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Hardware Installation Steps
This section covers the installation of the Allegro USB 3.0 4-Port
card into your computer or Thunderbolt-to-PCIe expansion chassis.
1.
Shut down your computer or Thunderbolt-to-PCIe expansion
chassis, and then open it to access the expansion card area
(PCIe slots); refer to the user’s manual for specific information.
2.
Locate an available PCIe slot and remove its access cover.
3.
Remove the Sonnet card from its packaging, and then install
it into the PCI Express slot;
make sure the card is firmly
seated and secured.
4.
Close the computer or Thunderbolt-to-PCIe expansion chassis.
Driver Information—OS X
The drivers that enable the Allegro USB 3.0 4-Port card to work
in your computer or Thunderbolt expansion chassis are installed
as part of OS X 10.8.5 and later; the Allegro card is ready to use
when you power on your computer.
Driver Download and Installation Steps—Windows
Download and install drivers to support the Allegro card in
computers running Windows.
1.
Turn on your computer and log in. During startup, a Found
New Hardware Wizard window will appear; click Cancel.
2. Log onto the Internet, and go to http://www.sonnettech.
com/support/kb/kb.php, click on the Computer Cards link,
and then click on the PCIe Cards link.
3.
Locate and click the Allegro USB 3.0 4-Port link, then click
the Driver link, and then click the Allegro USB 3.0 4-Port
Driver (Windows) link. Click the Download Now link; a new
window or tab will open.
4.
In the new window or tab, locate and click the download
link for the latest driver for Fresco Logic FL-1000/1009 USB
3.0 Controllers. When asked whether to run or save the
file, click Save. If prompted to select a location to save the
file, select a new location to save the file or accept the default
location, and then click Save.
5.
When notified the download has completed, click Open
Folder; a new window will open.
6.
Double-click the Fresco_USB3… file. When the Open File –
Security Warning window appears, click Run.
Allegro USB 3.0 4-Port Quick Start Guide
7.
When the next window appears, select a new location to save
the files or accept the default location, and then click Extract.
8.
In the location where the files were extracted, locate and
double-click the Setup file; the driver installer will launch.
9.
When the Welcome to the Fresco Logic Host Controller Setup
Wizard window appears, click Next.
10.
When the Fresco Logic xHCI Driver License Terms window
appears, read the terms, and then click Yes.
11.
When the Select Installation Folder window appears, click Next.
12.
When the Ready to Install window appears, click Install. If
you haven’t disabled User Access Control (UAC) on your
computer, another window will appear asking you to allow
the program to run; click Yes (or Continue); the driver will
be installed.
13.
When the Completing the Fresco Logic USB 3.0 Host Controller
Setup Wizard window appears, click Finish; the installation is
complete and the card is ready to use.
Known Limitations and Advice—All Users
USB and USB peripherals have some limitations you should be
aware of, and we have listed some additional advice here. Refer to
the peripheral manufacturers’ Websites for more information.
• USB 3.0 devices require USB 3.0 cables to support USB 3.0
(SuperSpeed) transfer speeds (up to 5 Gb/s). Use of USB 2.0 cables
between USB 3.0 devices and Allegro USB 3.0 4-Port is supported,
but data transfers are limited to USB 2.0 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s).
• Many peripherals require additional drivers and application
software to operate or have full functionality. Software should
be included with the device, or available to download from the
manufacturer’s Website. Check the peripheral’s user’s manual
for information about necessary software.
• Always “eject”, “stop”, “unplug”, or “put away” any drive (hard
drive, SSD, etc.) before disconnecting it from its cable or the
Sonnet card.
• Always “eject” any memory card before removing it from the
card reader, or disconnecting the card reader (with the card
inserted in it) from its cable or the Sonnet card.
• Disconnecting drives while they are transferring or receiving
data, may result in damage to the file(s) being transferred or
cause your system to hang.
• Although many peripherals may draw power directly from the
Sonnet card, other devices require an external power source.
Remember to use external power supplies when necessary.
Support Note:
Although drivers that enable the Allegro
USB 3.0 4-Port card to operate in systems running
Windows 8 and Server 2012 are installed automatically, Sonnet
strongly recommends you download and install the latest drivers
through Sonnet’s website.
