| External Storage Q&A |
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| Q1: Why can't I transfer 4GB or larger files to storage media? Why do I receive a “destination disk drive is full” message when I know there is still space available on the destination disk? |
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| A: The Windows FAT32 file system supports maximum single file of 4GB only. To resolve this, storage media can be formatted to NTFS. |
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| Q2: Why is my actual capacity of the product less than what is marked on the packaging? How much less capacity is reasonable? |
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| A: Differences in size shown are mainly due to differences in computer operating systems, the calculation method for an external hard drive capacity, and the Controller IC's operations result in different ways. Generally, hard disk manufacturers usually calculate capacity based on the decimal system, and computer systems are actually binary.
Hard drive manufacturer:
1KB = 1000 Bytes, 1MB = 1000KB, 1GB = 1000MB, 1TB = 1000GB
Operating system:
1KB = 1024 Bytes, 1MB = 1024KB, 1GB = 1024MB, 1TB = 1024GB
So for example, a hard disk marked as 500GB capacity is
500GB = 500 x 1,000MB x 1,000KB x 1,000Bytes = 500,000,000,000 Bytes, but in binary the capacity is calculated as 500,000,000,000 Bytes / 1024KB / 1024MB / 1024GB, approximately 465GB.
Fastest method of calculation: the hard disk capacity x 0.93 = the approximate actual hard disk capacity |
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| Q3: Why can’t my computer detect an external hard drive? |
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| A: There are two general possibilities:
‧Lack of power: The hard disk should be attached to the USB power cable connector into the USB slot on the back of the computer. Make sure your computer supplies enough power for the hard disk to run. Do not use a USB Hub, extension cord, or other USB devices together, because doing so may cause power undersupply, resulting in the external drive being unable to be read.
‧ Volume has not been added: In Windows XP/Vista/7 operating systems, go to Disk Management to confirm that the hard disk is installed. |
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| Q4: When I connect the external hard drive, the system asks me if I want to format it! |
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| A: For the first time installation, system requirement for a format is normal. However, if the external hard drive has data, and the system asks you to format the drive when you connect it to a computer, then the external drive may not be installed correctly. Attach the USB power transmission line to the USB slot behind the computer, and ensure that the computer has sufficient power. Do not use a USB hub, extension cord, or other USB devices, as doing so may cause a power shortage and cause your computer to be unable to read the hard drive. |
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| Q5: How should I back up important data for secure storage? How long can it be stored? |
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| A: Of the current varieties of storage media, including CD-ROM, hard drive, & SSD, none can offer secure permanent storage of data. Therefore, it is recommended that critical data be backed up on several different devices to spread the risk. |
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| Q6: What are the differences between SSD & HDD? |
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| A: Solid State Drives (SSD) are storage devices like hard drives, but with much better performance, especially as regards random access speeds. But because of their higher price, they are often more suitable to be used as the drive from which the operating system is run. The slower speeds of HDDs mean they are likely to be used as data backup media, and for data archives. |
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| Q7: How do I partition a hard drive? |
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| A: In Windows XP, you can partition disks through Control Panel / administrative tools / computer management / disk management. Select the installed hard disk, and press the right mouse button, and select the option to partition the drive. |
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| Q8: Do newly purchases hard drives need to be formatted? Which format is better? |
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| A: New hard drives need to be formatted in order for the system to read and write data. The NTFS file system is recommended. |
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| Q9: Why is my hard disk squawking, or making a lot of weird noise? |
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| A: If you hear any unusual or loud noise emanating from your hard drive, we recommend you contact customer service for help in ascertaining the problem. |
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| Q10: The USB cable that came with my hard drive has two connectors on one end. What are they for? Do they both have to be connected to the computer? |
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| A: USB 2.0 connectors can each supply 500mA of current for use with an external hard drive. In high load conditions, instability may occur due to the drive trying to draw more than 500mA. In these instances, the second USB connector is provided to supply more power when needed. To use an external hard drive, the both connectors on the Y-cable can be connected to the computer's USB interface slots, in order to avoid potential problems. |
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| Q11: I bought a USB 3.0 hard drive, and the computer with USB 3.0 interface can read the drive with no problem. But computers with USB 2.0 interface cannot read the drive. Are they incompatible? |
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| A: USB 3.0 external hard drives may require more current than a similar USB 2.0 device. So it is possible that the USB 2.0 connection will not deliver the required amount of power. If this happens, use both connectors of the Y cable to connect the drive to two USB 2.0 ports, in order to ensure adequate power for the USB 3.0 device. |
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| Q12: When the hard disk is in use, halfway into a transfer I receive an I / O device error! How can I save the data I was working with? |
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| A: If data transfer is interrupted, make sure that the error was not caused by a lack of power. If a transmission interruption occurs, please reconnect the device and retry the data transmission. In theory, data will not disappear because of interruptions in the transfer process. |
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| Q13: Why does my data transfer sometimes stop in the middle of the process? |
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| A: USB 3.0 external hard drives may require more current than a similar USB 2.0 device. So it is possible that the USB 2.0 connection will not deliver the required amount of power. If this happens, use both connectors on the Y cable to connect the drive to two USB 2.0 ports, in order to ensure adequate power for the USB 3.0 device. |
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| Q14: After the ADATA external drive has been formatted by a Smart TV, the drive then cannot be read by my computer. Is there a compatibility issue with Smart TV? |
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| A: A: Some Smart TVs use the Linux file system format (or a format different from the Windows file system). Due to differences in the external hard drive format, computers with Windows operating systems will not recognize the drive. To use the external drive with your computer, use the computer’s operating system “Disk Management” to reformat the drive with a file system that Windows can recognize. (Formatting the hard drive will delete all of its contents, so back up all data before formatting) |
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| Submit a question to our technical support team |
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