LaCie MINI COMPANION HARD DRIVE U S B 2. User manual

USB 2.0
COMPANION
HARD DRIVE
user manual user manual user manual user manual
user manual user manual user manual user manual

Foreward
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 2
Table of Contents
Foreword 3
Precautions 5
1. Unpacking Your LaCie Drive 6
1.1 Minimum System Requirements 6
1.2 Stacking Your LaCie mini 7
2. Getting Connected 8
2.1 Connect the Power Supply and Switch On the Drive 11
2.2 Connect the USB 2.0 Cable to Your LaCie mini and to Your Computer 12
3. Using Your LaCie Drive 13
3.1 Formatting and Partitioning Your LaCie mini 14
3.1.1 Mac Users 14
3.1.2 Windows Users 16
4. Helpful Information 18
4.1. Advice for Optimizing USB 2.0 Connections 18
4.1.1. What Is USB 2.0? 18
4.1.2. Disconnecting USB 2.0 Devices 19
4.1.3. Data Transfers 20
4.2 File System Formats 21
4.2.1. Mac Users 21
4.2.2. Windows Users 22
5. Troubleshooting 23
6. Contacting Customer Support 27
7. Warranty 29

Foreward
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 3
Copyrights
Copyright © 2005 LaCie. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior
written consent of LaCie.
Trademarks
Apple, Mac mini, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft, Windows 98, Windows 98
SE, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition and Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Sony and iLink are registered trademarks of Sony Electronics. Other trademarks mentioned in this manual are the property of
their respective owners.
Changes
The material in this document is for information only and subject to change without notice. While reasonable efforts have
been made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy, LaCie assumes no liability resulting from errors or
omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein. LaCie reserves the right to make changes or
revisions in the product design or the product manual without reservation and without obligation to notify any person of such
revisions and changes.
FCC Statement:
Warning! Modifications not authorized by the manufacturer may void the user’s authority to operate this device.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Tested To Comply
With FCC standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
LaCie mini - USB 2.0

LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 4
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Canada Compliance Statement
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Manufacturer’s Declaration for CE Certification
We hereby certify that this device is in compliance with both the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) and the Low Voltage Directive
(73/23/EEC) issued by the Commission of the European Community.
Compliance with these directives implies conformity to the following European Norms:
Class B EN60950, EN55022, EN50082-1, EN61000-3-2
With reference to the following conditions:
73/23/EEC Low Voltage Directive
89/336/EEC EMC Directive
Foreword
page 4

Precautions
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 5
Health And Safety Precautions
Only qualified persons are authorized to carry out maintenance on this device.
• Read this User's Manual carefully, and follow the correct procedure when setting up the device.
• Do not open your hard drive or attempt to disassemble or modify it. Never insert any metallic object into the drive to avoid
any risk of electrical shock, fire, short-circuiting or dangerous emissions. Your hard drive contains no user-serviceable parts. If
it appears to be malfunctioning, have it inspected by a qualified LaCie Technical Support representative.
• Never expose your device to rain, or use it near water, or in damp or wet conditions. Never place objects containing
liquids on the drive, as they may spill into its openings. Doing so increases the risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting, fire or
personal injury.
General Use Precautions:
• Do not expose the hard drive to temperatures outside the range of 5° C to 35° C (41° F to 95° F) during operation. Doing
so may damage the drive or disfigure its casing. Avoid placing your drive near a source of heat or exposing it to sunlight
(even through a window). Inversely, placing your drive in an environment that is too cold or humid may damage the unit.
• Always unplug the hard drive from the electrical outlet if there is a risk of lightning or if it will be unused for an extended
period of time. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting or fire.
• Use only the power supply shipped with the device.
• Do not use the hard drive near other electrical appliances such as televisions, radios or speakers. Doing so may cause
interference which will adversely affect the operation of the other products.
• Do not place the drive near sources of magnetic interference, such as computer displays, televisions or speakers. Magnetic
interference can affect the operation and stability of your hard drive.
• Do not place heavy objects on top of the drive or use excessive force on it.
• Never use excessive force on your drive. If you detect a problem, consult the Troubleshooting section in this manual.
• Protect your hard drive from excessive exposure to dust during use or storage. Dust can build up inside the device,
increasing the risk of damage or malfunction.
• Never use benzene, paint thinners, detergent or other chemical products to clean the outside of the drive. Such products will
disfigure and discolor the casing. Instead, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the device.
• Do not block the ventilation outlets on the top of the drive. These help to keep your drive cool during operation. Blocking the
ventilation outlets may cause damage to your drive and cause an increased risk of short-circuiting or fire. Always place mini
under Apple Mac Mini to allow for proper cooling for both the mini and the Mac Mini.
Warning! The drive's warranty may be void as a result of the failure to respect the precautions listed above.

