FlashPath™ MultiMediaCard Installation and User`s Guide

FlashPath™ MultiMediaCard

Installation and User's Guide for IBM

®

PC and Compatibles for

Microsoft

®

Windows 95/98/NT 4.0/2000

August 2000

SmartDisk Corporation

3506 Mercantile Avenue

Naples, Florida 34104 www.smartdisk.com

No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of SmartDisk

Corporation.

© 2000 SmartDisk Corporation.

The software and documentation comprising FlashPath are proprietary products of

SmartDisk Corporation protected by copyright laws and international treaty. FlashPath is supplied with a non-transferable license, for use of one copy of the software by the licensed user. The software must not be copied or transferred to any other media other than the hard disk of a personal computer for the purposes of running the software within the constraints of the license.

Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, and Windows 2000 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

All other brand and product names are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

SmartDisk Corporation

3506 Mercantile Ave.

Naples, FL 34104

Main:

Fax: (941)

Web: www.smartdisk.com

Support: Toll free: 1-800-968-9822

E-Mail:

117-0003-010

Document Number: 115-1083-010

Date: August 2000

2

90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY

SmartDisk Corporation (the Company) warrants to the original retail purchaser of this

Product that should this Product or any part thereof (except the user changeable batteries) under normal use and conditions, be proven defective in material or workmanship within ninety (90) days from the date of purchase, such defects will be repaired or replaced (with new or rebuilt parts), at the Company's option, without charge for parts or labor directly related to the defect(s).

To obtain repairs or replacement within the terms of this Warranty, the Product should be delivered with proof of purchase and specification of defect(s), transportation prepaid, to the company from which you purchased this Product.

This Warranty does not apply to batteries, or costs incurred for their removal, reinstallation, testing, or evaluation, nor to any Product or part thereof if its correction, repair or replacement is required because of: (i) natural disasters, including fire, smoke, water, wind, earthquakes or lightning, (ii) electric power failures, (iii) the failure to maintain appropriate environmental conditions, (iv) the neglect, misuse or other than the ordinary use of the Product, or (v) attempted repairs or alterations by persons other than those employed by the Company. This Warranty is not assignable or transferable.

THE EXTENT OF THE COMPANY'S LIABILITY UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS

LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT PROVIDED ABOVE. IN THE

EVENT REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE PRODUCT IS NOT FEASIBLE, THE

COMPANY MAY, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, ELECT TO REFUND, TO THE

ORIGINAL PURCHASER, THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT. IN

NO EVENT SHALL THE COMPANY'S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PURCHASE

PRICE PAID BY PURCHASER FOR THE PRODUCT. IN NO CASE SHALL THE

COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, EVEN IF SUCH DAMAGES ARE

FORESEEABLE, RESULTING FROM THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS

PRODUCT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF

DATA.

THE EXPRESSED WARRANTY SET FORTH HEREIN IS EXCLUSIVE, AND THE

COMPANY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY

IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR

PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. ANY ACTION FOR BREACH OF ANY

WARRANTY HEREUNDER INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES MUST BE

BROUGHT WITHIN A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS FROM DATE OF ORIGINAL

PURCHASE. IN NO CASE SHALL THE COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY

CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF THIS OR

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ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WHATSOEVER.

No person or representative is authorized to assume for the Company any liability other than expressed herein in connection with the sale of this Product. Some states or territories do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you specific rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from territory to territory.

FlashPath is a trademark of SmartDisk Corporation of the U.S.A. PC/AT is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp. of the U.S.A. Microsoft and

Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation and registered in the United States and other countries. All other brand and/or product names are the property of their respective holders.

© 2000 SMARTDISK CORPORATION. ALL COMPANY AND PRODUCT NAMES

ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HOLDERS. U.S. PATENT 5,584,043

AND OTHERS.

FLASHPATH IS MANUFACTURED BY AND A TRADEMARK OF SMARTDISK

CORPORATION.

