The drive ships pre-formatted with a FAT32 file system to provide greater exchangeability between different operating systems. FAT32 is recognized by Windows and Mac OS and allows the drive to be used on both platforms; however, FAT32 is not the most efficient file system for either Windows 2000/XP or Mac OS X. If you plan to use the drive cross-platform, it is recommended that you keep the FAT32 formatting. If you will be using the drive on a single platform, you can improve drive performance by reformatting the drive to use the default file system for your operating system.
Some models ship preformatted HFS+ (Mac OS). If you are using the drive on a Windows PC and the drive is not recognized, reformat the drive to either NTFS or FAT32. If Windows recognizes the drive, it is already formatted FAT32 and does not need to be reformatted.
The drive ships preformatted HFS+ (Mac OS). If you are using the drive on a Windows PC, reformat the drive to either NTFS (Windows 2000/XP) or FAT32 (Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP).
The following table provides information on formats supported by different operating systems.
| Operating System | HFS+ | NTFS | FAT32 |
| Mac OS X | Native format | Recognized2 | Cross-platform |
| Windows XP/2000 | Not recognized | Native format | Cross-platform |
| Windows 98/98SE/Me1 | Not recognized | Not recognized | Native format Cross-platform |
1 Not supportted for all Iomega hard drives.
2 Read-only depending on drive capacity.
NOTES:
HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) provides best performance with Mac OS. For some drive models, HFS+ format is required for the full capacity to be recognized by the Mac. An HFS+ formatted drive will not be recognized by a Windows-based PC.
NTFS is the native format type for Windows XP/2000, but is not recognized by other versions of Windows. This format might be read-only on Mac OS X (depending on drive capacity).
FAT32 allows the drive to be used cross-platform because it is recognized by Windows and Mac OS. However, it is not the most efficient format for either Mac OS or Windows XP/2000. If you will be using the drive on a single platform, you can improve drive performance by using the native format for your operating system.
CAUTION! Formatting the drive will erase all existing data! If you have files on the drive you want to save, move them to another drive before reformatting.
Make sure you have copied any needed files to another location.
Select Applications → Utilities → Disk Utility
Select the Erase tab. In the left hand column, be sure to select the correct disk to be erased.
For HFS+ format, select Mac OS Extended in the Volume Format box.
If you plan to use the drive cross-platform, select MS-DOS File System for FAT32 format. Note the FAT32 limitations below.
Click the Erase button.
Limitations for a FAT32 volume on a Mac operating system:
The drive may mount slower.
Files may copy slower.
The full capacity of the drive might not be available if the drive is formatted as a single large volume. If the drive does not mount or you do not see the full capacity of the drive, you need to partition the drive into smaller volumes (less than 127GB).
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NTFS Format
Connect the Iomega drive to your computer.
Open Windows Disk Management (right click on My Computer, select Manage, and click on Disk Management).
If the Disk Wizard opens, click Next. Select the disk, click Next, then Finish.
If the Wizard does not open, locate the drive in the lower list. Look for a disk that does not show a drive letter or file system. Right click on the drive name and select Initialize Disk (Windows XP) or Write Signature (Windows 2000), then OK.
The drive will now appear as Unallocated and the bar will be black. Right click on the black bar and select New Partition (Windows XP) or Create Partition (Windows 2000).
When the Partition Wizard opens, click Next.
Verify that the partition type is Primary Partition and click Next.
Leave the maximum disk space selected and click Next.
Assign the next drive letter available and click Next.
Check the option for Perform a quick format, click Next, then click Finish. The drive will be ready to use when the format completes.
NOTE: The NTFS format is recognized only by Windows 2000/XP. If you plan to use your drive cross-platform, you should format the drive FAT32.
FAT32 Format
After completing the NTFS format procedure above, use the Iomega FAT32 Formatter to change the format to FAT32.
Download the Iomega FAT32 Formatter from Support & Downloads area on www.iomega.com.
Double click the application to run the formatter.
With the drive highlighted, click Format, then OK. The drive will be ready to use when the format completes.
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To change the drive format from HFS+ to FAT32 in Windows 98 or Me, you must use FDISK to change the fixed drive type and create a DOS partition. This is a lengthy and technical procedure which requires the latest version of FDISK (available for download from the support area on www.microsoft.com). For detailed formatting instructions, please visit the Support & Downloads area on www.iomega.com.
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For best performance on Windows 2000 or XP, change the drive format to NTFS. You can either reformat the drive, or convert the FAT32 format to NTFS using the Windows 2000/XP utility.
NOTE: If the drive is formatted to NTFS, it might appear as a read-only volume when connected to a Mac OS system, or it might not be readable at all, depending on the version of Mac OS X. If you need to change the drive format from NTFS back to FAT32, follow the instructions below for reformatting to FAT32.
The following instructions will format the drive as a single large volume with an NTFS file system. If you want to partition the drive, check Windows help for more information.
Open Windows Disk Management (right click on My Computer, select Manage, and click on Disk Management).
