MAIWO Dual Bay 3.5 Inch HDD/SSD Case User Manual

1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the MAIWO K35272U3S Dual Bay 3.5 Inch HDD/SSD Case. This manual provides detailed instructions for installation, operation, and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your device. Please read this manual carefully before use.

MAIWO is a registered trademark of Shenzhen Kaixiangyuan Technology Co., Ltd.

Important Data Disclaimer:

Shenzhen Kaixiangyuan Technology Co., Ltd. is responsible for warranty and repair of the product itself. The company is not liable for any data modification or loss caused by user operations, nor for any indirect losses resulting therefrom. Given the inestimable value of data, please back up all important data before operating this product.

2. Product Overview

The MAIWO K35272U3S is a dual-bay external enclosure designed for 3.5-inch SATA HDDs and SSDs, offering high-speed data transfer and multiple RAID modes for flexible storage solutions. It features a robust aluminum alloy body and an efficient cooling system.

Figure 2.1: MAIWO K35272U3S Dual Bay HDD Case highlighting key features.

2.1. Package Contents

• MAIWO K35272U3S Dual Bay HDD/SSD Case
• USB 3.0 Type-A to Type-A Data Cable
• 12V 4A Power Adapter
• Screws and Screwdriver
• User Manual (this document)
• Mounting bracket (if using 2.5'' HDD/SSD, may require additional purchase)

2.2. Device Layout

Figure 2.2: Rear Panel Layout

• HDD1 Indicator: LED for Hard Drive 1 status.
• HDD2 Indicator: LED for Hard Drive 2 status.
• RAID LED Adapter: Indicates current RAID mode.
• Reset Button: Used for RAID mode configuration.
• Wind Control Button: Fan speed control.
• Power Switch: ON/OFF for the device.
• USB 3.0 Interface: For connecting to your computer.
• RAID Transfer Button (RAID Setting Switches): DIP switches for selecting RAID mode.
• Power Supply Interface: DC 12V input.

3. Specifications

4. Setup and Installation

4.1. Hard Drive Installation

Follow these steps to install your 3.5-inch SATA HDDs or SSDs into the enclosure:

1. Gently slide out the plastic inner frame from the enclosure.
2. Insert the first 3.5-inch hard drive into the HDD1 slot at a 45-degree angle, ensuring it connects properly to the SATA interface.
3. Secure the installed hard drive to the inner frame using the provided screws.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the second hard drive in the HDD2 slot.
5. Slide the inner frame with the installed hard drives back into the enclosure.
6. Secure the inner frame to the enclosure using the remaining screws.
7. Place the enclosure onto its bracket for stable positioning.

Figure 4.1: Hard Drive Installation Steps

Note:

• If using 2.5-inch HDDs/SSDs, an additional 2.5 to 3.5-inch mounting bracket is required (not included).
• Ensure hard drives are securely fastened to prevent movement and potential damage.

4.2. Connecting to Your Computer

1. Connect the 12V 4A power adapter to the Power Supply Interface (DC IN) on the rear panel of the enclosure and plug it into a power outlet.
2. Connect the USB 3.0 data cable to the USB 3.0 Interface on the enclosure and to an available USB 3.0 port on your computer.
3. Flip the Power Switch to the 'ON' position.
4. The HDD indicator LEDs will light up. If this is the first time connecting or if you've installed new drives, your operating system may automatically install necessary drivers.

Figure 4.2: Connecting the enclosure to a computer.

5. Disk Management

Important: New hard drives must be initialized and formatted before use.

5.1. Initializing New Hard Drives (Windows)

1. Right-click on "This PC" (or "My Computer") and select "Manage".
2. In the Computer Management window, navigate to "Disk Management" under "Storage".
3. You should see your newly installed hard drive(s) listed as "Disk 1" (or similar) and marked as "Unallocated" or "Not Initialized".
4. Right-click on the disk number (e.g., "Disk 1") and select "Initialize Disk".
5. Choose a partition style:
   • MBR (Master Boot Record): For hard drives 2TB or smaller.
   • GPT (GUID Partition Table): For hard drives larger than 2TB.

   Select the appropriate option and click "OK".

Figure 5.1: Disk Management in Windows.