117-0004-010

DISCLAIMER

This software is provided by SmartDisk "AS IS." SmartDisk makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of this software. To the full extent permissible by applicable law, SmartDisk disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and any warranties of non-infringement. SmartDisk will not be liable to any party for direct, indirect, special or other consequential or incidental damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of this software, including, but not limited to, any lost profits, business interruption, loss of program or other data on your information handling system or otherwise, even if SmartDisk is expressly advised of the possibility of such damages.

117-0001-010

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Table of Contents

QUICK START........................................................................................................................................................... 6

I

NSTALLING THE

S

OFTWARE

F

ROM THE

F

LASH

P

ATH SOFTWARE

CD:....................................................................... 6

I

NSTALLING THE

S

OFTWARE

F

ROM THE

S

MART

D

ISK

W

EBSITE

................................................................................ 6

I

NSERT THE

M

ULTI

M

EDIA

C

ARD INTO

Y

OUR

F

LASH

P

ATH

........................................................................................ 7

I

NSERT

F

LASH

P

ATH INTO

Y

OUR

F

LOPPY

D

RIVE AND

T

RANSFER

F

ILES

.................................................................... 7

CHAPTER 1 WELCOME TO FLASHPATH MULTIMEDIACARD................................................................ 8

S

YSTEM

R

EQUIREMENTS

........................................................................................................................................... 8

O

PERATING AND

S

TORAGE

C

ONDITIONS

................................................................................................................... 8

I

NSTALLING

B

ATTERIES

............................................................................................................................................ 9

To change batteries ............................................................................................................................................. 9

I

NSERTING

M

ULTI

M

EDIA

C

ARD INTO THE

F

LASH

P

ATH

........................................................................................... 10

C

LEANING

............................................................................................................................................................... 10

CHAPTER 2 INSTALLING FLASHPATH MMC SOFTWARE........................................................................ 11

CHAPTER 3 USING THE FLASHPATH MMC .................................................................................................. 12

T

O

E

RASE

O

LD

P

ICTURES FROM A

M

ULTI

M

EDIA

C

ARD

........................................................................................... 12

T

O

U

NINSTALL

F

LASH

P

ATH

S

OFTWARE

................................................................................................................. 12

S

TATUS

M

ONITOR

I

CON

.......................................................................................................................................... 14

S

TATUS

M

ONITOR

M

ESSAGES

................................................................................................................................. 15

S

YSTEM

E

RROR

M

ESSAGES

..................................................................................................................................... 16

CHAPTER 5 TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................................... 17

SAFETY..................................................................................................................................................................... 19

D

EFINITION OF

T

ERMS

............................................................................................................................................ 19

WARNINGS ....................................................................................................................................................... 19

CAUTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 20

5

Quick Start

Installing the Software From the FlashPath software CD:

a. Exit and close all other programs. b. Insert the FlashPath software CD. c. Follow the instructions on your screen to load software into the default directory. Note: You may use a different directory if desired. d. Reboot (restart) your computer.

Installing the Software From the SmartDisk Website

a. Go to the Downloads section of the SmartDisk website

(http://www.smartdisk.com). Under FlashPath for MultiMediaCard Software, select the Windows Software Download Page. b. Click c. Click on the icon for or . d. Download and save drivers into the default directory according to the instructions given on your screen. Note: You may use a different directory if desired.

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Insert the MultiMediaCard into Your FlashPath

Remove the MultiMediaCard from your digital appliance and insert it into your

FlashPath. Note the orientation shown in step 3 below.

Insert FlashPath into Your Floppy Drive and Transfer Files

You can now use your MultiMediaCard just like you would an ordinary floppy disk. For example: Use Windows Explorer and double click on your A (or B) drive to read, write, or delete data on your MultiMediaCard through the FlashPath in your floppy drive.

Note: Some digital appliances make a folder on the MultiMediaCard. You can copy the whole folder or open it and just copy the images you want.

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Chapter 1 Welcome to FlashPath MultiMediaCard

Shaped like a 3.5-inch floppy disk, the FlashPath MultiMediaCard (MMC) can write data to and read data from a MultiMediaCard using your computer's internal floppy disk drive.

