TEAMGROUP C175 ECO USB Flash Drive User Manual

1. Introduction

The TEAMGROUP C175 ECO USB Flash Drive is a portable data storage device designed for convenient transfer and storage of digital files. This model emphasizes environmental responsibility by utilizing recycled materials in its construction. It features USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity, offering efficient data transfer speeds. This manual provides essential information for the proper setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your C175 ECO USB Flash Drive.

Figure 1.1: Two TEAMGROUP C175 ECO USB Flash Drives. These drives are mint green with subtle speckles, indicating their eco-friendly recycled material composition. Each drive has the TEAMGROUP logo and "128GB C175 3.2 ECO" printed on its surface.

2. Setup

The TEAMGROUP C175 ECO USB Flash Drive is designed for plug-and-play functionality, requiring no special driver installation for most operating systems.

2.1 System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, macOS 10.x or later, Linux 2.4.x or later.
• Available USB Port: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0/3.1) port for optimal performance, compatible with USB 2.0 ports at lower speeds.

2.2 Connecting the Flash Drive

1. Remove the protective cap from the USB flash drive.
2. Locate an available USB Type-A port on your computer or device.
3. Insert the USB connector of the flash drive firmly into the USB port. Ensure it is inserted correctly to avoid damage.

Figure 2.1: The TEAMGROUP C175 ECO USB Flash Drive with its cap removed, revealing the standard USB Type-A connector. The drive's mint green body with speckles and the TEAMGROUP branding are visible.

Your operating system should automatically detect the drive and assign it a drive letter. You can then access it through "This PC" (Windows) or "Finder" (macOS).

3. Operation

3.1 Transferring Files

To transfer files to or from the C175 ECO USB Flash Drive, use standard file management methods:

• Drag and Drop: Open the folder containing the files you wish to transfer and the flash drive's window. Drag the files from one window to the other.
• Copy and Paste: Right-click on the files you wish to transfer and select "Copy." Navigate to the destination (flash drive or computer folder), right-click in an empty area, and select "Paste."

The drive supports read speeds of up to 100MB/s. Actual transfer speeds may vary depending on file size, system configuration, and the USB port used.

3.2 Safely Removing the Flash Drive

It is crucial to safely remove the flash drive to prevent data corruption or loss.

• Windows: Click the "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar). Select the TEAMGROUP C175 ECO drive and wait for the "Safe to Remove Hardware" message before unplugging.
• macOS: Drag the flash drive icon from your desktop to the Trash icon, or right-click the drive icon and select "Eject." Wait for the icon to disappear before unplugging.
• Linux: Right-click the drive icon on your desktop or in your file manager and select "Eject" or "Unmount."

4. Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance will extend the lifespan of your TEAMGROUP C175 ECO USB Flash Drive.

• Physical Protection: Always replace the protective cap when the drive is not in use to prevent dust and debris from entering the USB connector. Avoid dropping the drive or subjecting it to excessive force.
• Environmental Conditions: Store the drive in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and high humidity.
• Safe Removal: Always follow the safe removal procedures outlined in Section 3.2 to prevent data corruption.
• Cleaning: If necessary, gently wipe the exterior of the drive with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or solvents.
• Data Backup: Regularly back up important data stored on the flash drive to another storage medium (e.g., computer hard drive, cloud storage) to prevent data loss in case of unforeseen issues.

Figure 4.1: A single TEAMGROUP C175 ECO USB Flash Drive with its protective cap securely in place. The drive's mint green body and speckled texture are visible.

5. Troubleshooting

This section addresses common issues you might encounter with your C175 ECO USB Flash Drive.

5.1 The USB disk is correctly detected by the PC, but it is not displayed in My Computer/Finder.

This issue often occurs if the USB disk and another drive (e.g., a network drive) are assigned the same drive letter. To resolve this:

• Windows:
  1. Right-click on "This PC" (or "My Computer") and select "Manage."
  2. In the Computer Management window, select "Disk Management" under "Storage."
  3. Locate your USB disk (it might appear as "Removable Disk" or similar). Right-click on it and select "Change Drive Letter and Paths..."
  4. Click "Change..." and choose an available drive letter that is not in use. Click "OK" to apply the change.
• macOS: If the drive is detected but not appearing, try restarting your Mac or checking Disk Utility to see if it's listed there and can be mounted.

5.2 Why is the capacity of USB drives displayed on the computer always lower than the actual capacity?

This is a common phenomenon due to the difference in how hardware manufacturers and software providers (like operating systems) calculate storage capacity. Hardware manufacturers define 1 Kilobyte (KB) as 1000 bytes, while software systems define 1 KB as 1024 bytes (binary calculation). Additionally, a small percentage (typically 3-5%) of the drive's capacity is reserved by the manufacturer for firmware, application software, and data storage maintenance. This results in the displayed capacity being slightly lower than the advertised capacity.

5.3 Drive is not recognized or frequently disconnects.

• Try a Different USB Port: The issue might be with the USB port on your computer. Try plugging the drive into another port.
• Try a Different Computer: Test the drive on another computer to determine if the issue is with the drive or your primary computer.
• Check Device Manager (Windows):
  1. Right-click on "This PC" and select "Manage."
  2. Select "Device Manager."
  3. Look under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" or "Disk drives" for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark. If found, right-click and select "Update driver" or "Uninstall device" and then restart your computer.
• Overheating: While designed for efficiency, prolonged heavy use can generate heat. If the drive feels excessively hot and disconnects, allow it to cool down before reattempting use. Ensure proper ventilation around your computer's USB ports.
• Reformat the Drive: If the drive is recognized but inaccessible or corrupt, reformatting it might resolve the issue. Warning: Reformatting will erase all data on the drive. Back up any important files before proceeding.
  • Windows: In "Disk Management" (as described in 5.1), right-click the drive and select "Format." Choose a file system (e.g., NTFS for Windows, exFAT for cross-platform compatibility).
  • macOS: Open "Disk Utility," select the drive, and click "Erase." Choose a format (e.g., APFS, Mac OS Extended, or exFAT).

6. Specifications

7. Warranty & Support

7.1 Warranty Information

TEAMGROUP provides a Lifetime Warranty for its memory module products, which includes the C175 ECO USB Flash Drive. This warranty covers manufacturing defects and ensures service, repair, and replacement services. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims.

7.2 Technical Support

For technical assistance, product inquiries, or warranty claims, please visit the official TEAMGROUP website. Free technical support and customer service are available to assist you with any issues or questions regarding your C175 ECO USB Flash Drive.

Official TEAMGROUP Website: www.teamgroupinc.com