Select the Iomega Hard Drive. Look for the drive letter assigned by Windows.
Delete the existing FAT32 partition.
The drive will now appear as Unallocated and the bar will be black. Right click on the black bar and select New Partition (Windows XP) or Create Partition (Windows 2000).
When the Partition Wizard opens, click Next.
Verify that the partition type is Primary Partition and click Next.
Leave the maximum disk space selected and click Next.
Assign the next drive letter available and click Next.
Check the option for Perform a quick format, click Next, then click Finish. The drive will be ready to use when the format completes.
CAUTION! Converting the drive from FAT32 to NTFS may cause data loss if a problem is encountered. You cannot convert an NTFS formatted drive back to a FAT32 format without reformatting, which will erase all existing data on the drive.
Close all open programs and files.
Click Start and then click Run.
Within the Open: box, type CMD and press the Enter key.
At the C:\ prompt, type CONVERT X: /FS:NTFS (where X: is the drive letter assigned to the Iomega Hard Drive.
Press the Enter key.
If you want to change the drive format from NTFS back to FAT32, format the drive using the Iomega FAT32 Formatter.
Download the Iomega FAT32 Formatter from Support & Downloads area on www.iomega.com.
Double click the application to run the formatter.
With the drive highlighted, click Format, then OK. The drive will be ready to use when the format completes.
For the most recent information on formatting Iomega hard drives, please visit the Support & Downloads area on www.iomega.com.
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If you want to use multiple partitions on the drive, use the formatting utility for your operating system to create the partitions. See the formatting instructions above.
NOTE: Iomega does NOT recommend partitioning under Windows 98/98SE.
NOTE: When partitioning the drive on Mac OS X, version 10.2 or lower, it is recommended that you use the same format on all partitions. If you use different formats, only the first partition will automatically mount on the Mac desktop. In this case, you can use Disk Utility to mount the additional partitions.
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IMPORTANT: Before disconnecting the drive, make sure you save files and close all folders and applications on the drive to avoid losing data.
Use the Safely Remove Hardware utility before you disconnect power or the USB or FireWire cable.
Ensure all files or programs on the drive are closed.
Double click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar.
Select the Iomega® Hard Drive and click Stop; a new window will open.
Select the drive again and click OK.
You can then safely disconnect the drive.
Disconnecting the drive on a Mac:
Ensure all files or programs on the drive are closed.
Drag the Iomega drive icon onto the Trash icon.
You can then safely disconnect the drive.
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The second FireWire connection on the Iomega Hard Drive can be used to connect other FireWire devices to your computer. You might need to purchase an appropriate FireWire cable to connect a device with FireWire 400 connectors to the FireWire 800 port on the drive. Check the FireWire Guidelines for recommendations when using multiple FireWire devices.
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Using the USB and FireWire Hubs
The MiniMax drive includes both a USB 3-port hub and a FireWire 3-port hub. These can be used for connecting other USB and FireWire devices to your system.
Using the USB Hub
NOTE: The USB hub can only be used when the MiniMax drive is connected to the computer via the USB 2.0 to Mac/PC Connector. See MiniMax Components.
To connect other USB devices (including USB-powered devices) to your computer:
Connect the MiniMax drive to your computer using the USB 2.0 to Mac/PC connector.
Connect other USB devices to the USB 2.0 hub connectors on the MiniMax drive.
Using the FireWire Hub
To connect other FireWire devices to your computer:
Connect the MiniMax drive to your computer using any FireWire connector.
Connect other FireWire devices to the FireWire connectors on the MiniMax drive.
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Using the USB Hub and FireWire Pass-through
The Iomega Hard Drive includes a USB 3-port hub, one FireWire 400 port, and two FireWire 800 ports. These can be used for connecting other USB and FireWire devices to your system.
NOTE: If you are connecting the Iomega hard drive using both FireWire and USB, you may need to restart your computer after plugging in the second cable.
Using the USB Hub
NOTE: The USB hub can only be used when the Iomega Hard Drive is connected to the computer via the USB 2.0 to Mac/PC Connector. See Drive Components for the location of the USB 2.0 connector.
To connect other USB devices (including USB-powered devices) to your computer:
Connect the Iomega Hard Drive to your computer using the USB 2.0 to Mac/PC connector.
Connect other USB devices to the USB 2.0 hub connectors on the Iomega Hard Drive.
Using the FireWire Pass-through
To connect other FireWire devices to your computer:
Connect the Iomega Hard Drive to your computer using any FireWire connector.
Connect other FireWire devices to the FireWire connectors on the Iomega Hard Drive.
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The side stand is stored on the bottom of the drive. To use the side stand, remove the bottom plate from the hard drive (fig. 1). Lock the bottom plate tabs securely into the vent slots on the side of the drive opposite the drive access light (fig. 2 & 3).
CAUTION! When using the side stand, make sure the drive is located where it will not be bumped or tipped over.
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| Figure 1 |
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| Figure 2 |
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| Figure 3 |
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