FlashPath MMC supports IBM-PC compatible computers with 3.5-inch, 1.44 MB floppy drives.

The FlashPath is not designed to work with an external floppy drive, a USB floppy drive, a FireWire floppy drive, a floppy disk drive connected via a PCMCIA card, or a 120MB high capacity floppy disk drive.

CAUTION: Using the FlashPath in a 120MB high capacity floppy disk drive could damage your drive.

Note: Do not store the MultiMediaCard in the FlashPath. To protect the FlashPath and floppy disk drive, remove the FlashPath from your floppy disk drive and place it in its jewel case as soon as you have finished using it.

Note: Avoid operating and storing the product in an environment subject to excessive temperature fluctuations which may result in condensation forming on the FlashPath.

Note: The on-screen messages shown in this User's Guide were reproduced from

Windows 98. On-screen messages from other Operating Systems may differ slightly.

System Requirements

To use FlashPath, you need the following hardware and software:

•

An IBM-PC or fully compatible personal computer with a hard disk drive (Intel x86 - 486 or Pentium class, single processor)

•

Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT 4.0/2000.

•

3.5-inch floppy disk drive as drive A or drive B (either a 1.44 MB drive or a

Japanese 3 mode drive)

Operating and Storage Conditions

Storage Temperature: 0 to + 65

°

C

Temperature Change: less than 20

°

/hr.

Humidity: 20-80%

Operating

Temperature: 0 to + 55

°

C

8

Temperature Change: less than 20

°

/hr

.

Humidity: 20-80%

Installing Batteries

Your FlashPath comes with batteries already installed. When batteries expire, replace both batteries with new CR2016 lithium button cell batteries. Batteries cannot be re-

charged.

To change batteries

Place your FlashPath on a flat surface and gently press down on the battery cover. a. Turn each cover counter-clockwise until the battery compartment is open. b. Install new lithium button cells. Make sure that the positive side (marked with a

+ sign) is up and that the side spring contact is located on the side of the battery.

The contact must not be trapped beneath the battery.

Changing Batteries

Note: Always replace both batteries at the same time. Use lithium button battery

CR2016.

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Inserting MultiMediaCard into the FlashPath

Insert the MultiMediaCard into the FlashPath with the electronic contacts facing away from the metallic top cover of the FlashPath. Insert the MultiMediaCard only until the

MultiMediaCard seats in the FlashPath.

Caution: Do not use excessive pressure. If you fail to completely insert the

MultiMediaCard, remove the MultiMediaCard, check that contacts and case are clean, and try again.

Note: FlashPath will not operate if the MultiMediaCard is not inserted completely.

Cleaning

Remove the FlashPath from the floppy disk drive; remove the MultiMediaCard from the

FlashPath. Use a clean, dry, lint free cloth or cotton swab to wipe off any oil, dust, or particles in the slot on the front and the back of the FlashPath.

If necessary, clean the remainder of the outside of the FlashPath with a clean, lint free cloth or paper towel and denatured alcohol. Store FlashPath in its Jewel Case.

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Chapter 2 Installing FlashPath MMC Software

Shut down all other applications before installing FlashPath software. FlashPath software may not install correctly if installation is performed while other applications are running.

1. Insert your FlashPath MMC software CD into the CD ROM drive.

2. Follow the directions on the screen to install the FlashPath software.

3. Setup, by default, copies the FlashPath files to the directory: C:\Program

Files\SMARTDISK\FLASHMMC

4. Once the FlashPath software installation is complete, the following screen appears.

Select “Yes, I want to restart my computer now”, then click Finish.

Note: The FlashPath will not work until you reboot your PC.

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Chapter 3 Using the FlashPath MMC

1. Insert the MultiMediaCard into the FlashPath with the electronic contacts facing away from the metallic top cover of the FlashPath.

2. Insert the FlashPath into the floppy drive.

With the FlashPath software installed on your PC, you can now access a MultiMediaCard in the FlashPath. This will enable you to read and write data to the MultiMediaCard just as if it were a floppy disk! You can also delete, move, create, or edit files for word processors, spreadsheet programs, photo editors, etc.