Unpacking Your LaCie Drive
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 6
1. Unpacking Your LaCie Drive
Your LaCie mini is designed to upgrade the storage capacity of your Mac mini conveniently stacking under it. You can also
use your LaCie mini with other computers, using a variety of operating systems. Ideal for speed intensive applications, the
LaCie mini handles your demanding data needs. Secure and stable, the LaCie mini is an easy way to add storage space to
your computer without losing space on your desk.
1.1. Minimum System Requirements
System Requirements for USB 2.0:
• Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows Me and Windows XP
• Mac OS 9.x (Apple USB support 1.3.5 and greater) and Mac OS 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4
Hardware Requirements for USB 2.0:
• Mac: G3 processor or greater
• Computer with USB 2.0 or 1.1 interface*
• Intel Pentium 233MHz-compatible processor or greater
• Minimum 32MB RAM
Tech Note: *To achieve USB 2.0 speeds, your drive must be connected to a USB 2.0 host port. If it is connected to a
USB 1.1 port, your drive will operate at USB 1.1 speeds. For more details, see 4.1. Advice for Optimizing USB 2.0
Connections.
2
3
4
LaCie mini
Power supply and adapter cable
Long and short Hi-speed USB 2.0
certified cable
LaCie Storage Utilities CD-ROM
1
COMPAN ION HARD DRIVE
Windows® 2000/XP or Mac OS X & Higher
For Mac OS X & Higher: Silverkeeper v1.1.2
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User’s Manual
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Unpacking Your LaCie Drive
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 7
1.2 Stacking your LaCie mini
Your LaCie mini is designed to stack under another LaCie mini or your Apple Mac mini. To allow for proper cooling, always
stack your LaCie mini under your Mac Mini. DO NOT turn over your drive or place your Lacie mini on top of the Apple Mac
mini, as this will risk overheating.

Getting Connected
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 8
2. Getting Connected
Follow these steps to quickly get your LaCie mini powered on and connected to your computer. See the
following steps to get started!
2.1. Connect the Power Supply and Switch On the Drive
2.2. Connect the USB 2.0 Cable to Your LaCie Drive and to Your Computer
Once you’ve gotten the drive powered on and connected to your computer, move on to section 3. Using
Your LaCie Drive for important information on how to format and utilize your drive.
Mac OS 9.x Users!
Windows 98 SE and Windows Me Users!
Before following the next three steps, first install this important software to help you configure and manage your LaCie drive.
• Mac OS 9.x Users, see 3.1.1.
• Windows 98 SE and Windows Me Users, click see 3.1.2.

Getting Connected
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 9
Mac OS 9.x Users Only! Silverlining Pro Installation
Before connecting the power supply and USB 2.0 cable to your drive, you will need to install Silverlining Pro, which will help
you manage your drive. Follow the steps below to install the necessary drivers and software to configure your drive. Then
move on to the power supply and USB 2.0 cable installation steps.
1) Insert the LaCie Storage Utilities CD-ROM in your computer’s internal CD/DVD drive.
2) Open the CD icon and double-click on the Silverlining Software folder.
3) Click on the Silverlining Installer icon (Fig.2.1).
4) The Silverlining Utilities screen appears. Click on Continue.
5) The “Silverlining Read Me” screen appears. Read the following information and click
on Continue.
6) The “License Agreement” screen appears. Click on Agree.
7) The “Installation” screen appears. Choose either Easy Install, Custom Install or
Uninstall from the pull-down menu in the upper left-hand side of the “Installation”
screen. Once you’ve made your choice, click on Install.
8) A message appears to confirm that the installation was successful. Now move onto
Step 1.
Fig.2.1

Getting Connected
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 10
Windows 98 SE and Windows Me Users Only! Silverlining 98 Installation
Before connecting the power supply and USB 2.0 cable cable to your drive, you will need to install Silverlining 98, which will
help you manage your drive. Follow the steps below to install the necessary drivers and software to configure your drive.
Then move on to the power supply and USB 2.0 cable installation steps.
1) Insert the LaCie Storage Utilities CD-ROM in your computer’s internal CD/DVD drive and open the disc (Fig.2.2).
2) Double-click the Silverlining 98 folder.
3) Double-click the Silverlining98_Install.EXE icon.
4) Silverlining 98 will then initialize the install screen.
5) The “Welcome” screen will appear. Click Next.
6) The “Destination Location” screen will appear. To alter the location
where the software is installed on your system, click the Browse
button. If you do not want to change the location, do not click on the
Browse button, and allow the software to be installed in its default
location. Click Next to continue.
7) Next is the “Start Installation” screen. Click Next.
8) The software installation will begin, and you will see the installation
screens.
9) Finally, you will see the “Silverlining 98 has been installed
correctly” screen. Click Finish to complete the installation.
Now move onto Step 1.
Fig.2.2

Getting Connected
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 11
Step 2.1 –
Connect the power supply and switch on the drive.
There are two cables that are supplied with the power supply: one cable (A) connects to a power outlet, such as a wall outlet
or a surge protector; and the other cable (B) connects to the LaCie drive.
Connect Cable A to your LaCie mini.
Connect Cable B to the Power Supply brick.
Connect Cable B to a wall outlet.
Turn the drive on and off by using the On/Off switch.
Warning! Use only the AC adapter supplied with your specific LaCie mini. Do not use a power supply from another
LaCie drive or another manufacturer. Using any other power cable or power supply may cause damage to the device
and void your warranty. Always remove the AC adapter before transporting your LaCie drive. Failure to remove the
adapter may result in damage to your drive and will void your warranty.
Important Note: You may use your LaCie mini when in a foreign country, thanks to its autoswitching 100-240 Volt
power supply. To be able to use this feature, you may need to purchase an appropriate adapter or cord. Consult
LaCie Technical Support for assistance in choosing the right adapter. LaCie accepts no responsibility for any damage
to the drive resulting from the use of an inappropriate adapter. Using an adapter other than one authorized by LaCie
will void your warranty.
1
2
3
4
1
2
Cable A
Cable B
Power Supply Brick 3
4

Getting Connected
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 12
Step 2.2 –
Connect the USB 2.0 Cable to Your LaCie mini and to Your Computer
Examine the cable carefully and make sure that you have the USB 2.0 cable properly aligned, then insert the cable
firmly into the USB port on the back of the drive for a stable connection.
Look for a USB 2.0* logo (which generally is used to identify the port) next to the connector on the front or back of
your computer, then insert the cable firmly into the USB port for a stable connnection.
Tech Note: Please refer to section 4.1 Advice for Optimizing USB 2.0 Connections for important information on
disconnecting USB 2.0 devices and ensuring optimum performance. To achieve USB 2.0 speeds, your drive must be
connected to a USB 2.0 host port. If it is connected to a USB 1.1 port, your drive will operate at USB 1.1 speeds. For
more details, see 4.1 Advice for Optimizing USB 2.0 Connections.
1
2
Important Note: Windows Users: It may take a few seconds for your computer to recognize the drive and assign it a
letter.
Mac Users: It may take a few seconds for the drive to appear on your desktop.
Mac OS 9.x Mac OS 10.x
5
USB 1.1 Logo
USB 2.0 Logo
2
1

Using Your LaCie Drive
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 13
3. Using Your LaCie Drive
Formatting a disk consists of the following: the operating system erases all of
the bookkeeping information on the disk, tests the disk to make sure that all of
the sectors are reliable, marks bad sectors (i.e., those that are scratched) and
creates internal address tables that it later uses to locate information.
As you format the drive, you will have the opportunity to divide the hard drive
into sections, called partitions. A partition is a section of the hard drive’s
storage capacity that is created to contain files and data.
Once formatted, the actual available storage capacity varies, depending on
operating environment, and is generally about 10% less than the non-
formatted capacity.
File System Formats
There are three different file system formats that are predominately found in
Mac and Windows environments:
•Mac OS Extended (HFS+) - for Mac OS 9.x and Mac OS 10.x
•NTFS - for Windows 2000 and XP
•FAT 32 - for Windows Me and legacy operating systems
Tech Note: Windows Users! This
LaCie Hard Drive is formatted for
the Mac operating system, and you will
need to re-format the drive in order for it
to appear and operate under the
Windows operating system.
Mac Users
• If you will be using the drive in a strictly Mac OS
environment, leave the drive formatted as one large Mac
OS Extended volume.
• If you want to be able to install multiple Mac operating
systems on the LaCie Drive, partition the drive into
multiple Mac OS Extended volumes.
Windows Users
• If you will be using this drive between Windows
98SE, Me, 2000 and/or XP environments, it is
recommended that you create two partitions: one that is
a 32GB FAT 32 (MS-DOS File System) volume, and the
other as a large NTFS volume.
• If you will be using the drive in a strictly Win
2000/XP environment, create one large NTFS volume.
Important Note: If you will be
using this drive between Mac and
Windows operating environments, you can
create two partitions: one 32GB FAT 32
volume, and one large Mac OS Extended
volume. There are certain limitations to this
configuration, though; to achieve the best
performance and reliability, it is
recommended that you utilize a third-party
utility, such as Mediafour’s MacDrive,
which allows Windows computers to read
and write files on a volume formatted for
the Mac.

Using Your LaCie Drive
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 14
3.1 Formatting And Partitioning Your LaCie mini
3.1.1. Mac Users
The LaCie mini is pre-formatted in HFS+ for immediate use on Apple computers so you do not need to reformat it. If you want
to reformat it, see below.
• Mac OS 9.x – Install and use LaCie Silverlining Pro, which is included with your drive.
• Mac OS 10.x – Use the Apple Disk Utility application, which is native to the operating system.
For instructions on installing and using Silverlining Pro, please refer to the Silverlining manual, located on your LaCie Storage
Utilities CD, in PDF format.
Formatting And Partitioning Using Mac OS 10.x
Warning! Following these steps will erase anything that is on the hard drive. Therefore, if you have information that
you want to protect or continue to use, backup this information before performing these steps.
1) Connect the drive to the computer via the USB 2.0 port.
2) Once the drive mounts onto the desktop, go to the Menu Bar, and open Go.
3) From the Go menu, click on Applications.
4) In the Applications menu, open the Utilities
folder, and then double-click Disc Utility from the
Utilities folder.
5) The Disc Utility window will open. In the left side
of the window will be a list of the available hard
disk drives. You should see a volume that represents
your internal hard drive, and one that reads LaCie.
6) Select the LaCie drive, and then click on the
Partition tab.
7) From the Volume Scheme: button, choose the
number of partitions you want to divide the drive
into by clicking on the pull down menu starting with
Current (Mac OS 10.x gives you the option of
dividing the drive into at most 8 partitions). You can
customize the size of the partitions by using the
slide bar between the partitions in the Volume
Scheme: area.

Using Your LaCie Drive
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 15
8) In the Volume Information section, create a name for each partition, choose the volume format (Mac OS Extended, Mac
OS Standard or UNIX File System) and the volume size.
Important Note: Please refer to section 4.2. File System Formats, for a more detailed discussion on the differences
between the two systems.
Important Note: Apple recommends that unless you have a specific reason to use the UNIX File System (UFS), you
should use the Mac OS Extended format since it provides a more familiar experience to Macintosh users.
9) In the Options section, click the Install Mac OS 9 Disk Drivers box if you plan on sharing the drive between the Mac OS
9.x and Mac OS 10.x.
10) Once you have finalized the volume format, number of partitions, size and options, click OK. The following message will
appear: “Warning! Saving the new volume will erase all existing volumes. This can NOT be undone. Are you sure you want
to do that?” Click Partition to continue.
11) Mac OS 10.x will automatically setup the disk with the partitions and volume format you selected, and your new drive
will be available for use.

Using Your LaCie Drive
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 16
3.1.2. Windows Users
The LaCie mini is formatted in HFS+ so Windows users must reformat it. If you use only Windows 2000 and XP, format the
drive in NTFS. If you want cross platform use between Windows and Mac and or Windows 98 SE and Me, please use FAT32.
• Windows 98 SE and Me – Install and use LaCie Silverlining 98, which is included with your drive.
• Windows 2000 and XP – Use the Disk Management Utility, which is native to the operating system.
For instructions on installing and using Silverlining 98, please refer to the Silverlining manual, located on your LaCie Storage
Utilities CD, in PDF format.
Formatting And Partitioning Using Windows 2000 And Windows XP
The process of formatting and partitioning a drive on a computer running Windows 2000 or Windows XP consists of two
steps: (1) installing a signature on the drive, and (2) partitioning/formatting the drive. These steps will erase anything that is
on the disk.
1) Connect the drive to the computer via the USB 2.0 port.
2) Right-click My Computer and click Manage.
3) From the Computer Management window, select Disk Management (located below the Storage group).
4) If this is the first time the drive is being formatted, Windows 2000 will launch the Write Signature Wizard (Write Initialize
Wizard in Windows XP). Click Next.
5) Windows will list the new
drive(s) attached. If you are
formatting a single drive, only
one drive should be visible.
Select the checkbox next to the
drive and click Next.
6)Click Finish to exit the
Wizard.
7) Now, with the disk
management window open, a
new drive will be visible. Right-
click on the available space
and select Create Partition...
Important Note:
Check the "quick
format" box.

Using Your LaCie Drive
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 17
8) This will bring up the Create Partition Wizard. Click Next.
9) Select Primary Partition. Click Next.
10) Here you must specify partition size. It is recommended that you leave
the partition set to the maximum available size, unless you want multiple partitions on the same drive. Click Next.
11) Select Assign drive letter and select the desired letter for the drive. Click Next.
12) Select Format this partition… and then select a file system:
FAT32
FAT32 is a file system that is compatible with Windows 98 SE, Windows
Me, Windows 2000 and Windows XP; however, it has limitations. In
Windows 2000 and Windows XP, you will not be able to create a partition
greater than 32GB.
NTFS
NTFS is a newer file system that is compatible only with Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. It has fewer
limitations than FAT 32 and will enable a partition to be created that is larger than 32GB.
Important Note: Please refer to section 4.2. File System Formats, for a more detailed discussion on the differences
between the two systems.
13) Click Next.
14) Click Finish.
15) Disk Management will create the partition and begin formatting the
drive. Once completed, close Disk Management and your new drive will be
ready to use.

