PRODUCT
FRONT VIEW
Activity LED and shortcut button. See LaCie Desktop Manager for details.1.
Removable stand2.

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REAR VIEW
Drive status LEDs1.
RAID 0 (FAST) indicator LED2.
RAID 1 (SAFE) indicator LED3.
USB 3.0 port4.
FireWire 800 ports5.
Power6.
Chain lock port7.
Swappable disks8.
RAID selection/confirmation buttons. See Manage RAID for details.9.
On/off10.
Cable management port11.

LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 User Manual 6
HARD DISK HEAT MANAGEMENT
HEAT DISSIPATION DESIGN
This LaCie product's metal body is ideal for naturally dissipating internal drive heat. Its unique design actually
draws heat away from the internal drive toward the external casing. The large surface area of the heat sink
casing absorbs internal heat and dissipates it, keeping the drive safe and prolonging its life and reliability.
As a consequence, it is normal that the external casing is warm to the touch. Please make sure that
the vent on the back bezel is not obstructed and that there is a natural airflow across the casing.
UPRIGHT, STACK & RACKMOUNT CONFIGURATION
Heat dissipation is maximized when this LaCie product is in the upright position. When stacking LaCie products,
please remember to attach the included rubber feet (if included) on the under side of your drives. This will allow
for some airflow between your drives so that the heat dissipation can work effectively. LaCie does not
recommend stacking or racking more than two drives on top of each other, especially if these drives are turned
on simultaneously.

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CABLES AND CONNECTORS
CABLE MANAGEMENT
This product includes a cable lock, a small plastic clasp that prevents cords from accidentally disconnecting.
Important Info: You can connect either the cable lock or a Kensington lock to your LaCie product, but not
both at the same time. Note also that it's impossible to disconnect the cable lock without destroying it.
To use the cable lock:
Insert the clasp's locking head into the lock slot.1.
Make sure that the interface cable is connected to the product.2.
String the interface cable through the open cable lock gate.3.
Close and snap in place the cable lock gate.4.
USB 3.0
USB is a serial input/output technology for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 is
the latest implementation of this standard, and it provides higher bandwidth and new power management
features.
Transfer rates can attain up to 5 Gbits/s as opposed to USB 2.0's 480 Mbits/s. This means USB 3.0 is
theoretically up to ten times faster than its predecessor.
Your LaCie drive is shipped with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 cable to ensure maximum data transfer performance
when connected to a compatible USB 3.0 port. The cable will also work when connected to a USB 2.0 or 1.1 port,
but drive performance will be limited to their respective transfer rates.
Connector Face
(to Computer)
Cable End
(to Computer)
Cable End
(to Hard Drive)
Connector Face
(to Hard Drive)

LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 User Manual 8
FIREWIRE 800
FireWire, also known as IEEE 1394, is a high-speed serial input/output technology for connecting peripheral
devices to a computer or to each other, and FireWire 800 is the implementation of the new IEEE 1394b standard.
FireWire 800 offers increased bandwidth and extended distance between devices. FireWire 800 is ideal for
bandwidth-intensive applications, such as audio, video and graphics.
Connector Face
(to computer)
Cable End
(to computer)
Cable End
(to product)
Connector Face
(to product)
Note: FireWire 800 is backwards compatible with FireWire 400, which means that if you have an adapter
cable, you can connect your LaCie FireWire 800 product to a FireWire 400 port on your computer. In this
case, file transfers will be limited to FireWire 400 speeds. If your product does not include an adapter cable
in the package, you can purchase one from www.lacie.com/accessories/.

LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 User Manual 9
GETTING CONNECTED
Please follow the setup steps in the order they are given to ensure that your LaCie product's volume(s) mount(s)
correctly on your computer.
STEP 1 - CONNECT THE POWER CABLE
Connect the power supply to a wall outlet and to the drive.
STEP 2 - CONNECT THE INTERFACE CABLE
Connect the interface cable from the drive to the computer.

LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 User Manual 10
STEP 3 - TURN ON THE DRIVE
Turn on the drive by moving the power switch to On.
Mac Users
The drive will mount on your desktop.
Windows Users
Since the disks are pre-formatted in HFS+ for Mac-only use, you will need to reformat the disks in order to
access the storage. Follow the instructions below to do so. Refer to Formatting and Partitioning for more
detailed information, precautions, and instructions.
Right-click on Computer (Vista/Windows 7) or My Computer (Windows XP) and choose Manage. From the1.
Manage window select Disk Management.
From the list of storage devices in the middle of the Disk Management window, locate your LaCie 2big.2.
To create a new partition, select New Simple Volume. Follow the on-screen instructions when the New3.
Simple Volume Wizard appears. Note that Windows XP 32-bit will not recognize volumes larger than 2TB.
STEP 4 - INSTALL SOFTWARE
You can now choose to install and run the included LaCie software utilities. Software are located on the CD that
came in the product box. If you wish to set email alerts or modify front LED behavior, install LaCie Desktop
Manager.