Vantec NextStar3 Superspeed User manual

U S E R ’ S M A N U A L
2.5" SATA to USB 3.0 & eSATA
External Hard Drive Enclosure

Package Contents:
12.5” NexStar 3 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 & eSATA Enclosure
2
3
USB 3.0 Cable
4
Installation Screws
eSATA Cable
User’s Manual
Note: When using eSATA, please make sure to connect the
eSATA cable first before connecting the Y-cable for power.
TRADEMARKS
MS-DOS, Microsoft, Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Apple, Macintosh and Mac are trademarks of Apple Computer.
NexStar is a registered trademark of Vantec Thermal Technologies.
*All other third-party brands and names are the property of their respective owners.
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U S E R ’ S M A N U A L
2.5" SATA to USB 3.0 & eSATA External Hard Drive Enclosure：
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1. Introduction ................................................................................................................02
2. Specifications/Features
....................................................03NexStar 3 Superspeed External 2.5” HDD Enclosure
NexStar 3 Superspeed External 2.5” HDD Enclosure
NexStar 3 Superspeed External 2.5” HDD Enclosure
NexStar 3 Superspeed External 2.5” HDD Enclosure
3. System Requirements..........................................................................................04
4. Parts Layout
....................................................05
5. Installation
5.1 Hardware Installation ..................................................................................................06
6. Disconnecting the NexStar 3
.........................................................09
7. Creating A New Partition ..................................................................................10
8. Warranty ...........................................................................................................................13
9. Contact ...............................................................................................................................13
Table of Contents
1
Table of Contents:

Introduction
2
NST-280SU3-BK
1. Introduction:
Form and functionality collide with style in the
NexStar 3 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 & eSATA
External Hard Drive Enclosure from Vantec.
With its mirror finish and sleek curves, the
Vantec NexStar 3 SuperSpeed stands out from
the crowd. The sturdy drive cage protects your
hard drive while the aluminum case effectively
draws away the heat, protecting your drive
from overheating. Integrated with the latest
USB 3.0 technology, performance is increased
by 10 fold offering maximum speeds of up to 5
Gbps. Quickly store and back-up your data with
the Vantec NexStar 3 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 &
eSATA External Hard Drive Enclosure.

Specifications/ Features
3
2. Specifications/Features:
Specifications:
• Model: NST-280SU3
• Device Support: SATA I/II (SSD, Hard Drive)
• Device Size: 2.5” (7mm, 9.5mm, 12.5mm)
• Internal Interface: SATA
*For the most updated Storage Capacity, please check our website: www.vantecusa.com
• External Interface: USB 3.0 & eSATA
• HD Capacity: Up to 1 TB*
• Material: Aluminum
• Dimension: 143 x 84 x 17mm
Features:
2.5" SATA to USB 3.0 & eSATA External Hard Drive Enclosure (Supports 7mm, 9.5mm, 12.5mm HDD/SSD)
Attractive Mirror Finish Design
Aluminum Casing Cools Down Your Hard Drive
Maximum Transfer Rates Up to 5 Gbps w/USB 3.0
Maximum Transfer Rates Up to 3Gbps w/eSATA
Maximum Transfer Rates Up to 480 Mbps w/USB 2.0
Easily Add Storage to Any System with USB 2.0, 3.0 or eSATA
Backwards-Compatible with USB 2.0
Hi-Quality Shielded USB 3.0 Cable Ensures Data Integrity and Speed
Supports ALL 2.5" Hard Drives (7mm, 9.5mm, 12.5mm, SSD)
Hot-Swappable: Plug & Play Without Rebooting
Attractive Blue LED Indicates Power & HDD Activity
eSATAUSB
eSATA Port

3. System Requirements:
System Requirements
4
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 Mac OS 10.4 & greater
1. For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must
support USB 2.0 specifications
2. For USB 3.0 speeds, the system must
support USB 3.0 specifications
1. For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must
support USB 2.0 specifications
2. For USB 3.0 speeds, the system must
support USB 3.0 specifications
USB 3.0 products will work with a USB 2.0 ports
however they will only function at USB 2.0
specifications.
USB-Equipped or eSATA System
3. USB-Equipped or eSATA System
3.
NOTE :

