MAIWO Dual-Bay 3.5 Inch SATA HDD Case User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your MAIWO Dual-Bay 3.5 Inch SATA HDD Case. This external hard drive docking station is designed to support two 3.5-inch SATA mechanical hard drives, offering a total capacity of up to 60TB. It features a USB Type-C interface for high-speed data transfer and supports various RAID modes for flexible data management.

Safety Precautions

Please read and adhere to the following precautions to ensure safe and optimal operation of your device:

• Only 3.5-inch SATA mechanical hard drives are supported. 2.5-inch hard drives, NVMe protocol hard drives, and other grid hard drives are not supported.
• Installation and replacement of hard drives must be performed with the power off. Live plugging and unplugging is strictly prohibited to avoid damage to the equipment or data loss.
• A new hard drive needs to be initialized, partitioned, and grid-formatted before it can be recognized and used normally.
• During data reading and writing, do not disconnect the power supply or plug in/out the data cable to prevent data damage or transmission interruption.
• When using it under high load for a long time, it is recommended to turn on the fan to improve heat dissipation and ensure stable operation.
• Avoid placing the device in a humid, high-temperature, or strong magnetic field environment to extend the service life of the device and hard drive.

Package Contents

Please verify that all items are present in your package:

• 1 x MAIWO Dual-Bay 3.5 Inch HDD Docking Station
• 1 x C to C/A 2-in-1 Data Cable
• 1 x Power Adapter (EU/US/AU/UK Plug, depending on region)
• Screws for hard drive installation
• User Manual (this document)

Specifications

Note: Dimensions are measured manually and may have slight errors. Please refer to the actual product.

Setup Guide

1. Hard Drive Installation

Follow these steps to install your 3.5-inch SATA hard drives into the enclosure:

1. Remove the middle frame from the HDD enclosure.
2. Insert the first 3.5-inch HDD (HDD1) into the middle frame at an angle of 10 degrees.



3. Secure HDD1 from the side using the provided silver screws.
4. Tilt the second 3.5-inch HDD (HDD2) at 10 degrees and insert it into the middle frame.
5. Secure HDD2 from the side using the provided silver screws.
6. Place the assembled middle frame with the installed HDDs back into the HDD enclosure.
7. Secure the middle frame to the enclosure using the three black screws.

2. Connecting to Your Computer

After installing the hard drives, connect the enclosure to your computer:

1. Connect the HDD enclosure to your computer using the provided data cable (Type-C).
2. Connect the power cord to the enclosure and then to a power outlet.
3. Turn on the power switch on the enclosure. The hard disk indicator light should turn on.
4. The USB driver will be automatically installed by your operating system.

Note: If you are using an old hard drive, it should be recognized immediately. For new hard drives, initialization, partitioning, and formatting are required before use.

Operating Instructions

1. RAID Mode Configuration

⚠ Important: Before configuring RAID modes or switching between them, please back up all data on your hard drives. Data loss may occur if not backed up!

The MAIWO Dual-Bay enclosure supports RAID0, RAID1, Normal, and LARGE modes. Use the RAID Mode Setting Button and the RESET button to configure the desired mode.

To set a RAID mode:

1. Ensure the enclosure is powered off and disconnected from the computer.
2. Adjust the RAID Mode Setting Button (dial code) on the rear panel to the desired configuration.
• Normal Mode: Both dials in the 'down' position.
• LARGE Mode: First dial 'up', second dial 'down'.
• RAID1 Mode: First dial 'down', second dial 'up'.
• RAID0 Mode: Both dials in the 'up' position.
3. Connect the power and data cables, then turn on the enclosure.
4. Press and hold the "RESET" button for 5-10 seconds until the RAID indicator light turns on, then release it.
5. If the setting is successful, the corresponding indicator lights will illuminate.

2. New Hard Disk Formatting and Partitioning

For new hard drives, or after changing RAID modes, you may need to initialize, partition, and format the disks.

1. Open "Computer Management" on your Windows PC (Right-click "This PC" > "Manage" > "Disk Management").
2. Locate the new disk(s) in Disk Management.
3. Initialize the disk(s). Choose MBR for drives smaller than 2TB, and GPT for drives larger than 2TB.
4. Right-click the unallocated space on the disk and select "New Simple Volume" to create partitions. Follow the on-screen wizard to set the partition size and format.
5. After formatting, the new hard drive(s) will appear in "My Computer" and be ready for use.

3. General Usage

• Dual Disk Read and Write: The enclosure supports simultaneous read and write operations for both installed hard drives, optimizing data transfer efficiency.
• Type-C Plug and Play: Equipped with a reversible Type-C interface, it's compatible with USB 3.2/3.0/2.0, ensuring stable transmission and easy connectivity across various devices (Windows, macOS, Linux).
• Massive Storage Expansion: Expand your storage capacity for NAS, routers, or Mac mini without capacity worries.

Maintenance

1. Heat Dissipation and Fan Control

The enclosure features an aluminum alloy body with integrated heat dissipation vents and an independent fan switch for effective cooling.

• The intelligent fan automatically starts when the chassis temperature reaches 28°C.
• It will run continuously for three minutes, then re-test the temperature. If the temperature drops below 28°C, the fan will turn off. If it remains at or above 28°C, the fan will continue to operate.
• You can manually control the fan using the independent fan switch on the rear panel to balance heat dissipation and noise levels.

2. General Care

• Keep the device clean and free from dust.
• Avoid exposing the enclosure to direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, or high humidity.
• Do not place heavy objects on top of the enclosure.
• Handle hard drives carefully during installation and removal.

Troubleshooting (FAQ)

Here are answers to some common questions:

Q: Is this product a hard drive holder or a hard drive enclosure?

A: It is a double-disk hard disk cabinet with a closed structure, suitable for long-term fixed placement and convenient for centralized management of multiple disks.

Q: Does it support 2.5-inch hard drives or NVMe hard drives?

A: Not supported. Only compatible with 3.5-inch SATA interface mechanical hard drives. Please do not install hard drives of other specifications.

Q: Can dual drives read and write data simultaneously?

A: Yes, it supports parallel reading and writing of dual disks, and can manage the data of two hard disks separately without frequent plugging and unplugging.

Q: Can Mac computers and Linux systems be used?

A: Yes, it fully supports the three major mainstream systems of Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is plug-and-play and requires no additional settings.

Q: How to set up a new hard drive after buying it?

A: Initialization needs to be completed in the computer disk management (select MBR for <2TB, select GPT for ≥2TB), and then it can be used normally after partitioning and grid formatting.

Q: Is the fan automatically temperature-controlled? How is it controlled?

A: It is not automatic temperature control. It is equipped with an independent fan switch. The fan can be manually controlled to start and stop according to usage needs, taking into account heat dissipation and silence.

User Tips

• For optimal performance, ensure your computer's USB-C port supports USB 3.0 or higher.
• Always safely eject the hard drive enclosure from your operating system before disconnecting the data cable or power to prevent data corruption.
• Consider using RAID1 mode for critical data to ensure redundancy and protection against single drive failure.
• Regularly check the fan for dust accumulation and clean it to maintain efficient cooling.

Warranty and Support

For further assistance, FAQs, or support, please visit the official MAIWO website or contact customer service:

• Email: info@maiwoasia.com
• Website: www.maiwoasia.com

Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims.