Newer Technology miniStack MAX User manual

Owner’s Guide &
Assembly Manual

Newer Technology miniStack Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.1.1 Mac Requirements
1.1.2 PC Requirements
1.1.3 Supported Hard Drives
1.2 PACKAGE CONTENTS
1.3 USING THE NEWER TECHNOLOGY MINISTACK
1.3.1 Connecting the Newer Technology miniStack
1.3.2 Powering on the Newer Technology miniStack
1.3.3 LED Indicator
3 FORMATTING
6 TECHNICAL SUPPORT
6.1 BEFORE CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
6.2 TECHNICAL SUPPORT HOURS OF OPERATION
4 TROUBLESHOOTING & TIPS
3.1 MACINTOSH FORMATTING
3.2 REMOVING AN EXISTING GUID PARTITION
3.3 WINDOWS FORMATTING
5 APPENDIX
4.1 TROUBLESHOOTING
4.2 USAGE TIPS
5.1 FAQ
5.2 ABOUT DATA PROTECTION
2.1 ASSEMBLY OF THE NEWER TECHNOLOGY MINISTACK
2 ASSEMBLY

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 1 - Introduction
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 System Requirements
1.1.1 Mac Requirements
•Minimum PowerPC G4 CPU, 128MB RAM
•eSATA interface - Mac OS X 10.3 or later
•FireWire® interface - Mac OS X 10.2 or later
•USB 2.0 interface - Mac OS X 10.2 or later
•USB 3.0 interface - see your interface card manufacturer for specications
1.1.2 PC Requirements
•Minimum 500MHz Intel Pentium III CPU, 128MB RAM
•eSATA interface - Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7
•FireWire interface - Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7
•USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interface - Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7
1.1.3 Supported Hard Drives
•Any 3.5” SATA hard drive
•Any 3.5” SATA Solid State Drive (SSD) or 2.5” SSD with an adapter like the
NewerTech AdaptaDrive
1.2 Package Contents
Firmware, images, and descriptions may vary between this manual and the
unit shipped. Functions and features may change depending on the rm-
ware version. Visit the product webpage for the most recent specications.
➀ ➁
Item ______
➀ Newer Technology miniStack
➁ DC Power Transformer
➂ USB 3.0 Cable
➃ FireWire 800 Cable
➄ Software CD Bundle (not all models)
➅ Owner’s Manual
(Not pictured)
Screw Package (inside enclosure)
Owner’s Manual
➅
➃➂
➄

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 1 - Introduction
Cable Connections:
The Newer Technology miniStack has multiple interfaces to work with any
computer system.
➀ On/O Switch - Turn the Newer Technology miniStack on and o here.
➁ DC IN port - Plug the included DC power transformer here.
➂ USB 3.0 Port - Connect one of your computer’s USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports to
the Newer Technology miniStack here using the included cable.
➃ eSATA Port - Use with your eSATA interface for high speed connection.
NOTE: Cable not included.
➄ FireWire 800 Ports - Connect one FireWire 800 port to your computer
using the included cable and use the other FireWire 800 port to connect
additional peripherals.
1.3.2 Powering on the Newer Technology miniStack
To use the Newer Technology miniStack, connect your preferred interface
cable to the drive and the computer. Turn the power switch to the ON
position, and verify the LED on the front of the drive is illuminated.
Your drive should mount on your computer’s desktop.
1.3.3 LED Indicator
The Newer Technology miniStack has a single LED at the front of the hard
drive enclosure. It will illuminate when powered on, and ash during drive
activity (both reading and writing).
1.3.1 Connecting the Newer Technology miniStack
1.3 Using the Newer Technology miniStack
➃➄ ➂➀ ➁
NOTE: You will need to assemble your drive into your miniStack, and format
it before using.

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 2 - System Setup
2 SYSTEM SETUP
This guide will get you up and running quickly, demonstrating how to
install your own drive into the Newer Technology miniStack enclosure.
Your computer is a static-sensitive device.
It is susceptible to invisible damage if not
protected during installation.
We recommend proper grounding by using
a grounding strap. Make sure to work in a
clean and static-free area, and avoid wearing
clothing that retains static charges.
For more information, please visit
http://www.newertech.com/static
Got tools? If you don’t have the tools necessary to complete this
installation, Newer Technology has a fantastic toolkit with everything you
need included to perform this installation, and most common computer
hardware installations.
It’s available at:
http://www.newertech.com/products/11pctoolset.php

➀
Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 2 - System Setup
2.1 Hard Drive Assembly & Installation
Remove the Newer Technology miniStack from the box. You will notice that
there is a clear protective plastic sheet attached to the top of the enclosure.
Turn the Newer Technology miniStack over placing the top on a soft work
surface, such as a towel.
Remove the 4 Phillips screws at the corners of the miniStack.
➁

➂
➃
Turn the miniStack over and place the bottom on the work surface. Lift the
top cover o of the miniStack, exposing the internal chassis.
Untape the plastic bag with assembly screws from the inner chassis.
Make sure that the hard drive you wish to install (sold separately) is handy
and remove the screws from the bag.

