FAQs
Q: What type of computer do I need to use the AcomData HybridDrive 2.5?
A: AcomData HybridDrive 2.5 Portable Drives work on most Windows PCs and Macintosh computers. For Windows PCs you will need a computer with a minimum 233 MHz Pentium (or equivalent processor, such as Celeron, AMD etc.), running Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP. For Macintosh you will need a Mac or Power Mac running Mac OS 9 or OS 10.
For bus-powered operation:
If using the USB 2.0 interface, you will need two USB ports because a single USB port cannot supply sufficient current to power up a 2.5" hard drive from a rest state. Users with only one free USB port and a PS2 port can use the optional PS2 adapter to power the Drive. The PS2 adapter has an auxiliary port for connecting another PS2 device to your computer. You can also power the Drive using the optional AC adapter. (PS2 adapter and AC adapter sold separately.)
If using the FireWire interface, you will need only one FireWire port on your computer.
Q: Can I use my Drive on two computers at the same time?
A: No. The Drive can only 'talk' to one computer at a time. If you connect the Drive to two computers, you may damage the Drive and/or your computers.
Q: Do I have to format my Drive prior to using it?
A: No. All AcomData Drives are pre-formatted at the factory with the FAT32 file system, making them truly plug and play for most supported platforms.
Q: What exactly is 'bus-powered operation' and how does it work?
A: Bus-powered operation is when a device can get the electrical power it needs to operate via an interface connection, such as USB 2.0 or FireWire. (A 'bus' is simply a link that allows the transfer of electric impulses from one connected component to any other.) Both USB 2.0 and FireWire can supply a limited amount of electrical power via the USB or FireWire (interface) cable. The actual electrical power comes from the computer to which the device is attached.
Bus-powered operation means you do not need an AC adapter, allowing for easier portablility, freedom from an AC outlet, and fewer cables. However, many bus-powered devices, such as the HybridDrive 2.5, can also be powered via a standard AC outlet. During bus-powered operation, power is supplied via the interface cable only when needed, and if the device is not plugged into an AC outlet.
Q: Can I format the Drive for use on multiple operating systems?
A: AcomData External Hard Drives come pre-formatted from the factory with the FAT 32 file system. This allows you to use the Drive on all supported Windows and Mac operating systems. For full instructions on how to re-format your Drive, including for use on multiple operating systems, refer to your User's Guide.
Q: Can I use my AcomData Drive as an intermediary to copy an operating system from one computer to another?
A: You cannot transfer an installed operating system to another computer or hard drive simply by copying the operating system files. In order to install an operating system, you'll need to follow the manufacturer's installation procedure. If you wish to transfer the contents of one boot volume (drive) to another, you will first need to properly install the operating system on the target drive. You can then use your AcomData Drive to copy over your files (except the operating system).
Q: What is the difference between FAT32 and NTFS?
A: FAT32 is an older and more compatible file system but it has certain limitations, such as file size (maximum 4 GB). NTFS is more secure and has fewer limitations. The NTFS file system can only be used on Windows 2000 and XP. If you plan to use your Drive on Windows 2000 and/or XP only, you may want to consider re-formatting the Drive using the NTFS files system. If you plan to use the Drive on a Mac OS only, and you do not need Windows compatibility, you may want to consider re-formatting the Drive using a Mac OS Extended file system. Refer to the User's Guide for instructions.
Q; Do I need drivers for my AcomData External Hard Drive?
A: For USB 2.0 on Windows 98SE, you will need to install the USB 2.0 driver found on the supplied USB 2.0 Installation CD. All other supported operating systems have the necessary USB 2.0 driver built in, with the exception of Mac OS 9, which supports USB 1 but not USB 2.0. You can connect the Drive to a USB 1 port, but it will operate at USB 1 speeds (up to 12 Mbps). Depending on your operating system, you may need to download an update from the OS manufacturer. Refer to the User's Guide for details.
Q: What is USB 2.0?
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an interface technology for the serial transmission of digital data. The original standard (USB 1) could transmit data at speeds of up to 12 Mbps (Megabits per second), which equals 1.5 MB/s (Megabytes per second). USB 2.0 has a maximum throughput of 480 Mbps (60 MB/s) – up to 40 times faster than USB 1. At that speed it is possible to transfer a full GB (Gigabyte) of data in less than 18 seconds.
USB is a master-slave, host-based technology, meaning USB devices need to be connected to a computer, either directly or indirectly via a USB hub in order to communicate with each other. The computer dictates data flow to, from, and between attached USB devices. While 480 Mbps is the maximum speed, data transfer rates will vary depending on a number of factors, including available CPU resources.
