BeanTech/Data Castle Mobile Rack FAQ

Why don't I see my new drive on the "My Computer" Icon

After checking all the above points, if you still have a problem

I have used the Data Castle before but now I have problems accessing the drive

When I use another carrier to swap drives I cannot access the drive

I lost the key to lock or unlock the drive carrier

Can Data Castle provide hot swap capability?

I have another brand of HDD mobile rack. Can I swap with Data Castle?

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Q: Why don't I see my new drive on the "My Computer" Icon
A:
1. Check to see if the Data Castle green LED lights. If not, turn the key clockwise to the "power ON" position. The green LED must be lit for the drive to receive power.

2. If the green LED is lit, check the motherboard BIOS setup (see your motherboard manual). The BIOS should be set to acknowledge the new drive. (If using hot swap software, the BIOS may be set to "none" for the hot swap drive.)

3. Initialize the drive using FDISK. New drives are generally not partitioned or formatted when purchased. FDISK will partition the drive and prepare it for formatting.

4. I still cannot see a new drive icon after double-clicking "My Computer" or in Windows Explorer. Check the ID select in previous sections of this manual. Each drive must be set to either MA (master) or SL (slave) and there may be only one master and one slave on any one cable. If two drives on one cable are both set to master or both set to slave, they will be unrecognizable to the computer. Top of Page

Q: After checking all the above points, if you still have a problem:
A:
Try installing the drive without the Data Castle to determine if the problem is the drive or the Data Castle. If the drive works then either the Data Castle is improperly installed or improperly used, or it could be malfunctioning. Return it to your supplier. If the drive does not work then return the drive to your supplier. Top of Page

Q: I have used the Data Castle before but now I have problems accessing the drive.
A:
Most problems come from connector contact failure. You may need to clean the connectors between the carrier and the frame. Use a dry toothbrush to clean the carrier and frame "Centronics" male and female connectors. Top of Page

Q: When I use another carrier to swap drives I cannot access the drive.
A:
Check the motherboard BIOS setting and the drive ID setup in previous sections of this manual. Each drive must be set to either MA (master) or SL (slave) and there may be only one master and one slave on any one cable. If two drives on one cable are both set to master or both set to slave, they will be unrecognizable to the computer. IDE interface require each host IDE cable can not have two device setting same ID select, if ID setup is OK following install step to solve problem. Top of Page

Q: I lost the key to lock or unlock the drive carrier.
A:
Each Data Castle includes 2 keys. Be sure to save them for future use. You can probably get another key from your supplier. Top of Page

Q: Can Data Castle provide hot swap capability?
A:
First check to see if have BT10XX or BT27XX. Those models have an optional electric power key lock. Other BTXX model are standard with electric power key lock. An electric power key lock is required in order to be able to hot swap the drive since it controls power to the drive. Some models include hot swap software. If not, and you want to test it for free, visit our web site at www.softhelp.cc/beantech. Top of Page

Q: I have another brand of HDD mobile rack. Can I swap with Data Castle?
A:
Because there is no HDD mobile rack standard specification, we recommend you only use Data Castle series for swapping. Other brands may have different pin assignments and power may be routed incorrectly, possibly damaging the hard disk drive. (Data Castle will swap with Lian Li RHXX series drive carriers. Data Castle IDE mobile racks can swap with IDE RHXX mobile racks and Data Castle SCSI mobile racks can swap with SCSI RHXX mobile racks.) Top of Page