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LaCie 6big & 12big Thunderbolt 3 User Manual
LaCie 6big & 12big Thunderbolt 3 

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Connect your LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big Thunderbolt 3

The LaCie 6big Thunderbolt 3 and LaCie 12big Thunderbolt 3 are shipped with the following installation components:

  • LaCie 6big Thunderbolt 3 / LaCie 12big Thunderbolt 3
  • Power cable
  • Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable (Thunderbolt logo)
  • USB 3.1 (USB-C) cable
  • USB 3.1 (USB-C) to USB 3.0/USB 2.0 adapter cable (compatible with Type A ports)

The instructions below are also available on the Quick Install Guide included with the LaCie 6big/LaCie12big.

Windows and Thunderbolt 3

Your LaCie Thunderbolt 3 storage device is certified for use with Windows PCs that have a Thunderbolt 3 port. However, you may experience connectivity issues between the storage device and the Thunderbolt 3 port on a Windows PC. Therefore, before setting up your LaCie Thunderbolt 3 storage device, please visit your PC manufacturer’s website to update your Windows PC to the latest versions of:

  • BIOS
  • Thunderbolt 3 firmware
  • Thunderbolt 3 driver 

Also, make certain that your PC has the most recent version of Windows 10. 

For questions regarding your PC, please contact the PC manufacturer. You can also review the following website for additional information: https://thunderbolttechnology.net/updates 

This issue pertains to the Thunderbolt 3 port and does not affect USB ports.

Step 1 - Download and install LaCie RAID Manager

LaCie RAID Manager is the application that manages the LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big storage. Before connecting the enclosure to your computer, download the installer for LaCie RAID Manager. The installer loads the application and the driver to recognize the Thunderbolt storage.

  1. Download the installer at LaCie RAID Manager.
  2. Launch the installer on the computer that will connect to the LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2 – Connect LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big to your computer

Thunderbolt 3 connection

Connect the included Thunderbolt 3 cable to:

  1. LaCie 6big/12big
  2. PC or Mac
  Note on a Thunderbolt daisy chain: You can also connect a second Thunderbolt 3 cable to daisy chain compatible devices to LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big. A Thunderbolt daisy chain supports up to seven devices, including the computer. See Daisy Chain for further information.

USB 3.1 Gen 2 connection

  Note on USB connections: Your computer can only recognize one RAID array when using a USB connection. Use Thunderbolt 3 if you intend to create more than one RAID array.

PC or Mac with a USB-C port

Connect the included USB-C cable to:

  1. LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big. Make certain to use the correct port with the text USB 3.1.
  2. PC or Mac. Connect to a USB-C port with the USB 3.1 Gen 1 or USB 3.1 Gen 2 icon.
  Note on USB-C connections: Your computer must support USB 3.1 Gen 2 for transfer rates up to 10Gb/s. Connecting the LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big to a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port gives you speeds up to 5Gb/s.

PC or Mac with a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port (Type A)

Connect the included USB 3.1 (USB-C) to USB 3.0/USB 2.0 adapter cable (compatible with Type-A ports) to:

  1. LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big (USB-C end)
  2. PC or Mac (USB Type-A end)
  Note on USB-C connections: Your computer must support SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for transfer rates up to 5Gb/s. Connecting the LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big to a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port gives you transfer rates up to 480Mb/s.

Step 3 - Power connection

Only use the power cable provided with your device. Attaching third-party or other LaCie power cables can damage your LaCie 6big Thunderbolt 3 or LaCie 12big Thunderbolt 3.

Connect the included power cable in the order listed below.

  1. The LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big power input.
  2. A live power outlet.

Step 4 - Power switch

Flip the switch on the back of the device to the “On” position.

  Note: The LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big must be connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 and is powered on. The LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big will not power on if the computer is off.

Format LaCie 6big/12big storage

Your LaCie 6big/LaCie 12big is shipped as unformatted. When first connecting the device to a computer, you are prompted to format the default RAID 5 array. Before formatting the array, review the chapter on RAID to learn which RAID level is best for your working environment. If you want to change the RAID level or create multiple arrays, see the instructions in the LaCie RAID Manager user manual.

To format the array, follow your operating system’s prompts and use one of the formats listed below.

  • Mac: Mac OS Extended (Journaled), also known as HFS+
  • Windows: NTFS

For more information about hard drive formats and instructions for each operating system, see Formatting and Partitioning.

LaCie 6big & 12big Thunderbolt 3 User Manual

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