TrekStor USB-Storage 2.0 User manual

DataStation
User’s Manual

Contents
1 Getting Started 1
1.1 Introduction ..................................... 1
1.2 PartsList ...................................... 2
1.3 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 HDD assembly (only for the ’kit’ version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Installation 5
2.1 Installing the driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1.1 Windows 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1.2 Windows ME/2000/XP/2003, Linux 2.4.x, MacOS 10.2.x . . . . . . . . 6
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Contents
2.2 Connecting the DataStation to a computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.1 The 2.5 inch version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.2 The 3.5 inch version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3 Using the DataStation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.4 Disconnecting the DataStation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.4.1 Windows................................... 11
2.4.2 Mac ..................................... 11
3 Technical background / Troubleshooting 13
3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.2 Filesystems ..................................... 14
3.2.1 FAT32.................................... 15
3.2.2 NTFS .................................... 16
3.2.3 Criteria for choosing between FAT32 and NTFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3 Partitioning and formatting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3.1 Using the Paragon Partition Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.3.2 Windows 98/98SE/ME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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Contents
3.3.3 Windows 2000/XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.4 Booting from the DataStation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.4.1 Windows 9x/ME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.4.2 Windows 2000/XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.5 Optimizing USB 2.0 connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.5.1 What is USB 2.0? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.5.2 USB cable and connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.5.3 USB 2.0 host adapter and performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.6 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
3.6.1 Frequent problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
A Warranty 41
A.1 General Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
B Notes 43
B.1 Liability ....................................... 43
B.2 Trademark...................................... 43
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Contents
B.3 Precautions ..................................... 44
B.4 Generalcare ..................................... 44
B.5 Copyright ...................................... 45
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1 Getting Started
1.1 Introduction
Thank you for choosing TrekStor‘s DataStation. We are sure that our product will meet your
expectations. The DataStation is a removable hard disk to be used for data exchange between
computers, as a supplemental hard disk for great amount of data or for backups.
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1 Getting Started
1.2 Parts List
TrekStor DataStation contents:
1. DataStation (with optional hard disk)
2. Driver CD
3. User’s Manual (in some cases on CD)
Additional parts - pocket version (2.5”):
1. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Y-cable
2. Protective cover
Additional parts - maxi version (3.5”):
1. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable
2. Power adapter
3. Stand for vertical placement
1.3 System Requirements
1. Microsoft
r
WindowsTM 98/Me/2000/XP, MacOS 10.2 or higher, Linux 2.4.x or higher
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1.4 HDD assembly (only for the ’kit’ version)
2. PC with free USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 port
3. CD-ROM drive
4. 64 MB RAM or more
5. 20 MB free hard disk space
Technical Advice: In order to reach maximum transfer rates, the device has to be
connected to an USB 2.0 host adapter. If it is connected to an USB 1.1 interface,
the transfer rate will be limited to USB 1.1 speed.
1.4 HDD assembly (only for the ’kit’ version)
If you have not acquired the ’kit’ version of this device, i.e. without integrated hard disk, you may want to skip this paragraph.
In case of the ’kit’ version, a suitable hard disk (according to the casing) has to be built in. Be aware that the casing of the
DataStation with built-in hard disk must not be opened, otherwise the warranty is null and void (see Appendix A).
1. remove the screws (if there are any) from the sides of the casing. Use a screwdriver of appropriate size.
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1 Getting Started
2. Now you can carefully remove the rear panel which is connected to a card. The card will come off together with the panel.
3. (3.5 inch version): connect the hard disk both to the IDE port and to the power supply. Make sure all plugs are connected
properly. Screw the hard disk to the card from underneath using the provided screws.
4. (2.5 inch version): plug the hard disk directly into the 44-pin IDE port on the card.
5. Close the casing and tighten it using the provided screws.
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2 Installation
2.1 Installing the driver
2.1.1 Windows 98
Windows 98 is the only operating system that requires manual installation of a driver. You find
it on the driver CD:
 Insert the driver CD into your CD-ROM-drive.
 In the appearing TrekStor menu, click the button named ’Driver Windows 98’ .
 Follow the instructions.
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2 Installation
Do not connect the DataStation to your computer before installing the driver.
2.1.2 Windows ME/2000/XP/2003, Linux 2.4.x, MacOS 10.2.x
For these operating systems you don’t have to install a driver. It is loaded automatically, as long
as Windows 2000 is upgraded with Service-Pack 3 and Windows XP with Service-Pack 1.
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2.2 Connecting the DataStation to a computer
2.2 Connecting the DataStation to a computer
2.2.1 The 2.5 inch version
Only for users of the DataStation - 2.5 inch version.