➅
➄
Place your drive into the chassis of the miniStack. There are 2 rubber
coated mounting tabs with screwholes on the side closest to you in this
photograph, and a tab with a plastic detent on it that will lock the drive into
the chassis on the center of the drive on the opposite side. You will need to
set the drive into this detent in the tab to insert the drive.
Insert 2 of the Phillips screws from the plastic bag into the drive enclosure
securing the hard drive through the screwholes.
Turn the enclosure so that the side of the hard drive with the connecting
ports are visible. Insert the SATA and power cables into the hard drive. They
are keyed to only go in one direction.
Place the top cover back onto the miniStack.

➆
➇
Turn the enclosure over onto it’s top again on a soft work surface.
Use the remaining 2 Phillips screws from the plastic bag and insert them
into the center of the drive enclosure above the Newer Technology label,
securing the hard drive into the chassis.
Replace the 4 Phillips screws that you removed initially to secure the top
cover to the chassis.
The assembly of your miniStack is complete. Remove the clear plastic
overlay from the top cover.
Continue on to format your new storage solution.

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
3 FORMATTING
3.1 Formatting your Newer Technology miniStack on a Macin-
tosh with OS X (For a new drive, or to reformat an old drive)
If you are not formatting a brand new hard drive, you will have to manually
Open Disk Utility, which is found in your /Applications/Utilities folder.
Select the device with no volumes attached to it; in this picture, that would
be the 3 TB Newer Technology device. Click on the drive icon next to the
text. If your miniStack was previously formatted, there will be a volume
already attached to the device in the red circle above.
You will destroy all data on that drive by reformatting!
➀
If you have installed a new drive into your Newer Technology miniStack, the
rst time you turn it on you will see the following dialog box appear. Click
on “Initialize” to continue.

Once you’ve selected the Newer Technology device, you will notice the
above change in the Disk Utility application. Click on the “Partition” tab in
this picture.
You then need to choose how many partitions you wish your Newer
Technology miniStack to have. For ease of use we’re selecting one partition
here but of course you could select more if you wish to have multiple
volumes created.
Simply use the pulldown menu under Volume Scheme to create more
partitions.
➂
Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
➁

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
➃
➀ Choose a name for the volume. You will need to repeat this step for each
volume if you selected multiple partitions.
➁ Click on the Customize button and the following dialog box will appear:
Choose the partition scheme appropriate for your computer; most will
choose GUID Partition Table. Click “OK”.
➀
➁ ➂
➂ Click on the Apply button and the following dialog box will appear:
Click “Partition” to complete the formatting process and partiton the drive.
This will take a few moments to complete.

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
Once the formatting process has completed, you will have a popup box
appear asking if you wish to use the new device as a Time Machine volume.
This is up to you to decide; if you don’t want to make that decision right
now, you can click “Decide Later” and use the Time Machine preference
pane to select your Newer Technology miniStack at a later time.
➅
Formatting is complete, you’re all set! You can quit Disk Utility.
➄

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
2.2 Removing the GUID Partition Scheme
Only for XP, 2000, ME and earlier. (XP 64-BIT, Vista & Windows 7 can continue to the next section)
➆ Type exit and hit enter.
➇ Close the command prompt window.
You may now proceed with formatting the drive.
If you are not installing a brand-new hard drive into your enclosure, it
may have a GUID drive partition already installed on it, especially if it
was originally used with a Macintosh. Unfortunately, this is not readable
by older versions of Windows without special software. If you wish to use
your storage solution on a computer running Windows, you will need to
repartition and reformat using the following instructions.
➀ Go to the DOS command prompt by
selecting “Run” from the Start Menu.
➁ Type cmd into the text box, and click
the“OK” button.
➂ Type diskpart and hit enter.
➃ Type list disk and hit enter.
➄ Type select disk xreplacing xwith the number of the disk you want
to reformat. (Typically, you will see an asterisk (*) under “GPT” for the disk
requiring formatting.)
➅ Type clean and hit enter.
WARNING: The clean command will destroy ALL data on the disk you run it on!!! Be sure
there is nothing you need to keep on your drive before proceeding.

