How to Troubleshoot a SmartDisk FireLite

By Stephen Lilley

The SmartDisk FireLite is an external storage disk drive for computers designed to connect to a PC using either a standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or a cable type called "FireWire." FireWire is a data cable similar in concept to the widely used USB, although FireWire can transfer data much faster than even the fastest available USB cable. If you're having problems with your SmartDisk FireLite, troubleshooting can help shed some light on exactly what has gone wrong.

Step 1

Format your SmartDisk FireLite. With your drive connected to your computer, open the "Computer" folder in your "Start" button menu and right-click your SmartDisk's icon. Click "Format" and "Start." The SmartDisk FireLite does not come with a file system already installed on it, which requires you to manually set one up before you can use the drive to store files.

Step 2

Install the included device driver software. With your SmartDisk FireLite connected to your computer, insert the CD-ROM that came with the drive into your CD or DVD drive. Click "Install" when the software loads to install the SmartDisk FireLite device driver. When the driver installation utility indicates that the process is finished, reboot your computer. The driver will be installed and Windows will be able to recognize the drive.

Step 3

Use the SmartDisk FireLite's included power adapter only when connecting your device to your computer with a USB cable. If your unit can use both FireWire and USB, using USB requires you to also use the power adapter. If your SmartDisk FireLite can only use USB, you are required to use the power adapter. If your SmartDisk FireLite is connected to your computer using FireWire, however, you don't need to use the included power adapter because the device will be able to power itself using the electricity from your computer.

Step 4

Compress your SmartDisk FireLite to free up additional room. The SmartDisk FireLite is an older hard drive, and one that may not have the capacity you require when used with modern computers. To fit more files onto your drive, click "Start" and "Computer" while the SmartDisk is connected to your PC. Right-click the SmartDisk's icon and click "Properties." Check the "Compress this Drive" option and click "OK." Windows will compress the drive. This will not alter any of the files contained on the drive, but it will allow you to store more files than normal if you have found the unit's lack of storage problematic.

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