OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro User manual

Assembly Manual
OWC™ Mercury Elite-AL Pro™ Dual mini

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.1.1 Mac® Requirements
1.1.2 PC Requirements
1.2 PACKAGE CONTENTS
1.3 ABOUT THIS MANUAL
1.4 PORT VIEW & CABLE CONNECTIONS
1.5 DETAILED VIEW
1.5.1 Front Activity Light View
2 SYSTEM SETUP
5 APPENDIX
6 CUSTOMER SERVICE
6.1 BEFORE CONTACTING CUSTOMER SERVICE
6.2 CONTACT INFORMATION
2.1 HARD DRIVE ASSEMBLY
2.2 RAID CONFIGURATION
2.3 CONNECTIONS TO COMPUTER
3 FORMATTING
3.1 MACINTOSH FORMATTING
3.2 REMOVING AN EXISTING GUID PARTITION
3.3 WINDOWS FORMATTING
4 TROUBLESHOOTING & TIPS
4.1 TROUBLESHOOTING
4.2 USAGE TIPS
5.1 FAQ
5.2 ABOUT DATA PROTECTION
Thank you for purchasing the OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini.
We’re condent that it will provide years of high performance service
for your storage and backup needs. This manual contains information
on how to install the drives of your choice into the enclosure, set the
desired RAID level (0.1, or Span), format and connect your new storage
solution to your computer.
Should you require additional support after reading this manual along
with helpful tips and FAQs, please see the inside back page for OWC
customer support options.

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini 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
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 interface, Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7
1.2 Package Contents
➀
➁➂
➄
➃
➅
➆
Assembly Manual
OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini
➇
1.3 About This Manual
Firmware, images, and descriptions may vary slightly between this manual
and the unit shipped. Functions and features may change depending on
the rmware version. Please visit the product webpage for the most recent
specications.
Item
➀ OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual
mini
➁ 18” Flexible eSATA cable
➂ 18” USB 2.0 (A-B) cable
➃ Software CD Bundle
➄ User Guide & Owner’s Manual
➅ Screws to attach hard drives
➆ 18” FireWire 800 to 12V Power cable
➇ 18” FireWire 800 (1394B) cable

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.4 Port View & Cable Connections
➀ ➁ ➂ ➃ ➄ ➅
The OWC Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini comes equipped with multiple
connection interfaces to ensure the maximum computer compatibility
and portability.
FireWire
The Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini features two FireWire 800 ports ➀ and one
FireWire 400 port ➁. FireWire 800 provides speeds up to 100 MB/sec and
FireWire 400 provides speeds up to 50 MB/sec.
The use of FireWire does not require any auxiliary power source as each port
carries enough bus power to run the Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini directly
from the computer’s FireWire port.
FireWire also has the ability to daisy-chain or connect multiple FireWire
devices together through one FireWire connection to the computer. OWC
recommends having only one bus-powered device in the chain due to the
limited amount of power a single FireWire port can provide. If a FireWire 400
device is chained with FireWire 800 devices, all devices will throttle down to
FireWire 400 speeds.
USB
The Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini features one USB mini port ➂ that provides
speeds up to 60 MB/s.
The USB connection cannot carry enough power for the Mercury Elite-AL
Dual mini, so the use of the optional AC power adapter is needed to con-
nect to the DC In power port ➅.
Please see Section 4.2: Tips for information on purchasing the optional AC
power adapter.

eSATA
The fastest connection on the Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini is the eSATA con-
nection (4), which provides speeds up to 300 MB/sec.
eSATA is not a powered connection and requires the use of an auxiliary
power source such as the included FireWire 800 to 12V cable or the optional
AC power adapter to connect to the DC In power port ➅. While connected
via eSATA, the Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini can also be powered by utilizing
any of the FireWire 800/400 ports. In this scenario, the Mercury Elite-AL Dual
mini senses both the eSATA and FireWire connections and utilizes the eSATA
for data and the FireWire for power only.
Power Switch
It is recommended to always utilize the On/O power switch ➄ to ensure
proper startup and shutdown of the Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini when
connecting and disconnecting from the computer. OWC recommends
attaching the data and power cables before switching the power on. When
disconnecting, make sure to unmount and then turn o the Mercury Elite-
AL Dual mini before disconnecting the data and power cables.
1.5 Front Activity Light View
The Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini features two multi-color LED indicator
lights. The left light corresponds to the left drive, with the right light cor-
responding to the right drive. Each LED light will illuminate red or blue in
color to indicate dierent activities.
Normal
Operation Solid blue for
power
Flashing blue for
activity
Drive 1 LED Drive 2 LED
Flashing blue for
activity
Solid blue for
power
Two Drive
Failure Solid red for
failure
Drive 2 LED
Solid red for
failure
Drive 1 LED
Drive
Failure Solid red for
failure
Drive 1 LED Drive 2 LED
Flashing blue for
activity
Solid blue for
power
(Drive 1 in this example)
Drive
Rebuild Flashing blue for
rebuild activity
Steady ashing red
for rebuild
Drive 1 LED Drive 2 LED
Flashing blue for
activity
Solid blue for
power
(Drive 1 in this example)

