Lacie 301294U User Manual - Page 30

Available Storage Capacity, 3. Optimizing Data Transfers,

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LaCie Big Disk USB 2.0 User's Manual 5. Tech Tips page 30 5.2. Available Storage Capacity A gigabyte (GB) means 1,000,000,000 bytes. In order to utilize a hard disk drive, it has to be formatted first. Formatting a disk consists of the following: the operating system erases all of the bookkeeping information on the disk, tests the disk to make sure that all of the sectors are reliable, marks bad sectors (i.e., those that are scratched) and creates internal address tables that it later uses to locate information. Once formatted, the actual available storage capacity varies, depending on operating environment, and is generally about 10% less than the non-formatted capacity. 5.3. Optimizing Data Transfers Data transfers are the flow of data that accomplishes a task, usually related to moving data from storage to computer RAM, or between storage devices. With external drives, such as the LaCie Big Disk USB 2.0, the data is transferred from the drive to the computer via the USB interface. The data is fed from the drive through the USB port on the drive, and passes to the computer through either the USB host-bus adapter interface. Computer manufacturer's implementation of the USB host-bus adapter interfaces vary widely. For computers running Windows 2000 and later, the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface is a fairly standard feature. Nearly all recent Apple computers support the original USB standard*, while Hi-Speed USB 2.0 has only just recently been adopted. *Tech Note: For more information on USB interfaces, please see: 6.USB Questions & Answers. The USB interfaces specify certain requirements, filed under the OHCI (Open Host Controller Interface) standards. All LaCie drives comply to OHCI standards and have been rigorously tested on computers that have host bus adapters that also comply to OHCI standards. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers respect these guidelines, and anomalies may arise with computers that have host bus adapters that do not conform to OHCI standards. Tech Note: Please see 3.4 Installing Multiple Devices for more information. For the best performance, connect your LaCie Big Disk USB 2.0 directly to a native USB port on your computer. During data transfers, it's best to wait before launching other applications that will be using the same port. If you do not have a native USB port, LaCie offers USB host bust adapter cards, also known as PCI or PC/PCMCIA cards, that have been tested and comply with LaCie drives. Please contact your reseller or LaCie Customer Support for more information. Tech Note: Another important factor in file transfer speeds is how the drive has been formatted. For more information in choosing the correct file system fomat, please see section 5.1 File System Formats.

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5. Tech Tips
page 30
LaCie Big Disk USB 2.0
User’s Manual
5.2. Available Storage Capacity
A gigabyte (GB) means 1,000,000,000 bytes. In order to utilize a hard disk drive, it has to be formatted first. Formatting a
disk consists of the following: the operating system erases all of the bookkeeping information on the disk, tests the disk to
make sure that all of the
sectors are reliable, marks bad sectors (i.e., those that are scratched) and creates internal address
tables that it later uses to locate information. Once formatted, the actual available storage capacity varies, depending on
operating environment, and is generally about 10% less than the non-formatted capacity.
5.3. Optimizing Data Transfers
Data transfers are the flow of data that accomplishes a task, usually related to moving data from storage to computer RAM,
or between storage devices. With external drives, such as the LaCie Big Disk USB 2.0, the data is transferred from the drive to
the computer via the USB interface. The data is fed from the drive through the USB port on the drive, and passes to the
computer through either the USB host-bus adapter interface.
Computer manufacturer’s implementation of the USB host-bus adapter interfaces
vary widely. For computers running Windows 2000 and later, the Hi-Speed USB
2.0 interface is a fairly standard feature. Nearly all recent Apple computers
support the original USB standard*, while Hi-Speed USB 2.0 has only just recently
been adopted.
The USB interfaces specify certain requirements, filed under the OHCI (Open Host
Controller Interface) standards. All LaCie drives comply to OHCI standards and have been rigorously tested on computers that
have host bus adapters that also comply to OHCI standards. Unfortunately, not all
manufacturers respect these guidelines, and anomalies may arise with computers
that have host bus adapters that do not conform to OHCI standards.
For the best performance, connect your LaCie Big Disk USB 2.0 directly to a
native USB port on your computer. During data transfers, it’s best to wait before launching other applications that will be
using the same port.
If you do not have a native USB port, LaCie offers USB host bust adapter cards,
also known as PCI or PC/PCMCIA cards, that have been tested and comply with
LaCie drives. Please contact your reseller or
LaCie Customer Suppor
t
for more information.
*Tech Note:
For more
information on USB interfaces,
please see:
6.USB Questions &
Answers
.
Tech Note:
Please see
3.4 Installing Multiple Devices
for more information.
Tech Note:
Another important
factor in file transfer speeds is
how the drive has been
formatted. For more information
in choosing the correct file
system fomat, please see section
5.1 File System Formats
.