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Acomdata DockPod RPDOCKU2FA User Manual

Dockpod docking station windows & mac
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User's Guide
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DockPod

Docking Station

Model #: RPDOCKU2FA
Windows & Mac
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Summary of Contents for Acomdata DockPod RPDOCKU2FA

  • Page 1: Docking Station

    User’s Guide For the DockPod Docking Station Model #: RPDOCKU2FA Windows & Mac Please retain this guide.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    ONTENTS ....... .3 ONTACT NFORMATION ........4 ELCOME .
  • Page 4 ....22 ONNECTING OD TO OMPUTER &P ....25 OW TO TACK OCKET...

  • Page 5: Ontact Nformation

    ONTACT NFORMATION Mailing Address: Customer Service: P .O. BOX 5499 customerservice@acomdata.com Diamond Bar, California Technical Support: 91765-7499 techsupport@acomdata.com Telephone: Pre-Sales Questions: (909) 348-0680 sales@acomdata.com Fax: (909) 598-8663 Web: www.acomdata.com...

  • Page 6: Welcome

    ELCOME Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of DockPod, the Docking Station for RocketPod Hi-Performance Peripherals from AcomData. This guide contains instructions on how to connect your DockPod to your computer and stack on RocketPod modules using the patented Stack&Play™...

  • Page 7: Package Contents

    • USB 2.0 cable (compatible with USB 1.x) • AC adapter and power cord • User’s Guide • Warranty Registration Card If you are missing any of the items listed above, please contact AcomData Customer Service at customerservice@acomdata.com or call 1-800-470-4495 or (909) 348-0680.

  • Page 8: Roduct Egistration For Arranty Overage

    EGISTRATION ARRANTY OVERAGE Please take a few moments to register your AcomData product. Registration is required in the event that your product needs warran- ty service. Also, please retain your sales receipt from the purchase of this product; a copy of the sales receipt is also required to attain warranty service.

  • Page 9: Precautions

    RECAUTIONS Be sure to follow the precautions listed below. Failure to follow these precautions may cause damage to your AcomData product and void the warranty. • Read this User’s Guide carefully and follow the correct procedures for installing and using the device.
  • Page 10 • Do not disconnect any cables while the device is powered on. • AcomData highly recommends that you regularly back-up the files stored on your hard drive(s). AcomData is not responsible for any data loss, nor will AcomData perform any recovery of lost data or files.

  • Page 11: About Rocket Pod

    ™ OCKET RocketPod is a revolutionary new line of hi-performance computer peripherals from AcomData––and they’re unlike anything you’ve seen before. If you want a computer peripherals solution that is portable, expandable, compact, can eliminate the ‘rat’s nest’ of wires on your desktop––and is ready for the future––...
  • Page 12 built into RocketPod devices safely and seamlessly relay power and data signals between stacked RocketPod modules. Modular Design Connect a DockPod Docking Station to your computer and then stack on the RocketPod modules that you need right now. Then, simply add more modules as you need them––and as new RocketPod products become available.
  • Page 13 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and FireWire No matter what interface you choose, you get blazing performance. You can even combine USB 2.0 and FireWire RocketPod modules in the same stack with the DockPod Docking Station. Hot Swappable This is the way hot swapping was truly meant to be. Add or remove RocketPod peripherals without turning off your computer––or fussing with cables.

  • Page 14: Dock Pod At A Glance

    OD AT Stack&Play™ Connector Relays electrical power and data signals to stacked-on RocketPod modules. Stack Light Lights up when a link between the DockPod and stacked-on RocketPod module(s) is established. Voltage Meter Measures the amount of power used by stacked-on RocketPod modules.
  • Page 15 LANCE N THE BACK PANEL FireWire (IEEE 1394a) port USB 2.0 port AC adapter power port...

  • Page 16: Dock Pod I N -Depth

    EPTH &P ™ C TACK ONNECTOR Your DockPod has two main func- tions: 1) to supply electrical power for up to five stacked-on RocketPod modules, and; 2) to relay data signals between those modules, your computer, and other devices connected to the same USB and/or FireWire data buses.
  • Page 17 OLTAGE ETER Your DockPod is equipped with a built-in, analog voltage meter. The voltage meter measures the amount of power used by stacked-on RocketPod modules. Whenever there is a sufficient power fluctuation caused by some activity from a RocketPod module, the needle will fluctuate until a rest state is reached.
  • Page 18 About FireWire FireWire––also known as iLink and the High Performance Serial Bus––is a cross-platform serial input/output technology for transfer- ring data between computers and peripherals. Developed by Apple Computer and Texas Instruments, FireWire was adopted as an offi- cial standard by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; the official name is IEEE 1394x.
  • Page 19 On-bus power up to 45 W Some FireWire devices do not need to be plugged into an outlet; they can get their power via the FireWire cable. Plug & Play You do not need to install drivers, assign unique ID numbers, or con- nect terminators.
  • Page 20 including available CPU resources. Supports up to 127 devices Connecting more than one or two USB devices to a computer typi- cally requires the use of one or more hubs; each hub can accommo- date several USB devices. Master-slave architecture The computer (master) dictates data flow between attached devices (slaves).