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 2 - System Setup
2 SYSTEM SETUP
This guide will get you up and running quickly, demonstrating how
to install your own 2.5” hard drives into the OWC Mercury Elite-AL
Pro Dual mini 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.macsales.com/static
Got tools? If you don’t have the tools necessary to complete
this installation, Newer Technology has a fantastic toolkit with ev-
erything you need included to perform this installation, and most
common computer hardware installations.
It’s available at:
http://www.macsales.com/tools

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 2 - System Setup
2.1 Hard Drive Assembly & Installation
Using a Phillips P0 screwdriver, remove the 2 screws that hold the rear back-
plane cover to the enclosure.
2 SYSTEM SETUP
➀
➁
Once the screws are removed, the rear backplane cover will easily come o.
Set it aside to continue.

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 2 - System Setup
2.1 Hard Drive Assembly & Installation (continued)
2 SYSTEM SETUP
➂
From the rear of the enclosure, press inwards on the rear ports to slide the
inner chassis out towards the front of the enclosure.
Once the inner chassis is removed from the outer shell, you will see where
your 2.5” SATA drives will attach to the bridge card.
➃
➙

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 2 - System Setup
2.1 Hard Drive Assembly & Installation (continued)
2 SYSTEM SETUP
Place your drive mechanisms onto the bridge card, and press the drives
towards the ports to rmly ax the drives into the SATA connectors.
➄
With your ngers holding the drive mechanisms into the enclosure, ip it
over onto the top so you can see the screw holes that you will need to use
in the next step.
➅
➙
➙

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 2 - System Setup
2.1 Hard Drive Assembly & Installation (concluded)
2 SYSTEM SETUP
➆ Using the included
screws from the plastic bag,
attach the drive mechanisms
to the enclosure through the
rubber grommets using your
Phillips P0 screwdriver.
It is recommended that you
start using 2 screws in each
drive, and not fully tighten
them until all 8 screws are
started into the drive mecha-
nisms.
Once you have installed the
drive mechanisms, simply slide
the inner chassis back through the
outer shell. The outer shell can be
installed in either direction, but
there is a notch on one side that al-
lows the back plate to t properly.
If your case gets turned around
and the back plate does not t cor-
rectly, try reinstalling it from the other side.
Then, place the rear port
cover onto the back of the
enclosure, and attach it using
the 2 Phillips screws and your
Phillips P0 screwdriver you
removed to begin the process.
➇
➈
RAID Conguration Note:
Before proceeding further, look at the next page of this manual, Section 2.2
RAID Conguration and conrm that the enclosure is properly congured
for the RAID type that you wish to use.
Failure to do this step before assembling the enclosure will result in you
having to dissasemble the unit to congure the RAID.

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 2 - System Setup
2 SYSTEM SETUP
2.2 RAID Conguration
To adjust the RAID conguration on your OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual
mini, you need to gain access to the internal bridge board. Visit Section
2.1; Hard Drive Assembly & Installation to review the basic steps in this
procedure.
MODE SW#1 SW#2 SW#3
SPAN OFF OFF ON
RAID 0 OFF ON OFF
RAID 1 OFF ON ON
Once you remove the back of the OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini, you
will be able to see the red DIP Switch block at the rear of the bridge card,
next to the power switch. You need to adjust the DIP switches to change the
RAID mode. Note that ON is UP, or towards the INSIDE of the enclosure.