4. Parts Layout:
Parts Layout
5
2.5" SATA to USB 3.0 & eSATA External Hard Drive Enclosure
eSATA USB

5. Installation:
Installation
6
5.1. Hardware Installation:
2.5" SATA to USB 3.0 & eSATA External Hard Drive Enclosure
Remove the side of the NexStar3
SuperSpeed with the power and USB
connectionports.
Carefully slide out the hard drive caddy.
(1)
(2)
Preparing the NexStar 3:
(figure 5.1-A )

Installing the hard drive in the NexStar 3 SuperSpeed:
( figure 5.1-B )
( figure 5.1-C )
( figure 5.1-D )
( figure 5.1-C )
(2) Align the hard drive mounting holes with the
holes on the back of the drive caddy and secure
the hard drive with the screws provided.
Installation
7
( figure 5.1-B )
(1) Connect the SATA and power connector to
the hard drive as pictured.
( figure 5.1-D)
Insert the drive caddy back into the aluminum
housing. When reinserting the caddy, be sure
to align the caddy under the screw rails. Once
the caddy is placed, fasten the screws to
secure the caddy in the enclosure.
(3)

Installation
8
Connecting the NexStar 3 to your computer: NOTE :
For new hard drives, you will need to initialize and
partition your hard drive before it will appear in
Windows Explorer or on your Mac desktop. Please
refer to your hard drive manufacturer's documen-
tation or read the"Creating a New Partition" section
of this manual.
If you can see the USB icon in the system tray, but
no disk appears in “My Computer”, please
confirm that your hard disk is partitioned.
Connect the type (A) USB connector to the
NexStar 3 SuperSpeed and the type (A) USB
connector to an available USB port on your
system.
Once the NexStar 3 SuperSpeed has been
connected, the power should be drawn from
the USB port and your hard drive should begin
to spin up.
Your operating system should detect the
NexStar 3 SuperSpeed and automatically
install the necessary drivers. Once your
operating system finishes setting up the
NexStar 3, it will mount your hard drive. On
Mac OS systems, the new volume should
appear on desktop. On a Windows PC, the
new volume will appear under My Computer.
Your NexStar 3 SuperSpeed External Hard
Drive is now ready for use.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
( figure 5.1-E )
( figure 5.1-E )
USB 3.0
eSATA
Connect the eSATA to the NexStar and to an
available eSATA port on your system.
Power will be drawn from the USB cable. Please
be sure to connect the eSATA wire first before
connecting the USB cables.
Once the NexStar has been connected, the
power should be drawn from the USB port and
your hard drive should begin to spin up.
Your operating system should detect the
NexStar and automatically install the necessary
drivers. Once your operating system finishes
setting up the NexStar, it will mount your hard
drive. On Mac OS systems, the new volume
should appear on desktop. On a Windows PC,
the new volume will appear under My
Computer.
Your NexStar External Hard Drive is now ready
for use.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
eSATA
USB
USB 3.0 Cable
Optional USB 3.0
Y-Cable for Extra Power
or
eSATA Cable
When USB and eSATA are both connected at the
same time, the data connection will switch to
eSATA as first priority.
NOTE :
The USB 3.0 Y-Cable is there to provide extra
power to the hard drive. If your hard drive does
not spin up properly, please connect the extra USB
into an available USB port.

WARNING :
Windows XP/Vista/7:
6. Disconnecting the NexStar 3 SuperSpeed:
Disconnecting the NexStar 3
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NexStar 3 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 External 3.5" HDD Enclosure:
Mac OS:
Make sure all operations using the hard
drive within the NexStar 3 SuperSpeed
has ceased.
Close any windows and programs
pertaining to the NexStar 3
SuperSpeed.
Double click the green “Safely Remove
Hardware” icon in the system tray and
select [Safely Remove USB Mass
Storage Device]. Select the device you
wish to remove and click on [Stop]. The
system should prompt, “It is now safe
to remove the USB device.” If not, wait
for any programs still using the device
to finish and try again.
You may now safely turn off and
disconnect the NexStar 3 SuperSpeed.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Make sure all operations using the hard
drive within the NexStar 3 SuperSpeed
has ceased.
Close any windows and programs
pertaining to the NexStar 3
SuperSpeed.
From the Desktop, drag the NexStar 3
SuperSpeed hard drive to the trash.
You may now safely turn off and
disconnect the NexStar 3 SuperSpeed.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
NEVER remove the NexStar 3 SuperSpeed while the hard
drive is in use. Doing so may corrupt the data on the hard
drive or damage the hard drive, NexStar 3 SuperSpeed
and the computer.