Do not compress files on the MultiMediaCard using a drive space stacker, etc. You can store Zip files on the MultiMediaCard; however, you cannot compress the file system on the MultiMediaCard.

To Erase Old Pictures from a MultiMediaCard

1. First copy any file you want to keep to your hard drive or other media.

2. In Microsoft Windows Explorer, click on the file(s) you want to delete and select

File/Delete from the menu bar (or press the Delete key).

To Uninstall FlashPath Software

1. To uninstall FlashPath software, click on Start - Settings - Control Panel. Use delete

(add/delete) to uninstall FlashPath MMC.

2. The following screen will appear.

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3. Click Yes and follow the directions on the screen to uninstall the FlashPath MMC software.

Note: If you receive the message shown below, always choose Yes To All to remove shared files when deleting FlashPath products.

13

Chapter 4 Status Monitor

The Status Monitor icon is automatically loaded into the System Tray at installation.

Status Monitor

The Status Monitor displays the condition of the FlashPath as of the last time the drive was accessed. The condition icon (diskette mode or FlashPath mode with battery condition) is displayed as an icon and one of several status messages. See below.

Status Monitor Icon

An icon is constantly displayed in the System Tray and shows diskette mode (no

FlashPath installed and/or accessed) or FlashPath mode (and battery condition).

Diskette Mode

Normal Operation

Low Battery

Battery Critical

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Status Monitor Messages

Status Monitor Messages pop-up automatically when you position your cursor over the

Status Monitor icon.

Message Condition Corrective

Diskette Mode No FlashPath with a

MultiMediaCard in Drive

Insert MultiMediaCard into

FlashPath and insert FlashPath into the drive.

--- Normal Operation Computer able to read and write to FlashPath

Battery Low

Battery Critical

Writes - disabled (If you are currently performing a write,

FlashPath will try to complete the write.)

Reads - enabled

Writes - disabled

Note: Flashpath will attempt to complete the current write.

Reads - disabled

Let the computer complete reads or write; replace batteries.

Replace batteries immediately.

Sleeping

Missing

MultiMediaCard

Device has entered sleep mode to conserve batteries

(no reads / no writes)

MultiMediaCard not detected in FlashPath.

Eject, wait awhile, and reinsert

FlashPath.

Eject FlashPath. Check for

MultiMediaCard. Check that

MultiMediaCard is inserted correctly. Reinsert FlashPath.

15

System Error Messages

System Error Messages automatically appear when the condition exists.

Message Condition

Sleeping

The FlashPath has gone to sleep. Eject, wait awhile, and reinsert

FlashPath to activate.

No Media

There is no MultiMediaCard in the

FlashPath.

Eject FlashPath. Check for

MultiMediaCard. Check that

MultiMediaCard is inserted correctly. Reinsert FlashPath.

Low

Battery

Warning

Battery

Critical

The batteries in the FlashPath are very low.

Writes to the MultiMediaCard will be disabled.

Reads - enabled

The battery in the FlashPath has reached a critical stage and will expire very quickly.

Writes - disabled

Note: Flashpath will attempt to complete current write.

Reads - disabled

Let computer complete reads or write; replace the batteries.

Replace the batteries immediately.

The Status Monitor display will be updated each time the FlashPath is accessed.

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Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

1. FlashPath is in sleep mode. What should I do?

Eject the FlashPath from the floppy drive, wait awhile, and then reinsert it.

2. The computer does not recognize the FlashPath. Why?

If you attempt to access the FlashPath while inserting it in the floppy disk drive, the

FlashPath may not be recognized and the message: "The disk in drive A is not formatted" may be displayed accidentally.

In most cases, the computer will recognize the FlashPath if you eject the FlashPath from the floppy drive, wait awhile, and then reinsert it.

The computer may not recognize the FlashPath under the following conditions:

•

FlashPath automatically powers off after 5 minutes of inactivity, to extend

battery life. If this occurs, eject the FlashPath from the floppy drive, wait awhile, and then reinsert it.

•

The batteries are not loaded or are almost completely exhausted. Replace the batteries.

