Acomdata DockPod RPDOCKU2FA User Manual Download Page 1

Page: 1 / 52

User’s Guide

For the

DockPod

Docking Station

Model #: RPDOCKU2FA

Windows & Mac

Please retain this guide.

Summary of Contents for DockPod RPDOCKU2FA

Page 1: ...User s Guide For the DockPod Docking Station Model RPDOCKU2FA Windows Mac Please retain this guide ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...AGE CONTENTS 5 PRODUCT REGISTRATION FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE 6 PRECAUTIONS 7 ABOUT ROCKETPOD 9 DOCKPOD AT A GLANCE 12 DOCKPOD IN DEPTH 14 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 19 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 20 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR PC 20 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR MAC 21 ...

Page 4: ...MOVING STACKED ON MODULES 28 TURNING OFF A ROCKETPOD STACK 29 CONNECTION OPTIONS 30 CONNECTING DOCKPOD TO A USB HUB 30 CONNECTING YOUR ROCKETPOD STACK TO A FIREWIRE DAISY CHAIN 31 TROUBLESHOOTING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FAQ 33 SOLVING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS 38 GLOSSARY 39 ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY 43 NOTICES 47 ...

Page 5: ... Bar California 91765 7499 Telephone 909 348 0680 Fax 909 598 8663 Web www acomdata com Customer Service customerservice acomdata com Technical Support techsupport acomdata com Pre Sales Questions sales acomdata com 3 CONTACT INFORMATION ...

Page 6: ... contains instructions on how to connect your DockPod to your computer and stack on RocketPod modules using the patented Stack Play system For instructions pertaining to the usage of a specific RocketPod product please see the User s Guide for that product Please read this guide carefully before using your DockPod and retain it for future reference 4 ...

Page 7: ...eWire cable 6 pin to 6 pin 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 5 ...

Page 8: ...is product a copy of the sales receipt is also required to attain warranty service Two ways to register 1 Fill out and return the Warranty Registration Card included in the package 2 Register your AcomData product online at www acomdata com To register click on the Customer Support button and follow the instructions Online registration entitles you to free online support services including online ...

Page 9: ...y it If it appears to be malfunctioning contact AcomData Technical Support Never expose the device to rain or use it near water or in damp or wet conditions Never place containers on it containing liquids which may spill onto the device This can damage the device and increase the risk of electric shock short circuiting fire or personal injury Make sure that the computer and the device are electric...

Page 10: ...o not bump jar or drop the device as this may damage it or result in loss of data Do not try to set the device on its side it is not designed to be placed on its side 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 recov...

Page 11: ...f 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 you want RocketPod Patented Stack Play System This revolutionary tech nology lets you stack RocketPod peripherals without additional data cables or power cords The patented Stack Play connectors 9 ...

Page 12: ...ore modules as you need them and as new RocketPod products become available You can stack any combination of up to five RocketPod modules onto your DockPod Portable Super compact size and grab and go convenience make it a snap to take RocketPod peripherals on the go transfer large amounts of data to another computer bring your work to and from your home and office secure your daily backups off sit...

Page 13: ...ble 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 Mac or PC All RocketPod modules are compatible with both Mac and PC Rugged and Stylish With solid metal alloy tops rugged construction and advanced technology RocketPod peripherals are designed to give you years of reliable performance and look great w...

Page 14: ...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 Power Button Lights up blue when the DockPod is powered on and ready DOCKPOD AT ...

Page 15: ...FireWire IEEE 1394a port USB 2 0 port AC adapter power port A GLANCE ON THE BACK PANEL 13 ...

Page 16: ...he top side of your DockPod is the power and data link to your stacked on RocketPod modules The standard power and data connections located on the back of the DockPod are used to connect DockPod to your computer STACK LIGHT The Stack light located on the fascia of your DockPod tells you when a proper link has been established between the DockPod and any stacked on RocketPod modules The Stack light...

Page 17: ...inates with a stunning deep blue color DockPod s power button is also used to control power to stacked on RocketPod modules FIREWIRE AND USB 2 0 COMPATIBILITY Your DockPod is equipped with both a Hi Speed USB 2 0 interface and a FireWire IEEE 1394a interface for the ultimate combination of compatibility convenience and flexibility You can use the USB 2 0 connection or the FireWire connection or bo...

Page 18: ...e official name is IEEE 1394x Isochronous data transfer at a rate of 400 Mbps FireWire is suitable for applications where delayed or out of order data frames are unacceptable such as digital video editing Supports up to 63 devices FireWire devices can be linked in a daisy chain configuration With the use of FireWire hubs up to 63 devices can be linked on a single FireWire bus Peer to peer architec...

Page 19: ...ile the computer is running Also you can turn off the device when not needed About USB 2 0 USB Universal Serial Bus quickly became the standard for low band width computer peripherals such as printers scanners and digital cameras The second generation USB 2 0 is up to 40 times faster making it suitable for devices such as external hard drives that require large data throughput Data transfer rates ...