The USB standard supports up to 127 devices. Connecting more than one or two USB devices to a computer typically requires the use of one or more hubs, where each hub can accommodate several USB devices.
The maximum allowable length of a USB cable is 5 m (16.4 ft.). USB can supply on-bus power of up to 2.5 W. This means that many low-power-consumption devices, such as flash card readers do not need to be plugged into an electrical outlet because they can get sufficient power via the USB cable. More power-hungry devices, such as hard drives, still require a separate electrical connection for power.
USB is a plug-and-play and hot-swappable technology. You do not need to assign ID numbers, or connect terminators. On most operating system you do not need to install drivers because the necessary drivers are built into the operating system. Devices can be added and removed while the computer is running. Also, you can turn off the device when not needed, in order to conserve electricity.
Q: What is FireWire?
FireWire is a serial data input/output technology developed by Apple Computer and Texas Instruments. The first FireWire standard was approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) in 1995.
FireWire 400 can transmit data at up to 400 Mbps (50 MB/s). FireWire 800 can transmit data at up to 800 Mbps (100 MB/s). FireWire supports both isochronous and asynchronous data transfers. Isochronous mode provides guaranteed transmission of data at defined intervals; it’s used when delayed or out-of-order data frames are unacceptable, such as for capturing digital video. In asynchronous mode the intervals between transmissions can vary, and data can be resent if missed. Asynchronous mode is typically used for routine data transfers.
FireWire devices can be linked in a daisy-chain, where the devices are connected to each other in series. A hub is only required when a very large number of devices will share the same FireWire bus. With the use of FireWire hubs, up to 63 devices can be linked on a single FireWire bus.
FireWire devices are host-independent, meaning data transmissions between FireWire devices on the same bus can take place without the need for input from the host computer. This lack of dependence on the host is one of the reasons FireWire devices are on average faster than USB 2.0 devices in routine day-to-day use, even though the rated maximum data transfer is lower than that for USB 2.0.
Standard FireWire 400 cables use 6-pin connectors at both ends. FireWire 800 cables use 9-pin connectors. Cables with 4-pin connectors are also available for connecting FireWire devices to laptop/notebook computers and other devices that have 4-pin ports.
FireWire can supply up to 45 W of electrical power, making it possible to use many low-power-consumption devices without a dedicated electrical connection. (FireWire cables with 4-pin connectors cannot transmit electrical power.) When a device is powered via FireWire, power is delivered only when actually needed.
You do not need to install drivers, assign unique ID numbers, or connect terminators.
FireWire devices can be connected to or disconnected from the computer while the computer is running. Always dismount a hard drive before turning off and disconnecting it.
Q: What's faster, USB 2.0 or FireWire?
A: As with so many questions about technology, the answer to that question is not a simple one. USB 2.0 and FireWire are very similar in many respects, but there are definite differences.
At first glance it would appear that USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) is indeed faster than FireWire (400 Mbps). However, this is only true under ideal conditions. While 480 Mbps is the maximum speed achievable, USB 2.0 cannot guarantee a specified data transfer rate. This is mainly because USB 2.0 is a master-slave, host-dependent technology, meaning it relies on your computer's CPU to facilitate and manage data transfers.
FireWire (IEEE 1394x), on the other hand, is a peer-to-peer technology that does not require CPU resources to facilitate data transfers between FireWire devices. Moreover, FireWire devices can guarantee real-time delivery of data at a specific rate. Real time data delivery is necessary for certain applications, such as digital video streaming where dropped or delayed data packets is unacceptable. This is why devices like digital camcorders have 1394 interfaces, and why FireWire is the interface of choice for digital video editing applications.
For day-to-day hard drive use, USB 2.0 and FireWire will have comparable performance though FireWire will probably have a slight performance edge, which can make a difference if you are performing tasks that require large, frequent data transfers.
Q: Can I connect an AcomData Drive to a USB or FireWire expansion card?
A: Yes, but you may need to update the software/firmware for the card. We recommend you check with the card’s manufacturer for the latest updates.
Q: If I have both USB 2.0 and FireWire on my computer, which one should I use?
A: For day-to-day hard drive use, USB 2.0 and FireWire will have comparable performance though FireWire will have a slight performance edge. If you plan to utilize your Drive for video editing, or some other application that requires a continuous stream of ordered data packets, you will definitely want to use the FireWire interface. If you want your Drive to be bus-powered rather than AC-powered, FireWire is the better option because only one FireWire port is needed on your computer, rather than two, as is the case if using the USB interface.
Q: Can I use the USB 2.0 and FireWire connections at the same time?
A: No. You can only use one connection at a time.
Q.: My Drive has two FireWire ports. Why is this so, and which one should I use?
