LACIE FASTKEY: USER MANUAL
of this document for the most recent content as well as for features such as expandable
illustrations, easier navigation, and search capability.
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LaCie User Manual
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
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Computer with a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port
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Windows: Latest version of XP, Vista, or 7
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Mac: Latest version of OS X 10.5 or 10.6 (Mac Intel only for LaCie Private-Public software)
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Minimum free disk space: 600MB recommended
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High-speed Internet for online storage
Technical note: The LaCie FastKey transfer rates will be affected by the USB interface on your computer.
While compatible with USB 2.0, LaCie recommends using a USB 3.0 port for optimal performance.
Connecting the FastKey to a USB 2.0 port will only allow for USB 2.0 transfer rates. If you do not have a USB
3.0 port on your computer, consider adding one. LaCie offers a range of accessories including USB 3.0 PCI
Express expansion cards for desktop computers and ExpressCard34 for laptops: www.lacie.com/accessories
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LaCie User Manual
USB SUPERSPEED 3.0 AND HI-SPEED 2.0 INTERFACES
USB 3.0
USB is a serial input/output technology for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 is
the latest version of the USB standard, providing higher bandwidth and greater power economy.
Transfer rates for USB 3.0 can attain up to 5 Gigabits per second (Gb/s). Due to such high potential for reading
and writing data, USB 3.0 is theoretically up to ten times faster than its predecessor, USB 2.0. To allow for easier
adaption to new technology, USB 3.0 portable key drives and USB 3.0 cables are built for backwards
compatibility. It is possible to connect them to USB 2.0 ports on a computer. Please note that transfer rates will
always adhere to the speed of the computer's USB connection, type of cables, and type of connectors.
USB 3.0 Key, Flash Drive
or Cable Interface End
USB 2.0
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 is the predecessor to USB 3.0. Since its release in 2000, USB 2.0 has provided the necessary
bandwidth to support electronic and computer peripheral devices, including hard drives, CD/DVD drives, and
digital cameras. Data transfer rates can reach up to 480 Megabits per second (Mb/s).
Similar to USB 3.0, the USB 2.0 standard requires native USB 2.0 cables and connectors to achieve Hi-Speed
transfer rates. Please note that USB 2.0 cables and connectors are compatible with the USB 1.1 interface, an
older and much slower iteration of the USB serial standard. USB 1.1 was released in 1998 with transfer rates of
up to 12 Mb/s.
USB 2.0 Key, Flash Drive,
or Cable Interface End
USB 3.0 NATIVE AND USB 2.0 COMPATIBLE
Your LaCie FastKey has the potential to reach USB 3.0 SuperSpeed transfer rates. However, it is also compatible
with USB 2.0 interfaces to make certain that everyone can access data stored on the FastKey. If you are
interested in USB 3.0 transfer rates but your computer does not include a USB 3.0 interface, please go to
www.lacie.com/accessories to see our selection of PCI Express interface cards for desktops and ExpressCard34
for laptops.
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CONNECTING THE FASTKEY TO A COMPUTER
The FastKey is an easy Plug & Play USB Key. Locate the USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port on your computer and attach
the USB male end of the FastKey.
FastKey USB 3.0 Male Connection
RUNNING LACIE SETUP ASSISTANT
Before using your LaCie storage device, LaCie Setup Assistant software must be launched. It will:
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Easily format your storage device according to your needs.
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Copy the User Manual and software utilities onto the storage device.
Once LaCie Setup Assistant has finished formatting your storage device, you can install and run the included
LaCie software utilities for additional features. Please see the applicable section(s) in your LaCie User Manual for
more information.
To launch LaCie Setup Assistant
LaCie Setup Assistant should launch automatically once you have connected your LaCie storage device to a
computer. If it has not launched, follow the steps below to begin preparing your LaCie storage device.
Windows users
Double click on the LaCie icon in My Computer/Computer and then double click start.exe.
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LaCie User Manual
Mac users
Double click on the LaCie icon on your desktop.
LaCie User Manual
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All users
Follow the on-screen instructions to partition your storage device and install preloaded software. You will be
given the choice of creating a single partition called “LA-PUBLIC” or two partitions called “LaCie” and
“LA-PUBLIC”. Once you have selected, LaCie Setup Assistant will format your LaCie storage device. Please see
About File System Formats to learn more about file system formats.
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Choose the single LA-PUBLIC partition to format the LaCie storage device for your operating system only: NTFS
(Windows) or HFS+ (Mac).
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Choose two partitions if you intend to share data among computers with different operating systems (Windows,
Mac, and Linux). The LaCie partition will be formatted for your computer's operating system (NTFS or HFS+)
and the LA-PUBLIC partition will be formatted for compatibility among many operating systems (FAT 32).
Please note that the LA-PUBLIC partition cannot exceed 32 GB.
Important info for users who select sharing: If your LaCie storage device is 32 GB or less, LaCie Setup
Assistant will only create a single partition called LA-PUBLIC.
Important info: If you do not launch LaCie Setup Assistant or if you quit LaCie Setup Assistant after the
formatting has begun, your storage device will not be ready to use. In such cases, you must format the
storage device manually. Further, the User Manual and software utilities will not be available on your storage
device. You may download User Manuals and select software utilities from the LaCie website:
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LaCie User Manual
Important info: LaCie recommends that you copy the User Manual and utilities onto your computer's
internal hard drive or another storage source when the setup is complete.
The LaCie Setup Assistant does not prevent you from using your computer's native disk utility program to
format or partition your LaCie storage device. Simply follow the Setup Assistant through completion, then use
your computer's native disk utility (Disk Management for Windows or Disk Utility for Mac) to reformat your drive.
Please note that formatting a disk deletes all of its data, including the User Manual and LaCie Private-Public
software. LaCie highly recommends that you copy all data stored on your LaCie storage device before launching
the operating system disk utility.
UNMOUNTING THE LACIE KEY SAFELY
When you wish to remove the LaCie Key from a computer, please do so according to the requirements of your
operating system. Both Windows and Mac offer simple methods of ejecting storage peripherals without the risk
of losing data or interrupting the system operation. See Unmounting the LaCie Key for further information.
LaCie User Manual
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UNMOUNTING THE LACIE KEY
USB, FireWire, and eSATA external devices feature “plug & play” connectivity, which means that your drive can
be connected and disconnected while the computer is running. To prevent failures, however, it is important to
follow these steps when disconnecting your LaCie hard disk.
WINDOWS XP USERS
From the System Tray (located in the lower right-hand side of your screen), click the Eject icon (a small green
arrow over a hardware image). A message will appear, listing the devices the Eject icon controls (it should say,
“Safely remove…”). Click on the LaCie hard disk in this prompt.
This message will appear: “Safe to Remove Hardware” (or similar). It is now safe to disconnect the device.
WINDOWS VISTA & WINDOWS 7 USERS
From the System Tray (located in the lower right-hand side of your screen) click on the plug icon (note the white
check mark inside a green circle).
A message will appear, detailing the devices that may be safely unmounted.
Select Eject for the device you wish to unmount. A message will appear notifying you that it is safe to remove
the device.
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LaCie User Manual
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