Creating a New Partition
10
7. Creating A New Partition:
For Windows XP/ Vista/7 Users:
( figure 7-A )
( figure 7-B )
(figure 7-B )
(figure 7-A )
(figure 7-B )
Most hard drives should come with a CD that
includes an installation program. If not, a download
should be available from the manufacturer's
website. The best way to partition a new hard drive
is by using the manufacturer’s program. Please
refer to your hard drive’s documentation for further
information on formatting or partitioning the hard
drive.
Right click on “My Computer” and choose
“Manage”.
Under “Storage” on the LEFT pane, select
“Disk Management”.
Windows should now give you the option to
initialize the disk. If not, locate the new disk,
right-click on the new disk (where it reads
“Disk #”) and choose Initialize. This step may
not be required for some hard drives.
Go through the wizard.
Once complete, locate your hard drive in
the bottom right pane. Right click on the
area with a status bar (to the right of the
“Disk #” area) and choose New Partition.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
WARNING :
Doing the following setup will erase any existing
data on the drive.
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3
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NOTE :

Creating a New Partition
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( figure 7-C )
( figure 7-D ) ( figure 7-C )
( figure 7-D )
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VANTEC (E:)
2
VANTEC
2
1
3
Follow the directions of the wizard.
The recommended type is “primary” and
the recommended file system is “NTFS.”
Please note that Windows® XP/Vista/7
limits FAT32 partitions to only 32GB.
Windows Disk Management will format
and partition the disk according to your
settings. Please allow some time for the
partition and format to complete.
Once completed, your drive will appear
in My Computer or in Window Explorer.
(6)
(7)
(8)

Creating a New Partition
12
Formatting for Mac Users
WARNING :
( figure 7-E )
Connect the device to the computer. Once
connected please turn on the device.
Select Utilities from the Go menu in the
Finder menu bar.
Select Disk Utility which is in the Utilities
Folder.
When the Disk Utility window is open, select
the volume labeled Vantec Desktop Hard
Disk from the list of available hard drives on
the left side of the window.
Select the Partition tab.
From the Volume Scheme menu, choose the
desired number of partitions (Mac OS 10.x
gives you the option of dividing the drive
into at most 16 partitions). You may adjust
the size of each partition using the slide bar
between the partitions in the Volume
Scheme area.
In the Volume Information section, enter the
desired name for each volume (partition).
You may choose one of the following
volume format (Mac OS Extended, Mac OS
Standard, UNIX File System, or MS-DOS).
Once you have finalized the volume options,
click Partition. An alert message should
appear, click Partition again.
Mac Disk Utility will format and partition the
disk according to your settings. When
partitioning is complete, your drive will be
ready for use.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
If the hard drive will not mount on your system,
format the drive into FAT32 or NTFS partition
through a PC system first. Once formatted, connect
the NexStar Enclosure to your Mac and run the Disk
Utility Tool again. The Disk Utility Tool should be
able detect the hard drive and allowing you to
format or mount the hard drive.
Following these steps will erase the Hard Disk. If
you have data that you want to protect or
continue to use, please backup your data before
performing these steps.
NOTE :

Warranty/Contact
13
8. Warranty:
9. Contact :
Copyright © 2011 Vantec Thermal Technologies. All Right Reserved.
All Registered Trademarks Belong To TheirRespective Companies.
The NexStar 3 SuperSpeed comes with a 1
year limited warranty ( 90 day parts ) . If your
unit should become defective within that
time frame, please go to www.vantecusa.com
for information on how to receive warranty
exchange or repair. Cosmetic defects and
missing parts are not covered under this
warranty. Please check the contents of the
unit to make sure you received all parts. Also,
check for any cosmetic flaws. If any parts are
missing or if there are cosmetic defects,
please contact the retailer from which you
purchased the unit immediately and ask for a
replacement.
Vantec Thermal Technologies
www.vantecusa.com