Page 20: ...he computer master dictates data flow between attached devices slaves Cable length up to 5 m On bus power up to 2 5 W Suitable for low powered devices such as flash card readers Plug Play You do not need to assign unique ID numbers or connect termina tors On most operating system you do not need to install drivers Hot swappable Devices can be added and removed while the computer is running Also yo...

Page 21: ... 85 x L 7 4 Weight 450g Electrical Input DC voltage 19 25V Input current 4A max Input power 75W max Output voltage 12V 5 Output current 5A average 6A peak 10 sec Efficiency 90 Environmental Temperature operating 5 40 ºC non operating 40 70 ºC Humidity operating 5 90 non operating 5 95 19 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ...

Page 22: ...ndows 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 Windows 98 First Edition does not support FireWire Windows XP users In order to use the USB 2 0 connection you must have at least Service Pack 1 for Windows XP 20 ...

Page 23: ...artnum 75288 Mac OS 9 does not support USB 2 0 If you connect DockPod to a Mac running OS 9 any stacked on USB 2 0 RocketPod mod ules will operate at USB 1 x speeds Mac OS 9 requires USB Mass Storage Support version 1 3 5 or later You can down load the latest update at http docs info apple com article html artnum 60394 Mac OS 9 requires FireWire Support and Enabler version 2 3 3 or higher You can ...

Page 24: ...6 pin FireWire cable If you wish to connect your DockPod to a laptop notebook com puter you may need to purchase a 6 pin to 4 pin FireWire cable Each end of the USB cable has dif ferent plugs called A and B The A end plugs into your computer or USB hub The B end plugs into the DockPod Be sure to correctly insert the plugs or you may damage the DockPod 22 A Plug 6 pin to 6 pin B Plug FireWire cable...

Page 25: ... FireWire cable into the correct ports on your computer and the DockPod You can plug in either the USB 2 0 connec tion or the FireWire connec tion or both depending on what connections you have available with your computer system and what type of RocketPod modules you plan to stack onto your DockPod 3 Press the power button on the DockPod it will light up blue The voltage meter only becomes active...

Page 26: ...ockPod 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 24 ...

Page 27: ...onnector 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 the DockPod When the connectors mate you may hear a brief scratch ing sound as the metal terminals in the connectors make contact This is normal 2 Press down with only moderate force on the upper device to make sure it is firmly seated Do not use excessi...

Page 28: ...should power on automatically After you add a RocketPod module to a stack and it powers on it may take 10 30 seconds for your computer to recognize it When at least one RocketPod module is stacked onto the DockPod and the DockPod is pow ered on the Stack light on the DockPod will light up indicating a link is estab lished To stack additional modules simply follow the same stacking procedure descri...

Page 29: ...6 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 There may be some exceptions Refer to the indi vidual User s Guides of your RocketPod peripherals for more informa tion 27 ...

Page 30: ...ipherals and you need to temporarily swap out one module for another You use a DrivePod for data back up and you secure the DrivePod off site at the end of each day Whatever your reason the RocketPod Stack Play system makes removing and replacing modules quick and easy 1 Dismount the module you want to remove as well as any modules that may be stacked above it follow the proper dismounting pro ced...

Page 31: ...in order to access the target module They will power on automatically when stacked on Turning Off a RocketPod Stack Important Note With the exception of RocketPod devices with push button dismount the power button of a RocketPod device is rendered inactive when that device is used as a module in a stack the power can only be controlled via the DockPod 1 Dismount all stacked on RocketPod modules ac...

Page 32: ...if you have one USB hub you can stack up to four USB 2 0 RocketPod modules if you have two USB hubs you can stack up to three USB 2 0 RocketPod modules USB hubs do not affect the num ber of FireWire RocketPod modules you can stack however the total number of modules is still five If the USB hub only supports USB 1 x all stacked on USB 2 0 RocketPod modules will operate at USB 1 x speeds 30 USB hub...

Page 33: ...r or previous device in the chain If the RocketPod stack is not last in the chain you must also connect the right hand FireWire port when viewed from the back of a stacked on RocketPod module to the next device in the chain For maximum performance place this module first in the stack closest to the DockPod For daisy chaining FireWire devices from other manufacturers check the manufacturers instruc...

Page 34: ...ked on RocketPod module to the next FireWire device in the chain If your RocketPod stack is NOT first in the chain Connect the DockPod to the previ ous device in the chain If the RocketPod stack is not last in the chain connect the right hand FireWire port of a stacked on RocketPod module to the next FireWire device in the chain 32 open FireWire port RocketPod Stack FireWire devices FireWire cable...

