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USB Storage - The easy hard drive

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Q: Why is it taking so long to transfer my data?
A: Several factors may influence the time it takes to transfer your data:
  • A drive in an external enclosure, connected through USB ports, will have a slower transfer rate than drives connected internally. A drive attached to a USB 1.1 port operates much slower than when attached to a USB 2.0 port. The transfer rate specifications are as follows:
       USB 1.1 12 Mbits per second
       USB 2.0 480Mbits per second
  • Size of files being transferred
  • Running other applications during the transfer process
  • The file system used (NTFS, FAT32, Extended)
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Q: What are the system requirements needed to use this USB Storage device?
A:
  • Windows 2000/XP/Vista computer and available USB ports
  • Mac computer with System 9.2.2 (or better) or OS 10.x.x and available USB ports
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Q: Does the backup software work under Windows Vista?
A: Yes
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Q: Why isn’t the USB drive detected on my system?
A: The drive ships pre-formatted using the FAT32 file system. If you are unable to “see” the drive within “My Computer” (or on the Mac desktop), troubleshoot the issue using the following procedure:

First, verify that the USB cable on the drive is connected to a USB port, power is applied and the power switch is set to ON (if using the External USB drive). If possible, verify the hardware integrity by trying another USB port connection on your PC (do not use the USB ports on your keyboard or monitor), or attaching it to another computer.

Note on Portable USB Storage products: The USB ports on some notebook PCs supply insufficient power for the drive to operate properly. This results in the drive being undetected by the operating system. Ensure the Portable USB Storage product is receiving sufficient power through the USB ports by attaching both USB cable connectors to your notebook PC. In addition, ensure your notebook PC is using AC power. If your notebook PC battery is low, this could result in similar symptoms.

Second, ensure all operating system updates are applied.
  • In Windows OS: Select “Windows Update” from the Start menu (or IE Tools menu) and follow the instructions.
  • On a Mac system: Select “Software Update…” from the Apple menu and follow the instructions.

Next, in Windows OS, verify a ‘USB Mass Storage Device’ appears in Device Manager under the Universal Serial Bus controllers section. Also, verify the disk drive appears under the Disk drives section.

Finally, verify the drive setup within the Disk Management utility in XP/2000/Vista (or Disk Utility on a Mac). If the drive appears unallocated, partition and format it by right-clicking on the unallocated space and selecting New Partition. Within the Mac OS, Initialize and Mount it using the Disk Utility.

If problems persist, contact the Hitachi technical support center.
Phone: 888-426-5214
Email: support_usa@hitachigst.com
Web: http://www.hitachigst.com/support
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Q: What drivers do I need and where can I get them?
A: The External USB Storage and Portable USB Storage products should not need additional drivers to function in WinXP/2000/Vista, or on Mac OS 9.2.2 (or later) or Mac OS X. These operating systems already include the drivers needed for USB storage devices.
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Q: What is the warranty period of the USB Storage product?
A: The warranty period for the USB Storage products is a one-year fixed period beginning on your date of purchase. A valid proof of purchase is required. If you do not have a valid proof of purchase, the warranty period will be measured from the date of sale from Hitachi GST.
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Q: Do I need to register my USB Storage product for warranty?
A: No, you do not need to register the product for warranty. Warranty entitlement is tracked using the serial number imprinted on the label of the USB Storage product.
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Q: Will I void the warranty on the USB Storage product if I open its case?
A: Yes, opening the case of the product will void the warranty. The warranty covers the USB Storage product in its entirety.
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Q: If the USB Storage product fails, how do I get it replaced?
A: You can request a Return Maintenance Authorization (RMA) on-line at http://www.hitachigst.com/warranty/jsp/arma31.jsp , or you can contact the Hitachi Technical Support Center to apply for a warranty replacement. Please have the serial number available as well as a description of the failure.