  • Page 21: Technical Specifications

    ECHNICAL PECIFICATIONS Model #: Environmental RPDOCKU2FA Temperature: - operating: ..+5 – +40 ºC; Interfaces: - non-operating: .-40 – +70 ºC; FireWire (IEEE 1394a) – 400 Mbps USB 2.0 – up to 480 Mbps Humidity: - operating : ..5 – 90 % Physical - non-operating: .5 –...

  • Page 22: System Requirements

    YSTEM EQUIREMENTS YSTEM EQUIREMENT FOR • Minimum 233MHz Pentium or equivalent processor • Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP • Available USB port and/or FireWire port Windows 98 users: • Windows 98 First Edition does not support USB 2.0. If you con- nect DockPod to a PC running Windows 98 First Edition, any stacked-on USB 2.0 RocketPod modules will operate at USB 1.x speeds.

  • Page 23: System Requirements For Mac

    YSTEM EQUIREMENTS FOR • Power Macintosh (G5, G4, Blue & White G3, iBook or iMac) • Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X • Available USB port and/or FireWire port Mac OS 9 Users: • We recommend using the latest version (OS 9.2.2). You can down- load the updates you need at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.
  • Page 24 ONNECTING OMPUTER Important Notes: FireWire cable • FireWire cables can only be properly inserted one way. Be sure to insert the plugs properly or you may dam- age the DockPod. Your DockPod 6-pin to 6-pin came with a 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable.
  • Page 25 1. Plug the AC adapter cord into the power port on the back of the DockPod. Plug the power cord into the socket on the AC adapter. Plug the other end into a three- prong outlet. 2. Plug the USB 2.0 and/ DockPod or FireWire cable into the correct ports on...
  • Page 26 Important Note: DockPod is not a desktop device, meaning DockPod itself will not appear in My Computer on PCs or on the Desktop on Macs. Only stacked-on RocketPod devices, such as DrivePod hard drives, may be recognized by your computer.
  • Page 27 &P OW TO TACK OCKET ODULES Stacking RocketPod Modules 1. With the DockPod powered on, care- fully place a RocketPod module onto it, making sure the orientation is the same and the devices are aligned. When placed correctly, the DockPod connector will mate with the connector at the bottom of the RocketPod module you are stacking, and all four feet of the module should sit firmly on...
  • Page 28 There is no need to press the power button of the stacked-on mod- ule. It will power on automatically if the DockPod is turned on. If the DockPod is not turned on, press the DockPod power button. After a few seconds, the stacked on module should power on automatically. After you add a RocketPod module to a stack and it powers on, it may take 10 –...
  • Page 29 power on automatically. You can stack up to five RocketPod modules onto your DockPod as shown in the illustration on page 26. About Stacking USB 2.0 and FireWire RocketPod Modules Part of the beauty and power of the RocketPod Stack&Play system is you can stack USB 2.0 and FireWire RocketPod modules together, and in any order.
  • Page 30 Removing Stacked-On Modules There are several reasons why you may need to remove a RocketPod module from a stack: • You need to quickly transfer very large amounts of data between two computers; • You need to regularly access files stored on a DrivePod whether you are at home, at work, or on the road;...

  • Page 31: Tack

    to communicate with it. When you dismount a device, the com- puter no longer sees it. The device may still be running but the computer cannot access it, as though the device no longer exists. 2. Once all necessary modules are dismounted, you can safely remove them from the stack (even if they are still powered on).

  • Page 32: Connection Options

    ONNECTION PTIONS Connecting DockPod to a USB Hub Important Notes: • Each USB hub that you connect to your com- puter decreases by one USB hub the number of USB 2.0 RocketPod modules you can stack. For example: if you have one USB hub, you can stack up to four USB 2.0 RocketPod modules;...

  • Page 33: Chain

    To connect the DockPod to a USB hub, connect the USB cable to the USB 2.0 port on the back of the DockPod and to an appropriate USB port on the hub, as shown in the illustration on page 30. Follow the USB hub manufacturer’s instructions for proper set-up and use of the hub.
  • Page 34 RocketPod If your RocketPod stack is first in the Stack chain (starting from the computer): As shown in the illustration at right, connect the DockPod to your com- FireWire devices puter; then connect the right-hand FireWire port of a stacked-on RocketPod module to FireWire cables the next FireWire device...

