The ORICO 5/4 Bay DAS (Direct Attached Storage) HDD/SSD Enclosure is a high-speed external storage solution designed for expanding data capacity and managing media resources efficiently. It supports both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA hard drives and SSDs, offering up to 110TB of total storage (for 5-bay model) with 10Gbps transmission speeds via USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your ORICO DAS enclosure.
Video: ORICO 9958C3 Product Overview and Unboxing.
2. Package Contents
Please check the package contents upon unboxing. If any items are missing or damaged, contact customer support.
Image: Packaging List for the ORICO MacData Vault 5Big DAS Studio.
ORICO MacData Vault DAS Enclosure (4-Bay or 5-Bay model)
Power Cable (EU / US / UK / AU / KR Plug version, depending on selection)
Data Cable (2-in-1 Type-C to Type-A/Type-C, 1M)
Screwdriver
Screw Pack
User Manual
DAS Studio Software (if applicable)
3. Specifications
Image: Detailed specifications for 4-Bay (9948C3) and 5-Bay (9958C3) models.
Feature
Model 9948C3 (4-Bay)
Model 9958C3 (5-Bay)
Size
264.7*135.6*196.6mm
268*135.6*163mm
Material
Aluminum alloy + ABS
Color
Silver
Transmission Speed
10Gbps
Output
USB-C
Cable
2-in-1 C TO A/C (1M)
Power Supply
Built-in 150W
Number of Bays
4Bay
5Bay
Maximum Capacity
88TB (Single bay 22TB)
110TB (Single bay 22TB)
Support Systems
Windows, Linux, Mac OS
Key Features:
High-Speed Transmission: USB3.2 GEN2 (Type-C) protocol with up to 10Gbps transfer speed.
Daisy Chain Expansion: Expand storage up to 330TB by daisy-chaining up to 3 devices for modular data management.
Powerful PSU: Built-in 150W power supply ensures smooth data transfer during multi-disk reading.
Efficient Cooling: Aluminum alloy metal shell with an 80mm cooling fan and front/rear heat dissipation airflow design.
Superior Chip Control: Excellent chip master control for fast reading and writing, with integrated intelligent module protection.
Large Storage Capacity: Supports single HDDs up to 22TB, with total capacities of 88TB (4-bay) or 110TB (5-bay).
Wide Compatibility: Supports 2.5-inch SATA SSD/HDD and 3.5-inch SATA HDD. Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
Single Disk Replacement: Equipped with independent disk slots and supports eject function for quick replacement without interrupting other slots.
Smart Sleep Mode: Enclosure enters sleep mode after 10 minutes of data inactivity (adjustable via firmware/software).
Mac-style Design: Aesthetic design to complement Apple devices.
4. Setup Guide
4.1. Hard Drive Installation
Follow these steps to install your 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA hard drives/SSDs into the enclosure:
Open the Tray: Press the door button from the left side of the enclosure to open and release the hard drive tray.
Image: Opening a hard drive bay.
Mount the Hard Drive: Pull out the hard drive bracket. Align the hard drive (2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD) with the fixing holes on the bracket and tighten the screws provided in the screw pack.
Image: Mounting a hard drive onto the bracket.
Insert the Tray: Install the bracket with the mounted hard drive back into the hard disk cabinet. Close the door until it clicks into place.
Image: Inserting the hard drive tray and closing the bay.
Repeat these steps for all hard drives you wish to install.
4.2. Connecting to Your Computer
The ORICO DAS enclosure supports various devices and operating systems.
Image: Connection options for the ORICO DAS enclosure.
Connect Data Cable: Use the provided 2-in-1 Type-C to Type-A/Type-C data cable to connect the "Main" USB 3.2 Gen2 port on the back of the enclosure to your computer's USB port.
Image: Rear panel of the enclosure highlighting the USB 3.1 Gen2 Main port.
Connect Power: Plug the power cable into the enclosure's power input and then into a wall outlet.
Power On: Turn on the enclosure using the power button on the rear panel.
4.3. Daisy Chain Expansion
The enclosure supports daisy-chaining up to three devices for expanded storage capacity.
Image: Daisy-chaining multiple ORICO DAS enclosures.
To daisy-chain, connect the "Main" port of the first enclosure to your computer. Then, connect the "HUB" port of the first enclosure to the "Main" port of the second enclosure, and so on. This allows for modular data management and significant storage expansion.
4.4. Initial Disk Setup (Formatting/Partitioning)
Important Note: A brand new hard drive must be partitioned (formatted) before it can be recognized and used by your computer. If there is important data on your hard drive, ensure you have a backup to prevent data loss.
For Windows Systems:
Connect the hard disk to the enclosure and then to the computer.
Right-click on "My Computer" (or "This PC") and select "Manage".
In the Computer Management window, go to "Disk Management".
Locate the newly added hard drive (it will likely appear as "Unallocated" or "Not Initialized").
Right-click on the disk and select "Initialize Disk". Choose MBR (for disks up to 2TB) or GPT (for disks larger than 2TB).
Right-click on the unallocated space and select "New Simple Volume". Follow the wizard to create a partition, assign a drive letter, and format it (e.g., NTFS or exFAT).
