Setting up the LaCie Rugged RAID is easy thanks to LaCie Setup Assistant. Follow the steps in the order they are given to ensure that your LaCie Rugged RAID’s volume mounts correctly on your computer.

Mac: The LaCie Rugged RAID can be connected to your Mac using the integrated Thunderbolt cable or the included USB 3.0 cable. However, it is not possible to use both interfaces at the same time.

Windows: For the initial setup, you must use the USB 3.0 cable. If your PC has a Thunderbolt port, make certain to install the Thunderbolt driver when prompted by LaCie Setup Assistant. Once the driver is installed, you can connect the Rugged RAID to your PC via Thunderbolt.

1. Remove the cover by placing your index finger on its left edge and gently prying it open. Use caution since the Thunderbolt cable is held by a fastener on the removable cover.
   
   
2. Gently remove the Thunderbolt connector from the cover.
3. Unwind the integrated Thunderbolt cable as needed and connect it to your computer.
   
   
4. The drive mounts on your desktop (Mac).
5. Replace the cover on the LaCie Rugged. Doing so maintains the LaCie Rugged’s IP 54 rating.

If the Rugged RAID’s Setup volume does not mount on your computer, see troubleshooting topics at Getting Help.

1. Remove the cover by placing your index finger on its left edge and gently prying it open. Use caution since the Thunderbolt cable is held by a fastener on the removable cover.
   
   
2. Connect the included power cable in the following order:
   
   
   1. The Rugged RAID.
   2. An active outlet.
3. Use the included USB 3.0 cable to connect the Rugged RAID in the following order:
   
   
   1. A USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port on your computer.
   2. The USB port on the Rugged RAID.
4. The drive mounts in Computer (Windows 7 or later) or on your desktop (Mac).

If the Rugged RAID’s Setup volume does not mount on your computer, see troubleshooting topics at Getting Help.

LaCie Setup Assistant (LSA) must be launched before using your drive. It will allow you to:

• Easily format the hard drive according to your needs
• Copy the User Manual to your computer
• Install software for added features
• Register your LaCie device

AutoPlay: Windows AutoPlay may detect your LaCie device as soon as it is connected to your computer. If the AutoPlay window appears, choose Open folder to view files using Windows Explorer and double-click LaCie Setup.

Manual access: Open the LACIE SETUP volume in Computer/This PC and double-click LaCie Setup.

Open the LACIE SETUP volume on your desktop and then double-click LaCie Setup

The LaCie Setup Assistant guides you through formatting and registering your hard drive as well as installing LaCie software utilities. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the setup.

Alternatively, you can use your disk management utility program to format or partition your LaCie drive. See Optional Formatting and Partitioning for details.

Important info for Windows users: While running LaCie Setup Assistant, you may see a User Account Control dialogue asking if you wish to change your computer's settings. This is a normal request when formatting a disk or installing certain software, such as Genie Timeline. To successfully complete LaCie Setup Assistant, LaCie recommends that you agree to change the settings.

Software will be installed on the product's storage, not on your computer. It will be located on the volume entitled “Compatible” or “LaCie Share” if it exists, otherwise on “LaCie”.

LaCie software utilities may be installed at any time. Once the format is complete, the LaCie Setup Assistant application will be available on:

• LaCie: If you created one partition
• Compatible/LaCie Share: If you created two partitions

If you formatted your drive using a disk utility and you need access to software utilities or the user manual, visit www.lacie.com/support/.

In order to avoid file system corruption, it is important to unmount your LaCie device’s volume before turning it off or disconnecting the interface cable. See Unmounting Your Hard Drive for details.