The provided USB Y-cable has one mini-USB connector and two USB-A connectors. The USB-A
connector with two cables on it is used for data transfer as well as for power supply of the station.
In some cases one single USB-A connector might not supply enough power. Therefore the second
USB-A connector (with only one cable on it) is intended for supplemental power supply. To ensure
correct operation of the DataStation also plug the second USB-A connector into an USB-port.
IMPORTANT: TrekStor recommends to always connect both USB-A connectors.
Insufficient power supply as it may occur with only one USB-A connector plugged in,
may result in loss of data or even mechanical failure of the hard-drive. TrekStor is not
liable for any damage to the DataStation resulting from insufficient power supply.
Make sure the USB Y-cable is plugged in properly to ensure a save connection.
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2 Installation
2.2.2 The 3.5 inch version
Only for users of the DataStation - 3.5 inch version.
The power adapter comes with two cables: the one fixed to the adapter has to be plugged into
the matching jack on the rear panel of the DataStation , the other one has to be plugged both
into the power adapter and into a power outlet. On the rear panel you will also find a power
switch. Use it to switch the hard disk on and off.
ATTENTION: Only use the provided power adapter. Do not use a power adapter of
a different TrekStor-product or from a different manufacturer. Using a different power
adapter may result in damage of this product and voids the warranty. Always unplug
the power adapter when transporting this product, otherwise damage may occur and
the warranty is null and void.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As the provided power adapter of this TrekStor product
switches automatically between 100V and 240V, it can also be used abroad. Even-
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2.2 Connecting the DataStation to a computer
tually, you have to buy an adapter plug or an adequate power cable. TrekStor will not
be liable for damage resulting from unappropriate adapters or cables.
Connect the provided USB 2.0 cable to the DataStation and to your computer. Check the correct
orientation of the cable and make sure it is plugged in properly to ensure a save connection.
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2 Installation
2.3 Using the DataStation
Make sure the driver is installed (if necessary for your operating system - see chapter 2.1), the
DataStation is connected to your computer and it is switched on (see chapter 2.2).
Provided the right file system, the TrekStor hard-drive will appear under ’My Computer’ with
with a new drive letter. Under Windows Explorer you may now move, copy or delete files simply
by drag and drop.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If the file-system of the DataStation is not compatible with
the version of your operating system, it might not appear as a new drive. For example,
the NTFS file system is not supported by Microsoft Windows 98SE, Windows ME
and by Apple Mac OS. Of course you will be able to use the DataStation anyway. For
detailed information on file-systems and preparing your hard-drive to work with your
operating system see chapter 3.2.
NOTICE: It may take a few seconds until your computer has detected your drive
and assigned a letter to it.
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2.4 Disconnecting the DataStation
2.4 Disconnecting the DataStation
2.4.1 Windows
Under Windows 2000/ME/XP there’s a symbol ’Unplug or Eject Hardware’ in the System
Tray on the right hand side of your Taskbar (bottom right under the clock). Double-click it, select
’USB Mass Storage Device’ and confirm with ’stop’ .
Under Windows 98 go to ’Start’ ! ’Settings’ ! ’Control Panel’ and open ’System’ . Click
the ’Device Manager’ tab. Look for the DataStation under ’Disk drives’ , right-click it and
select ’Remove’ . Confirm with ’Ok’ . Now you can safely disconnect the drive from your compu-
ter.
2.4.2 Mac
Remove the drive’s icon from your desktop, before disconnecting it or switching it off. To do so,
just drag the icon into the ’trash-can’ .
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3 Technical background / Troubleshooting
3.1 Introduction
For storing data, every hard-disk has to be partitioned, a primary and eventually extended parti-
tions have to be created on the disk, and a file system has to be assigned to it. A different drive
letter is assigned to each partition.
Next, the partitions have to be formatted in order to store data. When formatting a partition the
operating system deletes any data, checks all sectors marking damaged ones so they won’t be
used and reserves a certain amount of disk-space besides the Data Region where the actual data
is stored. Therefore formatting hard-drives reduces the available disk-space. How much depends
on the system but it generally reduces only by a few percent.
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3 Technical background / Troubleshooting
Moreover the units ’MB’ and ’GB’ frequently cause confusion as the theoretical size depends on
whether binary or decimal multipliers are used. That’s why 1 MB may be equal to 1000 KB or
1 MB = 1024 KB (and correspondingly 1 KB = 1000 Bytes or 1 KB = 1024 Bytes). A 128 MB
storage can thus vary between 128.000.000 Bytes and 134.217.728 Bytes. The capacity of big
hard disks as sold today may differ by several GBs.
If you are interested in this topic refer to WikiPedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byte.
3.2 File systems
The following explanations of FAT32 and NTFS may help you to choose the adequate file sys-
tem.
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