Phone: 888-426-5214
Email: support_usa@hitachigst.com
Web: http://www.hitachigst.com/warranty

When returning the External USB Storage product, please also return the power supply. There is no need to return the USB cable.
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Q: What is the proper procedure for disconnecting my USB Storage product?
A: Within Windows OS:
  • Double-click on the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon in your system tray (right-click and selecting “Safely Remove Hardware” does the same)
  • Select the device to be removed from service
  • Select “Stop”
  • Select “OK”
  • Select “Close” to complete the process
    Alternatively, single-click on the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon in your system tray and select the appropriate device from the pop-up dialogue
  • Wait for the drive activity light to stabilize
  • Power-off and/or disconnect the drive.

Within the Mac OS: Drag the drive icon into the Trash icon and wait for the drive activity light to stabilize. Power-off and/or disconnect the drive.
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Q: Will I experience any capacity limitations?
A:
  • In Windows OS: Apply the latest service pack and any subsequent updates for your operating system. Select “Windows Update” from the Start menu (or from the Internet Explorer Tools menu) and follow the instructions.
  • Mac OS 10.3.x and earlier have a capacity limit of 128GB using FAT32 formatted storage media. Changing the file system to Extended resolves this limitation. OS 10.4.x does not have this limitation on FAT32 formatted storage media.
  • On a Mac system: Apply the latest system updates. Select “Software Update…” from the Apple menu and follow the instructions
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Q: Can I use the USB Storage product and the software in non-Windows-based operating systems?
A: Certainly, you have the option to use the USB Storage product with several operating systems. You may need to reformat the drive to use a file system supported by your operating system if it does not support the FAT32 file system. However, the supplied backup software only runs in a Windows or a Mac operating environment.
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Q: Can I reformat the USB Storage product to use my operating system’s native file format?
A: Yes, if you intend to use the drive with a single system then you can reformat it to use the operating system’s native file system; NTFS for XP/2000/Vista and Extended for the Mac. The FAT32 file system is compatible with both the Windows and Mac operating environments.

In addition, the FAT32 file system has a limited file size it can handle (4GB). If you have large files, such as video files, it may be best to format the drive using a native file format compatible with your operating environment and storage needs.
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Q: I attached the USB Storage product to my Mac and it takes a long time to detect. What is wrong?
A: This is normal; it often takes several minutes for the Mac OS to figure out how to handle the FAT32 file system. To resolve this issue, access the Disk Utility and Initialize the drive.
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Q: I formatted the USB Storage drive and can no longer access the backup software. Can I get it replaced?
A: Yes, you can get the backup software replaced by contacting the Hitachi Technical Support Center:
Phone: 888-426-5214
Email: support_usa@hitachigst.com
Web: http://www.hitachigst.com/support

Please provide the following information so that a back-up CD can be shipped to you within 2 business days.
  1. The serial number from the USB Storage product.
  2. Your complete shipping address.
  3. Your phone number including area code.
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Q: I lost the back-up software that was pre-loaded on my drive, how can I get a copy?
A: The Technical Support Center can send you a copy of the back-up software on a CD.
Please contact the Support Center via one of the following methods:.

Phone: 888-426-5214
Email: support_usa@hitachigst.com
Web: http://www.hitachigst.com/support


Please provide the following information so that a back-up CD can be shipped to you within 2 business days.
  1. The serial number off of the USB Storage product.
  2. Your complete shipping address.
  3. Your phone number including area code.
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Q: Where can I get a manual for the back-up software?
A: The backup software, TotalMedia Backup™, has a comprehensive help-system included within the utility that should suffice for most needs.
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All information is provided by Hitachi Global Storage Technologies on an "AS IS" basis only. Hitachi makes no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, regarding the information, including the warranty of non-infringement and non-interference and the implied warranty or terms of merchantability, and fitness or use for a particular purpose.

Use of information that is provided by Hitachi is at the recipient's own risk. Hitachi provides no assurances that any reported problems may be resolved with the use of any information that Hitachi provides. By furnishing information, Hitachi does not grant any licenses to any copyrights, trademarks, patents or any other intellectual property rights.

Any trademarks and product or brand names referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners. Please consult your Hitachi product manuals for complete trademark information.

Any references to third parties are provided as reference only and are not recommendations of any products by Hitachi GST. Hitachi GST makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these companies or products.

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