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
2.3 Formatting your Newer Technology miniStack on Windows
2000 and later
Instructions for other operating systems can be found at http://www.newertech.com/format.
① With the miniStack connected to the
computer and powered on, right-click on the
“My Computer” (“Computer” if running Vista or
Windows 7) icon and select “Manage” from the
menu. The “Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard”
window should appear.
If the Wizard does not appear, expand the
Storage menu by clicking
on the plus (+) sign. Then,
right click next to the disk
number of the drive that
you have just connected
and click Initialize to bring
up the Wizard.
② In the next window,
there should be only one
drive listed. That will be the
drive that you connected
via eSATA, FireWire or USB. Make sure the box next to the drive
name is checked and click
“Next.”
③ The Wizard will perform
its tasks, and you will see the
following screen. You may
click “Finish.”
IMPORTANT NOTE: This procedure will erase all data on your hard
disk drive in the Newer Technology miniStack. Back up any impor-
tant data before proceeding!

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
④ Your drive will
appear similar to
how Disk 1 does
below. Notice that
the space on the
lower right reads
as “Unallocated.”
Right click in this
space and choose
“New Partition.”
⑤ The “New Parti-
tion Wizard” will
launch. Click “Next” to
continue.
⑥ Specify your partition type as
“Primary,” and click “Next.”
⑦ The wizard will display the
maximum partition size for your
drive. It is strongly recommend-
ed that you do not change the
default value. Click “Next”

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
⑧ If you like, you can specify
the drive letter designation for
your new drive. Otherwise, one
will automatically be assigned.
Click “Next.”
⑨ Before you can
use the drive, it must
be formatted. On
most systems run-
ning Windows 2000 or
later, it is advisable to
specify the le system
as NTFS. Leave the
Allocation unit size as
“Default,” and feel free
to give the drive what-
ever name you prefer.
Be sure to check the
box “Perform a quick format”.
If you do not, it will likely take several hours for your drive to format.
Click “Next.”
⑩ At the end of the
Wizard, you will see
a summary of the
information that you
specied during the
previous steps. Click
“Finish.”

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
⑪ Once you have
nished with the
formatting wizard,
you will see that
your new drive
(represented as
“Disk E” in this
case) will display
a message of
“Formatting.” This
should only take
a couple of min-
utes if you chose
the quick format
option.
⑫ After a moment
or two, the drive’s
status will change
from “Formatting”
to “Healthy.”

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 3 - Formatting
⑬ At this point, you may close the Computer Management win-
dow. Your drive is ready to use and can be found in “My Computer.”
Using your new Storage Solution on both Macs and PCs?
MacDrive™ takes the guesswork out of sharing les. Whether you are transfer-
ring les between home and the oce, a class room lab and your dorm room
or even on the same computer, MacDrive makes it painless.
In fact, you’ll hardly know MacDrive is working.
Once installed MacDrive will automati-
cally give you access to any Mac disk you
pop into your computer. MacDrive even
puts an “apple” icon on the Mac disk, just
to keep things clear.
You can access les on the Mac disk just
like you would with a Windows format-
ted disk. Open les from the disk or from
within a program. Mac les automati-
cally get the right icons and le name
extensions under both Windows and
Mac OS.
Works great with software from Mi-
crosoft, Adobe, Quark, FileMaker, Avid,
Digidesign, Corel, NewTek and more.
You can nd MacDrive at:
http://www.macsales.com/macdrive

Newer Technology miniStack Chapter 4 -Troubleshooting & Tips
4 TROUBLESHOOTING & TIPS
4.1 Troubleshooting
Some of the most simple problems can be traced to power or connectivity
issues. Verify that your cables (both ends!) are properly plugged into the
computer and storage solution. If they are, and the storage solution is still
not working properly, try connecting to another interface to see if the de-
vice works properly. If these suggestions do not work, try connecting /*the
NewerTech miniStack to a dierent computer, if available to you.
If the power light is on the front of the Newer Technology miniStack is not
turning on, try a dierent interface.
4.2 Tips
To properly unmount any connected hard drives from your computer, you
need to follow a few simple steps.
• For Macintosh systems:
There are a few methods to umount disks with Macintosh systems. Either
drag the icon for the hard disk you wish to unmount to the trash can, or
click the eject icon next to the hard disk name under the “DEVICES” tab in
the sidebar in any nder window, or right click and choose eject from the
popup menu that will appear.
• For Windows systems:
1. Go to the System Tray (located in the lower right corner 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”.
It is now safe to disconnect the Newer Technology miniStack.