Frequently Asked Questions - Acomdata HD500FPMM User Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use mini Pal on two computers at the same time?
A: Actually, yes. It is possible to connect mini Pal's FireWire interface to one
computer and the USB 2.0 interface to another computer. mini Pal's hard
drive and any FireWire devices attached to mini Pal will be available to the
computer using the FireWire connection. Any USB devices attached to mini
Pal will be available to the computer using the USB connection. One com-
puter can even be a Mac and the other a PC.
Q: Do I have to format my mini Pal prior to using it?
A: All mini Pals are formatted at the factory with the FAT32 file system, making
them compatible with all supported operating systems right out of the box.
You can re-format mini Pal if you wish to use a file system other than FAT32.
Q: Can I format the mini Pal for use on multiple operating systems?
A: mini Pals are compatible with all supported operating systems right out of
the box. If you ever need to re-format mini Pal and you need both Mac and
PC compatibility, you can format mini Pal using the FAT32 or MS-DOS file sys-
tem. See "Re-Formatting mini Pal" for instructions.
Q: What is the difference between FAT32 and NTFS?
A: FAT32 is an older and more compatible file system but it has certain limita-
tions, 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 mini Pal on Windows 2000 and/or XP only, consider
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re-formatting the mini Pal using the NTFS file system. If you plan to use
the mini Pal on a Mac OS only, consider re-formatting it using the Mac OS
Extended file system.
Q: Does mini Pal work on Windows XP Media Center Edition?
A: Not at this time.
Q: Is the mini Pal compatible with Windows 95, 98 (First Edition) or NT 4.0?
A: No.
Q: Can I use both the USB 2.0 and FireWire interfaces of my mini Pal at the
same time?
A: Definitely yes. If your computer is equipped with USB as well as FireWire,
you can use both interfaces. One FireWire connection is needed to run mini
Pal's internal hard drive. The remaining two FireWire connections can be used
to attach FireWire peripherals. The USB 2.0 connection is used for the USB 2.0
hub.
Q: Can I connect a mini Pal 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: Why doesn't the FireWire cable fit my FireWire port?
A: The supplied FireWire cable uses 6-pin connectors at both ends, but many
laptops have a 4-pin FireWire port. In order to connect the mini Pal to your
laptop via FireWire, you will need to purchase a 6-pin to 4-pin cable.
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