Page 35: ...Q How many RocketPod modules can you stack onto a DockPod A You can stack up to five RocketPod modules onto a DockPod If you have any USB hubs connected to the same computer as the DockPod the number of USB 2 0 RocketPod modules you can stack on the DockPod decreases by the number of hubs whether the DockPod is connected to a hub or not The number of FireWire modules you can stack is not affected ...

Page 36: ...ou simply can t because the power is controlled from the DockPod If you want to remove a RocketPod module from a stack you only need to dismount the device before removing it After the device is dismounted it will still be powered on but it is perfectly safe to remove it If the module you wish to remove has one or more modules stacked above it you must dismount and remove these modules first Q Can...

Page 37: ... actually you can It is possible to connect the USB 2 0 inter face to one computer and the FireWire interface to another comput er Any USB 2 0 RocketPod modules in your stack will be recognized by one computer and only that computer the FireWire modules in the same stack will be recognized by the other computer and only that other computer You cannot use a RocketPod module on two computers simulta...

Page 38: ...and that it is properly connected For example if the RocketPod module you stacked onto your DockPod uses a USB 2 0 interface make sure you properly connect the DockPod s USB 2 0 interface to your computer or USB hub Q I have a RocketPod module stacked onto my DockPod but the Stack light is not on A First make sure your DockPod is turned on If it is the most likely cause is the module is not proper...

Page 39: ... connectors are inactive they do not have power so it is perfectly safe to touch them However we do recommend that you cover the free connector using the Connector Cap that comes with every stack on RocketPod peripheral in order to protect the connector and prevent dust from collecting on it Q When I leave my computer idle for a while and come back my RocketPod modules won t work properly A The mo...

Page 40: ...nstructions properly 2 Consult the Frequently Asked Questions FAQs section of this guide The FAQs will have answers to most questions 3 If the issue you are having is still not resolved by using the FAQs please contact Technical Support using one of the following options a via the online Technical Support form at our web site www acomdata com b via e mail at techsupport acomdata com c by telephone...

Page 41: ...vices such as computers and computer peripherals Byte A unit of digital information usually made up of eight bits Daisy Chain A type of connection whereby devices such as com puter peripherals are linked together in series When data is trans mitted it is passed from device to device in the chain en route to its destination Data Stream The flow of data between digital devices such as com puters and...

Page 42: ...using system memory or the CPU It is designed to support plug and play and hot swapping Gigabyte 1 024 megabytes binary 1 000 megabytes decimal or approximately one billion bytes Hardware Physical components of a computer system computer hard drives printers etc Hub A device which links peripherals together onto the same data bus Interface Junction between two items of hardware or software for the...

Page 43: ...hat controls the assignment and use of hardware and software resources Peripheral A generic term for hard drives printers scanners and other discrete devices that add functionality to a computer Port A connection which enables compatible peripherals to send and receive data Software A set of instructions that enable a computer to perform pre programmed functions in the order specified by the user ...

Page 44: ...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 This is in contrast to a peer to peer technology such as FireWire IEEE 1394 which does not need a host computer for communication between devices 42 ...

Page 45: ...date of pur chase from AcomData or its local representative supplier AcomData will supply at no charge new or rebuilt replacement parts in exchange for defective parts of this Product Any replacement parts will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or ninety 90 days from installation by AcomData All exchanged parts replaced under this warranty will become the property of A...

Page 46: ... age that provides the Product with a degree of protection equiva lent to that of the original packaging to AcomData Please contact 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...

Page 47: ...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 REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE CONSUMER ACOMDATA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM AGES FOR BRE...

Page 48: ...TED 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 This warranty gives you specific rights you may have other rights which vary from state to state 46 ...

Page 49: ...cluding U S Pat Nos 6 379 191 D445 800 and D448 031 TRADEMARKS The AcomData name and its logos are registered trademarks of AcomData RocketPod DrivePod NASPod DVDPod A VPod BluePod Stack Play and the RocketPod logo are trademarks used under license by AcomData Apple Mac Macintosh and FireWire are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc Microsoft Windows 98 Windows 98SE and Windows 2000 are reg...

Page 50: ...a reserves the right to make changes or revisions in the product design or the product manual without reservation and without obligation to notify any person of such revisions and changes FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT FCC This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules CA...

Page 51: ......

Page 52: ... more effective more powerful presentations with ease MultiMedia Viewer View your JPEG photos and MPEG video clips on your TV Listen to MP3s on your stereo or add headphones and take your tunes on the go AWEGO Portable Tablet DVD Player Enjoy your favorite movies music and photos at home on the road or just about any where else Can be mounted to a wall or in your car with optional mounting kits OT...

Search results

Summary of Contents for DockPod RPDOCKU2FA

Reviews:

Related manuals for DockPod RPDOCKU2FA

Brands by name

Popular brands

Acomdata DockPod RPDOCKU2FA, User Manual

Search results

Summary of Contents for DockPod RPDOCKU2FA

Reviews:

Related manuals for DockPod RPDOCKU2FA

Brands by name

Popular brands