Helpful Information
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 18
4. Helpful Information
4.1. Advice For Optimizing USB 2.0 Connections
The following technical information relates to your LaCie Drive and gives some
practical advice:
4.1.1 What is USB 2.0?
The new USB 2.0 standard provides higher bandwidth for high-speed peripherals
such as external hard drives, high-speed scanners and CD-RW drives. USB 2.0
delivers transfer rates up to 480Mb/s, while conveniently maintaining backward
compatibility with USB 1.1 devices.
USB 2.0 can still be used to connect lower-speed USB 1.1 ports and devices like digital cameras, scanners, modems,
keyboards, mice, joysticks and printers. In the USB 2.0 system, existing USB peripherals do not have to be upgraded, and
lower-speed devices will not require additional performance, instead operating as USB 1.1 devices.
USB Cables and Connectors
Your LaCie drive is shipped with a USB 2.0-certified USB cable, to ensure maximum data transfer performance when
connected to a USB 2.0 port. The cable will also work when connected to a USB 1.1 port, but drive performance will be
limited to USB 1.1 transfer rates.
There are also different types of USB connections, such as the mini-cable and device end. Make sure that you have the
correct type of connection on computer. Consult LaCie Customer Support or your LaCie reseller for more information.
USB 2.0 Host Bus Adapters and Performance
To utilize the newly-enhanced USB 2.0 performances, your computer must be equipped with a USB 2.0 host bus adapter
card (sold separately, such as the LaCie USB 2.0 PCI Card, or integrated by your PC manufacturer) and the appropriate
drivers. These host bus adapter cards, which include one or more USB ports, are shipped with special USB 2.0 drivers that
enable the computer to control the card. These drivers must be installed in order for USB 2.0 devices connected to the port to
work at their correct speeds. For installation instructions, please refer to the documentation that comes with the host adapter
card.
LaCie supplies only the appropriate USB 2.0 drivers for its peripherals and does not provide drivers for third-party host
adapter cards. To obtain the right drivers for your host adapter card, visit your card manufacturer’s Internet site.
USB 2.0 Logo
USB 1.1 Logo

Helpful Informaion
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 19
4.1.2. Disconnecting USB 2.0 Devices
USB 2.0 external devices feature "plug & play" connection. This means that your drive can be connected and disconnected
while the computer is running. To prevent failures, it is important you follow these steps when disconnecting your USB 2.0
device.
Windows Users
Important Note: Windows 98 SE Users: If you have installed the Windows Storage Supplement Update, you will
have to unmount the drive before disconnecting it or powering it down. If you have not installed the update, simply
disconnect the drive when it is not active. No unmounting is required.
1) From the System Tray (located in the lower right-hand side of your screen), click on the Eject
icon (a small green arrow over a hardware image).
2) A message will appear, detailing the devices that the Eject icon controls, i.e. "Safely remove…" Click on this prompt.
3) You will then be given the following message: "Safe to Remove Hardware" (or similar). It is now safe to disconnect the device.
Mac Users
You must unmount the hard drive system before disconnecting it or powering it down. Either:
• Drag the hard drive icon to the trash.
• Launch Silverlining Pro, highlight the hard drive and select “Unmount.”
The drive can now be disconnected.
Fig.4.1.4
Mac OS 9.x Mac OS 10.x

Helpful Informaion
LaCie mini
COMPANION HARD DRIVE
user manual | page 20
4.1.3. Data Transfers
Data transfers are the flow of data that accomplishes a task, usually related to moving data from storage to computer RAM or
between storage devices. During data transfers, it’s best to wait before launching other applications on the same USB 2.0
port. Anomalies may arise with computers that have USB 2.0 controllers* that do not conform to OHCI (Open Host Controller
Interface) standards. In any other configurations, we cannot ensure 100% correct operation. Due to this, you may encounter
hanging problems. If this happens, proceed as follows:
1) Make sure that the USB 2.0 cable is connected tightly and securely on both ends of the cable, from the drive to the
computer. If you are using a USB 2.0 cable other than the one supplied with your LaCie drive, check that it is USB 2.0
certified. The cable that is provided with your LaCie drive is USB 2.0 certified.
Warning! Do not connect USB 2.0 cables so that they form a ring of devices. There is no need for terminators on
USB 2.0 devices, so the unused USB 2.0 connectors should be left empty.
2) Check that the power supply and ground connection are seated properly.
3) Disconnect your computer’s USB 2.0 cable. Wait 30 seconds. Reconnect.
Tech Note: *Controller - This is a component or an electronic card (referred to in this case as a “controller card”) that
enables a computer to communicate with or manage certain peripherals. An external controller is an expansion
card which fills one of the free slots (i.e. PCI or PCMCIA) inside your PC and which enables a peripheral (i.e. CD-
R/RW drive, mini , scanner or printer) to be connected to the computer. If your computer is not equipped with a USB
2.0 controller card, you can purchase an external controller through LaCie. Contact your LaCie reseller or LaCie
Technical Support (6. Contacting Customer Support) for more information.