ORICO 2.5/3.5 Inch HDD Docking Station User Manual

1. Introduction

The ORICO Hard Drive Dock is designed for user-friendly operation, eliminating cumbersome installation processes. It offers plug-and-play functionality for fast and convenient data management. This product can be flexibly connected to a computer via USB3.0 or Type-C interface, supporting 2.5/3.5 inch SATA HDDs/SSDs. It includes a power adapter and supports an offline clone function, making it an excellent choice for data storage and backup.

Note: The product, accessories, and packaging may be optimized for better application or performance. They may not exactly match what is shown in this manual. Please adhere to the original products and contact the customer care team if you have any further concerns.

2. Package Contents

Please check the box for the following items:

• 1 × The Product (HDD Docking Station)
• 1 × Data Cable (USB C-to-C/A Data Cable (1m) or USB-B to A Data Cable)
• 1 × Power Adapter (12V=2A for DD18 Series / 12V=3A for DD28 Series)
• 1 × User Manual
• 1 × Certificate

3. Product Features

• Compatible with 2.5/3.5 inch SATA hard drives (HDD/SSD).
• Tool-free installation for easy setup.
• Supports up to 40TB (DD28 series) / 36TB (DD18 series) maximum capacity (Single Bay 18TB Max).
• 10 minutes auto-sleep mode for power saving and extended drive life.
• Supports Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iPad OS, and Android systems.
• External USB3.0/Type-C output interface with up to 5Gbps transmission rate.
• Supports SATA3.0 UASP protocol for enhanced data transfer speed (up to 420MB/s).
• Offline Clone Function: Easily copy data between two disks without a computer.
• Dual-bay design for simultaneous data access and backup.
• High-quality ABS material for strong heat dissipation.

4. Product Overview

Familiarize yourself with the components of your ORICO HDD Docking Station:

4.1. DD18U3 Model

• LED: Power/Activity Indicator
• Switch Board: For inserting hard drives
• USB Interface: For connecting to a host device
• Power Interface: For connecting the power adapter
• ON/OFF Button: To power the device on or off

4.2. DD28U3 Model

• LED 1/LED 2: Power/Activity Indicators for each bay
• Switch Board: For inserting hard drives
• USB Interface: For connecting to a host device
• Power Interface: For connecting the power adapter
• ON/OFF Button: To power the device on or off

4.3. DD28U3-C / DD28C3-C Models (with Clone Function)

• Progress Indicator: Shows cloning progress
• LED 1/LED 2: Power/Activity Indicators for each bay
• HDD 1 (Source): Slot for the source hard drive during cloning
• HDD 2 (Target): Slot for the target hard drive during cloning
• USB Interface: For connecting to a host device
• Power Interface: For connecting the power adapter
• ON/OFF Button: To power the device on or off
• CLONE/PC Switch: To select between PC mode and Clone mode
• START Button: To initiate the offline clone process

5. Setup Instructions

5.1. Hard Drive Installation

1. Ensure the docking station is powered off and disconnected from any computer.
2. Gently insert your 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD into the appropriate bay(s) of the docking station. Ensure the drive is firmly seated.

5.2. Connecting to a Computer (PC Mode)

1. Connect the power adapter to the docking station's power interface and plug it into a power outlet.
2. For models with a CLONE/PC switch (DD28U3-C/DD28C3-C), slide the switch to the "PC" position.
3. Connect the data cable (USB3.0 or Type-C) from the docking station to an available USB port on your computer.
4. Turn on the docking station using the ON/OFF button. The blue indicator light should turn on, indicating successful connection.
5. Your computer should automatically detect the hard drive(s). If the hard drive is new, it may need to be initialized and formatted before use. Refer to your operating system's disk management tools for this process.

6. Operating Instructions

6.1. Data Transfer (PC Mode)

Once connected to your computer and recognized, you can use the hard drive(s) as external storage. Drag and drop files, or use backup software to transfer data to and from the drives. The USB3.0/Type-C interface and UASP protocol ensure high-speed data transfer.

6.2. Offline Clone Function (DD28U3-C / DD28C3-C only)

The offline clone function allows you to copy data from one hard drive (Source) to another (Target) without needing a computer. This is ideal for creating backups or upgrading drives.

Offline Clone Steps:

1. Prepare Drives: Ensure the docking station is disconnected from the computer. Turn off the power. Insert the source disk (Disk A) into the "Source" slot (HDD 1) and the target disk (Disk B) into the "Target" slot (HDD 2).
2. Connect Power: Connect the power adapter to the docking station and plug it into a power outlet.
3. Select Clone Mode: Slide the CLONE/PC switch at the back of the docking station to the "CLONE" position.
4. Power On: Turn on the docking station using the ON/OFF button.
5. Start Clone: Press and hold the "START" button at the back for approximately 5 seconds. You will hear a long beep sound, and the indicator lights will begin to flash, signifying that the cloning process has started.
6. Completion: Once the cloning is complete, you will hear three long beep sounds, and the indicator lights will remain constantly on. Turn off the power and safely remove the disks.