Image: Hard Disk Partition Operation Steps for Windows.
For Mac OS / Linux Systems:
The RAID management software cannot be installed on Mac OS 11+ or Linux systems. If you intend to use RAID functionality, you must configure it on a Windows computer first.
A Windows computer is required for initial RAID setup.
Download and install the Windows RAID management software.
Initialize the hard disk partition on the Windows computer, selecting exFAT as the file format.
Connect the configured enclosure to your Mac or Linux computer to identify and use.
5. Operating Instructions
5.1. Basic Operation
Power On/Off: Use the power button on the rear panel to turn the enclosure on or off.
LED Indicators: Each hard drive tray is equipped with an LED indicator light, allowing you to check the working status of individual drives at any time.
Image: Detail of a hard drive bay with LED indicator.
Data Transfer: Once connected and recognized by your computer, the drives within the enclosure will function like any other external storage device. You can drag and drop files, copy, paste, etc.
5.2. Smart Sleep Mode
The enclosure is designed with a smart sleep mode to conserve energy and extend hard drive lifespan. It will automatically enter sleep mode after 10 minutes of data inactivity.
Activation: Automatically activates after 10 minutes of no data access.
Deactivation: The drives will wake up automatically upon data access.
Adjustment: The sleep mode function can be adjusted or cancelled using ORICO's firmware or compatible third-party software.
Image: Smart Sleep Mode feature.
5.3. Single Disk Replacement
The independent disk slots allow for hot-swapping of individual drives without interrupting the operation of other drives. To replace a single disk:
Ensure the specific drive you wish to replace is not actively being accessed.
Press the door button to open the tray of the drive to be replaced.
Carefully pull out the tray with the old drive.
Replace the old drive with a new one on the bracket, securing it with screws.
Insert the tray with the new drive back into the enclosure and close the door.
The system should recognize the new drive. You may need to format/partition it if it's a new drive (refer to section 4.4).
6. 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 maintain optimal airflow and prevent overheating.
Image: Rear view highlighting the cooling fan and honeycomb design.
Firmware Updates: Periodically check the ORICO official website for any available firmware updates for your model. Updates can improve performance, add features, or fix bugs.
Data Backup: Regularly back up important data stored on the hard drives. While the enclosure provides protection features, no storage solution is foolproof against all forms of data loss.
Hard Drive Lifespan: Hard drives are consumable items. It is generally recommended to replace them after 3-5 years to prevent data loss and damage caused by aging drives.
7. Troubleshooting
This section addresses common issues you might encounter with your ORICO DAS enclosure.
Image: Common Queries and Solutions.
Q: After a brand new hard drive is connected to the computer, why can't it be found and the drive letter cannot be displayed?
A: After the new hard drive is connected to the computer, it must be formatted before the system can recognize it and use it. Operation method: first, right-click "Computer", then click "Manage", open "Disk Management", find the newly added hard drive, and right-click "For Initialization", select "MBR" (hard disk capacity less than or equal to 2TB) or "GPT" (greater than 2TB), then "New Simple Volume". By default, the next step is to format the partition. After the formatting is completed, the hard disk can be used normally and the new Added drive letter.
Q: What should I do if the hard disk appears in RAW format in Disk Management due to improper extraction or power outage?
A: Restore through the chkdsk command; operation method: run cmd as an administrator, enter CHKDSK D:/F (where D is the drive letter of the disk). After the scan and repair is completed, restart and it will be displayed.
Q: The hard drive shows dynamic invalidity in disk management after it was removed from the old computer?
A: This is caused by a problem with your system. Just reinstall the hard drive into the original computer motherboard, then back up the data and format it. If your old computer has been scrapped or cannot enter the system, you can download a dynamic disk conversion software to directly convert it into a basic disk.
Q: The hard drive is only displayed but has no drive letter?
A: Go to Disk Management, right-click the disk partition, select Change Disk Path and Name, and add the disk name for use.
Q: Automatically disconnects during transmission and then reconnects itself after a while?
A: When this happens, there may be a problem with the computer USB interface, USB data cable problem, computer USB driver problem, hard disk problem, or hard disk cabinet problem. You need to contact our technical staff to troubleshoot for you one by one.
8. User Tips
RAID Configuration: If you plan to use RAID features, especially with Mac OS 11+ or Linux, remember to configure RAID on a Windows machine first using the appropriate software, and format the partitions as exFAT for cross-platform compatibility.
Data Safety: Always back up critical data. While the enclosure offers robust features, external factors like power outages or improper disconnections can lead to data corruption.
Cable Quality: Ensure you use the provided high-quality USB 3.2 Gen2 cable for optimal performance and stability. Issues like automatic disconnections can sometimes be traced back to faulty cables or computer USB ports.
Cooling: For prolonged high-load operations, ensure the enclosure has adequate ventilation to prevent overheating, which can impact drive performance and longevity.
9. Warranty and Support
ORICO products typically come with a 1-year warranty. For technical support, warranty claims, or further assistance, please contact ORICO customer service or refer to the official ORICO website.
Warranty Period: 1 Year Warranty (All products have a 1-year warranty).
Support: For technical inquiries or issues, contact ORICO customer support.
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