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 2 - System Setup
2 SYSTEM SETUP
2.2 RAID Conguration (continued)
The OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini is able to utilize the 2 hard drives
in 3 dierent RAID modes; Disk Spanning (SPAN), Disk Striping (RAID-0), or
Disk Mirroring (RAID-1). You need to choose the RAID mode that suits your
needs properly.
Disk Spanning
The drives show up as one large single volume. The total size will depend
on the drives installed, you can use drives of dierent capacities. Spanning
is an array (not RAID) that is written sequentially to, across the hard drives.
By itself, it does not provide any performance or redundancy benets.
Disk Striping (RAID 0)
The drives show up as one large (single) volume. It is highly recommended
to use identical hard drives for this RAID method. However, you can utilize
drives of dierent capacity, but realize that the RAID size will be based on
the smallest capacity total of the drives used in the RAID set.
Disk Mirroring (RAID 1)
The drives show up as one volume, but only 50% of the total capacity can
be used. It is highly recommended to use identical hard drives for this RAID
method. However,while you can utilize drives of dierent capacity, the
RAID size will be based on the smallest capacity total of the drives used
in the RAID set. RAID 1 creates an exact copy (or “mirror”) of a set of data
on the second drive. This is useful when reliability and backup are more
important than capacity. When one drive fails, it can be replaced and the
data rebuilt.
Storage Capacity Data Safety Performance
Storage Capacity Data Safety Performance
Storage Capacity Data Safety Performance

2.3 Computer Connections
Please see the previous section which details the dierent interface
options available to you with your OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini.
Choose which interface you wish to connect to your computer, connect
that interface and then you need to format the hard drives you just
installed into your new OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini enclosure.
Proceed to the next page to learn how to do that.
Important Note! You can connect multiple drives together using either
of the FireWire connections. No other interface type supports this type of
“daisy chain” connection. If you connect a FireWire 400 device, all devices
connected via the FireWire bus, including FireWire 800 drives, will be re-
duced to the maximum speed of FireWire 400.
OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 2 - System Setup
2 SYSTEM SETUP

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 3 - Formatting
3 FORMATTING
3.1 Formatting your OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini on a
Macintosh with Mac OS X
Open the Disk Utility application, which is located in /Applications/Utilities
Select the device with no volumes attached to it; in this picture, that would
be the 320.07 GB OWC device. Click on the picture of the drive icon next to
the text.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This procedure will erase all data on your hard
disk drives in the OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini. Back up any
important data before proceeding!
➀

Once you’ve selected the OWC device, you will notice the above change in
the Disk Utility application. Click on the “Erase” tab in this picture.
You then need to name the volume that you want to format, and erase it.
Name the volume as you want, choose the Volume Format pulldown (Mac
OS Extended (Journaled) is default), and click the Erase button.
➂
OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 3 - Formatting
➁

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 3 - Formatting
Click the erase button to conrm you wish to erase the disk.
After a few moments, the erase command will complete and the OWC
Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini volume will mount on your desktop. You can
quit Disk Utility, you’re all set!
➄
➃

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 3 - Formatting
3.2 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 your OWC Mercury Elite-AL Dual mini was formatted for use on a
Macintosh, it will not be readable by 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 instruc-
tions.
➀ Go to the DOS command prompt by
selecting “Run” from the Start Menu.
➁ Type in cmd in text box, and hit the“OK”
button.
➂ Type diskpart and hit enter.
➃ Type list disk and hit enter.
➄ Type select disk x replacing x with 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 running any of these commands.

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 3 - Formatting
3.3 Formatting your OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini on
Windows 2000 and later
Instructions for other operating systems can be found at http://www.macsales.com/format.
➀ With the drive connected to the computer
and powered on, right click on the “My Com-
puter” 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 con-
nected and click Initialize to
bring up the Wizard.
➁ 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.”
➂ The Wizard will perform
its tasks, and you will get the
following screen. You may
click “Finish.”
IMPORTANT NOTE: This procedure will erase all data on your hard
disk drives in the OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini. Back up any
important data before proceeding!

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 3 - Formatting
➃ 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.”
➄ The “New Partition
Wizard” will launch.
Click “Next” to con-
tinue.
➅ Specify your partition type as
“Primary,” and click “Next.”
➆ 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”

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual mini Chapter 3 - Formatting
➇ If you like, you can specify
the drive letter designation for
your new drive. Otherwise, one
will automatically be assigned.
Click “Next.”
➈ Before you can use
the drive, it must be
formatted. On most
systems running Win-
dows 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 whatever name
you prefer. Be sure to
check the box “Perform
a quick format”.
If you do not check the “Perform a quick format” box, it will take
several hours for your drive to format. Click “Next.”
➉ At the end of the
Wizard, you will see
a summary of the
information that you
specied during the
previous steps. Click
“Finish.”