5.2. Creating Partitions and Formatting (Windows)

1. After initialization, the disk will still show as "Unallocated". Right-click on the "Unallocated" space.
2. Select "New Simple Volume..." and follow the on-screen wizard.
3. Specify the volume size (you can use the maximum available space for a single partition or create multiple smaller partitions).
4. Assign a drive letter.
5. Choose a file system (NTFS is recommended for Windows), allocation unit size, and enter a volume label. Ensure "Perform a quick format" is checked.
6. Click "Next" and then "Finish" to complete the process.
7. Your new drive(s) will now appear in "This PC" and be ready for use.

Figure 5.2: Enclosure connected to a smart TV for media access.

6. RAID Mode Configuration

WARNING: Changing RAID modes will erase all data on the hard drives. Always back up important data before configuring RAID modes.

The MAIWO K35272U3S supports four RAID modes, configured using the DIP switches and the Reset button on the rear panel.

Figure 6.1: RAID Mode Setting Table

6.1. Steps to Configure RAID Mode

1. Power Off: Ensure the enclosure is powered off and disconnected from the computer.
2. Set DIP Switches: Use a small tool (like a pen tip) to set the RAID Setting Switches (Switch 1 and Switch 2) according to the desired RAID mode as shown in the table above.
3. Connect Power: Connect the power adapter to the enclosure.
4. Press and Hold Reset: While holding the "RESET" button, turn the Power Switch to the 'ON' position.
5. Release Reset: Continue holding the "RESET" button for 5-10 seconds until the corresponding RAID LED indicator (RAID0, RAID1, LARGE, or Normal) illuminates. Then release the button.
6. Connect to Computer: Connect the USB 3.0 data cable to your computer. The system will detect the new RAID configuration.
7. Initialize and Format: For new RAID configurations, you will need to initialize and format the new volume(s) via Disk Management (refer to Section 5).

Note: If replacing a damaged HDD/SSD in a RAID configuration, ensure the replacement drive is new or has been completely formatted and not previously part of a RAID array.

7. Operation

7.1. Data Transfer

The enclosure supports USB 3.0 with a theoretical transfer rate of up to 5Gbps. With UASP support (on Windows 8.1 and above), data transfer speeds can be significantly enhanced, allowing 1GB of data to be transferred in approximately 3 seconds.

Figure 7.1: High-Speed Data Transmission.

7.2. Automatic Sleep Function

To conserve power and extend the lifespan of your hard drives, the enclosure features an automatic sleep design. If there is no data activity for 3 minutes, the device will automatically enter sleep mode. It will wake up automatically upon data access.

Figure 7.2: Automatic Sleep Design.

7.3. Cooling Fan Control

The built-in cooling fan helps maintain optimal operating temperatures for your hard drives. Use the "Wind Control Button" on the rear panel to adjust the fan speed as needed. This helps prevent overheating, especially during prolonged use or heavy data transfers.

Figure 7.3: Powerful Cooling Fan.

8. Maintenance

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the enclosure. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosols.
• Ventilation: Ensure the cooling fan and ventilation holes are not obstructed to allow for proper airflow.
• Firmware Updates: Check the official MAIWO website periodically for any available firmware updates for your model.
• Data Backup: Regularly back up critical data stored on the drives, especially if using RAID 0 or Normal modes, as these do not provide data redundancy.

9. Troubleshooting

10. User Tips

• For optimal performance, always connect the enclosure to a USB 3.0 port on your computer.
• If you plan to use the enclosure for media storage and playback on a smart TV, ensure the TV's USB port can provide sufficient power or use the enclosure's dedicated power adapter.
• Consider using RAID 1 for important data that requires redundancy, or RAID 0 for maximum speed where data loss is acceptable.
• Regularly check the status indicator LEDs (HDD1, HDD2, RAID) to monitor the health and operational mode of your drives.

11. Warranty and Support

This product is covered by a warranty policy that includes:

• 7-day return policy for quality issues.
• 15-day exchange policy for quality issues.
• 1-year warranty from the date of receipt.

Warranty Exclusions:

• Power cables, USB cables, and other accessories are not covered under warranty. Replacements may be available for purchase.
• Damage caused by natural disasters is not covered, but paid repair services may be offered.
• Product failures resulting from improper use by the consumer may be eligible for paid repair services.

For technical support or warranty claims, please contact:

Customer Service Hotline: 4000-666-205

You may also extend your warranty by following the official MAIWO WeChat public account.

Manufacturer Address:
Shenzhen Kaixiangyuan Technology Co., Ltd. Maiwo After-sales
5th Floor, Building 3, Huidibao Industrial Zone, Guangming New District, Shenzhen, China

A PDF version of this user manual is available for download from the product page or by contacting customer support.

12. Product Video