Offline Clone Notes:

• The capacity of the target disk must be equal to or larger than the source disk.
• The offline clone process will erase all data from the target disk. Please back up any important data from the target disk before starting the clone to prevent data loss.
• Ensure the disks are placed correctly in the Source and Target bays.
• No USB cable connection to a computer is needed for offline cloning.
• Do not turn off the power or move the disks during the cloning process.
• The offline clone speed is approximately 500GB/2 hours. The actual speed may vary depending on the hard drive's condition and capacity.
• After cloning, the target disk may need to be activated by connecting it to a computer. Steps: PC Management – Disk Management – Online.

7. Removing Devices Safely

To prevent data corruption or damage to your hard drives, always follow these instructions for safe removal:

7.1. For Microsoft Windows Users:

1. Stop using the devices (close any open files or applications accessing the drives).
2. Click the "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" icon in the taskbar.
3. Select "Eject the USB device" corresponding to your ORICO docking station.
4. Wait for the system to suggest "Safe To Remove hardware" before disconnecting the device.

7.2. For Mac OS Users:

1. Stop any reading/writing operations to the devices.
2. Drag the hard drive icon(s) from your desktop to the Trash.
3. Wait for the system to confirm safe removal before disconnecting.

8. Troubleshooting

If you encounter problems, try the following measures:

• No Detection / Connectivity Issues:
  • Ensure the data cable is appropriately connected. If using a front USB port on your chassis, try a port on the back of your computer.
  • Make sure the power adapter is appropriately connected and the docking station is powered on.
  • Check if the power LED indicator is lit when connectivity is established.
  • Try connecting to another USB port on your computer.
  • Try using a different USB3.0 cable, or even a USB2.0 cable (from a printer, for example) to rule out cable issues.
  • Try another 12V power adapter if available.
• Hard Drive Not Accessible:
  • Make sure your hard drive(s) have been formatted. If not, format them according to your operating system's guidance (e.g., Disk Management in Windows).
• Offline Clone Issues:
  • Verify that the target disk's capacity is equal to or larger than the source disk.
  • Ensure no USB cable is connected to a computer during the offline clone.
  • Do not interrupt the power or move the disks during cloning.

If your problem persists, please contact our customer service department for further help. We recommend providing detailed information about your hard drive and system version, ideally with screenshots.

9. Specifications

10. User Tips & FAQ

• Hard Drive Compatibility: This dock supports 2.5/3.5-inch SATA SSDs or HDDs. It is not compatible with IDE hard drives.
• Device Compatibility: The docking station can be used with a wide range of devices including laptops, PCs, Smart TVs, PS4/PS5 consoles, mobile phones (with OTG support), iPads, routers, projectors, and DVD/TV boxes.
• Offline Clone Speed: The offline clone process typically achieves speeds of around 500GB per 2 hours. Actual speeds may vary based on the hard drive's condition and capacity.
• Docking Station vs. SSD Enclosure: While both serve for data storage, the docking station offers a more user-friendly experience with better heat dissipation, making it suitable for desktop use and frequent drive swapping. SSD enclosures are generally more portable.
• Mobile Phone Connection: For mobile phones, ensure they support the OTG function. DD18U3 models may require an OTG adapter, while DD18C3/DD28C3 models can connect directly with a Type-C to C data cable.

11. Safety Notices

• Do not hit, throw, or puncture the product. Avoid dropping, squeezing, or bending it.
• Do not use or store this product in a humid environment. Avoid wetting or rinsing it with liquids.
• Do not use the product in a hot, high-dust environment and keep it away from fire.
• Do not expose this product to direct sunlight.
• Do not place this product in a corrosive environment. Do not use chemical solutions to clean it.
• Do not place the product or accessories near appliances with strong electromagnetic fields or magnetic equipment.
• Keep the product and accessories away from children. Do not allow children to use the product without supervision.
• If a power adapter is required, use only the power adapter specified by ORICO.
• Do not disassemble or repair the product or accessories without authorization from ORICO.
• The hard disk is a precision device. Please read the instruction manual in advance and operate it correctly.
• New hard disks must be initialized before normal use.

12. Declaration & FCC Compliance

12.1. Declaration

Shenzhen ORICO Technologies Co., Ltd. reserves all rights. Thank you for purchasing an ORICO product. Please refer to this manual when using this product or addressing any issues. Contact the ORICO customer care team for any concerns.

ORICO® is a registered trademark of Shenzhen ORICO Technologies Co., Ltd. Any other product, trademark, service, or company mentioned herein is a trademark or registered trademark of their respective owners. This manual is for reference only and is not a guarantee. Shenzhen ORICO Technologies Co., Ltd. reserves all rights of maintenance to this manual and shall not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from this manual. Shenzhen ORICO Technologies Co., Ltd. shall not be liable for compensation and maintenance under the following conditions:

• Any special, incidental, indirect, and secondary loss or damage.
• Profit and revenue loss or damage.
• Files, data, drive, and device loss or damage.

Note: Compensation for lost or damaged data resulting from this manual or product shall not exceed the payment of your purchase for this product.

12.2. FCC Compliance

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

13. Video Resources

14. Additional Documentation

A detailed user manual in PDF format is available for download. This document contains comprehensive instructions and diagrams for your ORICO HDD Docking Station.

You can access the PDF manual here: ORICO HDD Docking Station User Manual (PDF)