A: There are two FireWire ports so that you can connect another FireWire device to the Drive in a FireWire daisy-chain. Daisy-chaining is a way of connecting devices directly to each other in series, one after the other, rather than to a hub (as with USB). If you will not be connecting another FireWire device to your AcomData Drive, one FireWire port on the Drive will remain unused, which is perfectly fine. It does not matter which port you use to connect the Drive to your computer. Furthermore, if you connect another FireWire device to your AcomData Drive, it does not matter which FireWire cable is plugged into which port.
Q: What is the cache size on my external hard drive in MB?
A: All Drives under 250 GB have 2MB buffers; Drives with 250 GB or more have 8MB buffers.
Q: Why doesn't the Drive need a fan?
A: Efficient dissipation of heat generated by a hard drive's internal components is important for reliability and long life. The AcomData HybridDrive 2.5 Portable Drive has been engineered to be so efficient it does not need a fan. Aside from consuming less electricity, the added benefit is virtually silent operation.
Q: I've heard that the usable storage capacity of hard drives is actually lower than the capacity stated by the manufacturer. For example, a hard drive with a stated capacity of 120 GB actually shows up as about 111 GB on Windows or Mac. Is this true? And if so, why?
A: The capacity of a hard drive will appear slightly less in Windows and Mac operating systems than the capacity stated by the hard drive's manufacturer. This is not only the case for AcomData drives but is typical in the data storage industry. The difference is mostly due to the way Windows and Mac operating systems typically measure data storage, as compared to the method used by hard drive manufacturers.
Hard drive manufacturers have always used the decimal (base 10) number system to measure the storage capacities of hard drives. In the decimal system 1GB = 1,000 MB = 1,000,000 KB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Windows and Mac operating systems use the binary (base 2) method, where 1GB = 1,024 MB = 1,048,576 KB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. Example: A hard drive with a capacity of 120 GB (decimal) will show up on Windows and Mac with a capacity of say 111.8 GB (binary). The actual number of bytes is 120,044,335,923, which is just over 120 GB (decimal).
Hard drive manufacturers use the decimal method because it is the number system we are all familiar with in our daily lives. Using the decimal method is simpler and less confusing to the average consumer than the binary method for converting kilobytes to megabytes to gigabytes and so on. Manufacturers of operating systems do not need to concern themselves with this issue, so they typically use the more traditional binary method. But as long as the drive displays the correct number of bytes (approximately), you are getting the drive’s full stated capacity. The reason the actual number is approximate is because operating systems reserve a small amount of disk space for their own purposes; the actual amount can vary from operating system to operating system.
Q: Can I use more than one Drive with PushButton Backup on the same computer?
A: While you can connect more than one PushButton-enabled Drive to a computer, you can only use the PushButton on the first Drive you installed. However, if the Button Backup Script is set to run Backups, and you need additional storage capacity for your backups, you can add additional Drives (whether they have a PushButton or not) to the Backup Set and continue to run the backups via the PushButton on the first Drive.
Q: What’s the difference between Retrospect Express and other versions of Retrospect?
A: The Retrospect Express software bundled with your AcomData Drive offers the same powerful features as other versions of Retrospect, except its use is limited to one desktop or laptop computer. Furthermore, the Retrospect Express software bundled with your AcomData Drive was specially designed for AcomData PushButton Backup. The PushButton Backup function will not work with other versions of Retrospect.
Q: Do I have to install Retrospect Express or the AcomData PushButton Manager to use my AcomData Drive?
A: You only need to install Retrospect Express and the AcomData PushButton Manager if you want to use PushButton Backups. You can also perform backups the traditional way (without PushButton) by installing Retrospect Express but not the AcomData PushButton Manager. In this case, to run backups you would launch Retrospect Express from your desktop and use the on-screen interface.
Q: I already had Retrospect installed on my computer before I purchased my AcomData Drive. Can I use this version rather than the version bundled with the Drive to perform backups?
A: PushButton Backup will only work with the Retrospect Express bundled with your AcomData Drive. This is because the software was specially configured to work specifically with PushButton Backup. However, you can use a previously installed version of Retrospect to back up data to your AcomData drive using the Retrospect user interface rather than the PushButton. If you plan to keep using your previous version of Retrospect, do not install the Retrospect Express or PushButton Backup software bundled with the AcomData Drive.
Q: Will the Retrospect Express bundled with the AcomData Drive recognize Backup Sets that were created with an earlier version of Retrospect?
A: The Retrospect Express software bundled with your Drive will be able to utilize Backup Sets that were created with other versions of Retrospect. There is one exception: Retrospect Express 6.0 for Mac will be able to read Backup Sets created on Retrospect version 5.1 on the Mac but it will not be able to write to these Backup Sets.
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