  • Page 35: Troubleshooting /Frequently

    ROUBLESHOOTING (FAQ REQUENTLY SKED UESTIONS Q: My DockPod won’t power on. A: Check to make sure all connections are secure. When the DockPod is powered on, the power button will light up blue. Q: My computer does not seem to recognize the DockPod. A: DockPod is not a desktop device, meaning it will not appear on your computer's desktop or in My Computer.
  • Page 36 RocketPod modules rather than five. However, you can stack on two FireWire RocketPod modules, for a total of five modules. Q: Do I need to turn my RocketPod modules on when I stack them? A: No. If your DockPod is turned on, stacked-on RocketPod modules will power on automatically.
  • Page 37 Before you turn off the DockPod, be sure to dismount all modules. Q: Do I need to use both the USB 2.0 and FireWire interfaces of my DockPod in order for it to work? A: No, you can use only one interface if you so choose. DockPod comes with both interfaces to accommodate both USB 2.0 users and FireWire users.
  • Page 38 operate at USB 1.x speeds. You will need to follow any necessary set-up instructions for each RocketPod module, as described in their respective User’s Guides. Q: I stacked on a RocketPod module and it powered on but my computer did not recognize it. A: Make sure you properly followed the set-up instructions for that device.
  • Page 39 Q: The voltage meter doesn’t seem to work properly. A: Like the Stack light, the voltage meter is only active when one or more RocketPod modules are stacked onto the DockPod and the DockPod is turned on. Q: Do I need to worry about the exposed Stack&Play connector when my DockPod or RocketPod stack is powered on? A: Since every RocketPod peripheral has a connector built into the top, you will always have an exposed or free connector with the last...

  • Page 40: Solving Technical Problems

    OLVING ECHNICAL ROBLEMS If you experience a problem with your AcomData product, you should take the following actions in the order specified: 1. Re-read this guide carefully to make sure that you followed all of the instructions properly. 2. Consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of this guide.

  • Page 41: Glossary

    LOSSARY Bit - The smallest unit of digital data. In binary code, a bit is repre- sented logically as a either a 1 or a 0. Buffer - RAM cache that temporarily stores data so it can be deliv- ered to a device as it is needed. Bus - An electronic link that allows the transmission of data between digital devices, such as computers and computer peripherals.
  • Page 42 FireWire (IEEE 1394x) - A serial bus interface standard offering high-speed communications and real-time data services. Cable length is limited to 4.5 m, but up to 16 cables can be daisy-chained, yield- ing a total length of 72 m. It allows the connection of up to 63 peripherals in a tree-like structure.
  • Page 43 Mb (Megabit) - One million bits. Mbps (Megabits per second) - A data transmission speed of one million bits per second. Data transmissions are measured in bits (kilobits, megabits etc) per second. MB (Megabyte) - 1,048,576 bytes (binary); 1,000,000 bytes (deci- mal).
  • Page 44 USB (Universal Serial Bus) - 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. USB 2.0 has a maximum throughput of 480 Mbps – up to 40 times faster than USB 1. USB is a host-based technology, meaning USB devices need to be con- nected to a computer––either directly or indirectly via a hub––in order to communicate with each other.

  • Page 45: One Year Limited Warranty

    IMITED ARRANTY AcomData warrants this product (the "Product") against defects in material or workmanship as follows: 1. LABOR: For a period of one (1) year from the original date of pur- chase from AcomData or its local representative supplier, AcomData will repair defective Product (or, at its option, replace with a new or recertified product) at no charge.
  • Page 46 AcomData at the number listed on the reverse side for further infor- mation. AcomData is not responsible for any damage to, or loss of, any pro- grams, data, or other information stored on any media or any part of any Product serviced hereunder. Be sure to remove all features, parts, options, alterations, and attachments not under warranty prior to returning the Product to AcomData.
  • Page 47 Product in conjunction with accessories, products or ancillary or peripheral equipment, or where it is determined by AcomData that there is no fault with this Product itself. This Limited Warranty is invalid if the factory applied serial number has been altered or removed from the Product.
  • Page 48 THE EXTEND PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY IMPLIED WAR- RANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PUR- POSE ON THIS PRODUCT IS LIMITED IN DURATION OF THIS WAR- RANTY. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, or allow limitations on how long on implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation or exclusions may not apply to you.

  • Page 49: Otices

    OTICES OPYRIGHTS Copyright © 2004 AcomData. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or other- wise, without the prior written consent of AcomData.
  • Page 50 The material in this document is for information only and subject to change without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the prepara- tion of this document to assure its accuracy, AcomData assumes no liability resulting from errors or omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein.
  • Page 52 THER INNOVATIVE ATA PRODUCTS DESIGNED TO EMPOWER INSPIRE AND ENTERTAIN External Hard Drives: MultiMedia Viewer: The easiest way to add hi-per- View your JPEG photos and formance data storage to your MPEG video clips on your TV. PC or Mac. Listen to MP3s on your stereo, or add headphones and take Flash Card Readers:...

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