•

The batteries are loaded in the wrong direction. The (+) pole of each battery

should face the battery cover when inserted correctly. Reinsert the batteries.

•

The FlashPath driver has not been installed (or the system was not restarted

after installation). Install the FlashPath driver if it was not installed and reboot your computer.

3. I can't seem to format the MultiMediaCard. What should I do?

You MUST format the MultiMediaCard in your digital appliance. Follow your digital appliance recommendations for formatting the MultiMediaCard. Do not format the

MultiMediaCard using any other format utility.

4. Is it necessary to reformat the MultiMediaCard before reusing it in a device?

No, you can use DOS or Windows "delete" or "erase" functions to remove unwanted

17

files from the MultiMediaCard. Before erasing, copy any files you do want to save to the computer's hard drive or to a floppy disk.

18

Safety

For maximum safety, please observe these precautions.

Definition of Terms

WARNING

Incorrect handling and/or operation could cause serious injury.

CAUTION

Incorrect handling and/or operation could cause damage to equipment or files.

WARNINGS

When handling batteries:

•

Do not disassemble or modify the battery.

•

Keep the batteries out of the reach of small children. If swallowed, poisoning or asphyxiation can result. Seek medical treatment immediately.

•

Do not combine old and new batteries.

•

Do not disassemble, modify, repair or charge the batteries.

•

Do not connect the positive and negative terminals with any metal such as wire.

•

Do not transport or store batteries together with metallic objects.

•

Do not heat batteries or directly expose them to fire.

•

Do not drive nails into, strike with a hammer, or step on the battery. Failure to

observe the above could result in battery leaks, heat emission, ignition, rupturing, skin burns or other injury.

•

Observe the positive and negative polarity indications when inserting the batteries.

Do not allow dead batteries to remain in the battery compartment.

Failure to observe the above could result in battery leaks, heat emission, rupturing, skin burns or other kind of injury.

19

•

If leaking occurs, do not allow battery fluid to come in contact with the skin. Doing so could result in skin burning. If battery fluid gets on your skin or clothes, wash immediately with water. If battery fluid gets in your eyes, flush with water and seek medical treatment immediately.

•

Use only the recommended type of batteries.

Failure to do so could result in battery leaks, heat emission, rupturing, skin burns or other kind of injury.

117-0005-010

CAUTIONS

•

Do not use FlashPath near sources of heat or flame. Doing so could result in smoke

or fire.

•

Do not immerse FlashPath in liquids such as water, chemicals or oil. Doing so could

result in short circuiting, electric shock or fire.

•

If bent, dropped or exposed to strong impact, the product should be inspected at the place of purchase or by SmartDisk. Failure to do so could result in smoke or fire.

•

Do not attempt to repair, modify or disassemble FlashPath. Doing so could result in

fire, electric shock or injury.

•

Do not make direct contact with or touch the pins (connecting surface) of the

MultiMediaCard with metal. Data could be damaged or erased by static

electricity.

•

Do not turn the power off while downloading data from MultiMediaCard. Doing so

could damage or erase the internal data on the MultiMediaCard.

•

Do not unplug or expose to vibration or impact while uploading data to or downloading data from MultiMediaCard. Doing so could damage or erase the

internal data on the MultiMediaCard.

•

Be sure to save data to another medium at regular intervals in case the data stored in

MultiMediaCard is damaged or lost. We are not liable, however, for data saved to

any medium.

•

Make sure the MultiMediaCard contains no essential data or files before formatting.

Failure to do so will result in loss of data.

•

Do not turn off the power or touch the floppy disk drive push button while the floppy

20

disk drive is operating. Doing so could damage or erase data in the

MultiMediaCard.

•

When MultiMediaCard is formatted using your digital appliance format utility, all the data saved in the MultiMediaCard is erased.

•

If a strange odor, sound or smoke is emitted from the FlashPath during use, immediately turn off the power and unplug the PC power cord from the electric outlet. Failure to do so could result in fire or equipment damage. For repair,

contact the place of purchase or contact our support team.

117-0006-010

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