FIDECO FC-PL06 SATA/IDE to USB 3.0 Adapter Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the FIDECO FC-PL06 SATA/IDE to USB 3.0 Adapter. This device allows you to connect 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA and IDE hard drives, SSDs, and 5.25-inch optical drives (DVD-ROM/CD-ROM/CD-RW) to your computer via a USB 3.0 interface. It also features an offline clone function for direct drive duplication without a computer.

Please read this manual carefully before using the product to ensure proper operation and to prevent damage.

2. Product Overview

The FIDECO FC-PL06 adapter is designed for versatility and high-speed data transfer. It supports a wide range of legacy and modern storage devices.

Image 2.1: FIDECO FC-PL06 Adapter. This image displays the main unit of the FIDECO adapter, showing its various ports for IDE and SATA drives, the USB 3.0 output, and the clone button with LED indicators.

Key Features:

• Wide Compatibility: Supports 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs/SSDs, and 2.5-inch, 3.5-inch, and 5.25-inch IDE HDDs/optical drives.
• USB 3.0 High Speed: Achieves data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps, backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1.
• Offline Clone Function: Allows direct duplication of drives without a computer.
• Simultaneous Drive Connection: Supports simultaneous connection of two drives (IDE Source + SATA2 Target or SATA1 Source + SATA2 Target). Note: IDE Source and SATA1 Source cannot be connected simultaneously.
• Driver-Free: Plug and play functionality for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems.

3. Setup Guide

Follow these steps to set up your FIDECO FC-PL06 adapter.

3.1 Connecting Hard Drives/SSDs

1. Identify Drive Type: Determine if your drive is SATA (2.5-inch or 3.5-inch) or IDE (2.5-inch, 3.5-inch, or 5.25-inch).
2. Connect SATA Drives: For SATA drives, connect them directly to the SATA1 Source or SATA2 Target ports on the adapter. Ensure a firm connection.
3. Connect IDE Drives: For IDE drives, connect the 40-pin IDE connector from the adapter to the IDE port on your drive. For 2.5-inch IDE drives, you may need to use the smaller 44-pin connector if available, or an appropriate adapter (not included). Ensure the drive's master/slave jumper is set correctly if applicable (usually to Master or Cable Select).
4. Power IDE Drives: Connect the 4-pin Molex power cable from the adapter's power supply to the IDE drive's power input.

Image 3.1: Detailed view of the adapter's ports. This image highlights the various connection points on the FIDECO adapter, including the IDE Source, SATA1 Source, SATA2 Target, USB 3.0 port, DC 12V power input, and 4-pin IDE power output, indicating compatibility with 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch IDE/SATA drives.

3.2 Connecting to Computer and Power

1. Connect USB Cable: Plug the USB 3.0 cable from the adapter into an available USB 3.0 port on your computer for optimal performance. It is backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1 ports.
2. Connect Power Adapter: Connect the provided 12V DC power adapter to the adapter's DC 12V input port, then plug it into a power outlet. The power adapter is essential for stable operation, especially when connecting multiple drives or 3.5-inch drives.

Image 3.2: Adapter connected to a laptop and SSD. This image shows the FIDECO adapter connected to a laptop via USB, with an SSD connected to one of its SATA ports, illustrating a typical data transfer setup.

3.3 Initializing New Drives

For brand new HDDs or SSDs, they may not appear in 'My Computer' or 'This PC' immediately. You will need to initialize and format them first.

• Windows: Right-click 'This PC' (or 'My Computer') > 'Manage' > 'Disk Management'. Locate the unallocated drive, right-click it, and select 'Initialize Disk', then 'New Simple Volume' to format it.
• Mac OS: Go to 'Applications' > 'Utilities' > 'Disk Utility'. Select the drive and use the 'Erase' function to format it.

4. Operating Instructions

4.1 Data Transfer Mode

Once connected to your computer and powered on, the adapter will be recognized as an external storage device. You can then access the connected drives like any other external drive.

• Ensure all cables are securely connected.
• The red LED indicators for IDE/SATA1 and SATA2 will light up when drives are connected and detected.
• Transfer files by dragging and dropping or using copy/paste functions.

Image 4.1: Connecting a hard drive to a laptop. This image illustrates a user connecting a hard drive to a laptop using the FIDECO adapter, demonstrating its use for accessing external storage.

4.2 Offline Clone Function

The offline clone function allows you to duplicate a source drive to a target drive without needing a computer connection. This is useful for system backups or drive upgrades.

Important Considerations:

• The target drive's capacity must be equal to or greater than the source drive's capacity.
• Only two combinations are supported for offline cloning: IDE Source + SATA2 Target or SATA1 Source + SATA2 Target.
• IDE Source and SATA1 Source cannot be connected simultaneously during cloning.
• All data on the target drive will be erased during the cloning process. Back up any important data from the target drive before proceeding.

Image 4.2: Offline clone setup. This image demonstrates the FIDECO adapter configured for an offline clone operation, with an IDE drive connected as the source and a SATA drive as the target, along with the clone button and LED indicators.

Steps for Offline Clone:

1. Ensure the adapter is disconnected from any computer.
2. Connect the source drive (IDE or SATA1) to the corresponding 'Source' port.
3. Connect the target drive (SATA2) to the 'SATA2 Target' port.
4. Connect the power adapter to the FIDECO device and a power outlet.
5. Press and hold the 'CLONE' button for approximately 3 seconds until the first blue LED (25%) begins to flash. This indicates the cloning process has started.
6. The blue LED indicators (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) will light up sequentially to show the cloning progress.
7. Once all four blue LEDs are solid, the cloning process is complete.
8. Safely disconnect the power adapter and then remove the drives.

4.3 LED Indicators

Image 4.3: LED indicators. This image highlights the LED lights on the FIDECO adapter, explaining that red lights indicate hard drive activity and blue lights indicate clone processing progress (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%).

• Red LEDs (IDE/SATA1, SATA2): Indicate hard drive activity and detection. They will light up when a drive is properly connected and powered.
• Blue LEDs (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%): Indicate the progress of the offline cloning process. They will flash and then become solid as each stage of cloning is completed.

5. Compatibility

5.1 Supported Drive Types

• 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD
• 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD
• 2.5-inch IDE HDD
• 3.5-inch IDE HDD
• 5.25-inch IDE Optical Drives (DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, CD-RW)

5.2 Supported Operating Systems

• Windows (all versions)
• Mac OS
• Linux

Image 5.1: Compatible systems and devices. This image visually confirms the FIDECO adapter's compatibility with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems, as well as various devices like TVs, PCs, and laptops.

6. Troubleshooting

• Drive not recognized:
  • Ensure all cables (USB, power, data) are securely connected.
  • Verify the power adapter is plugged into a working outlet.
  • For new drives, ensure they are initialized and formatted in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac OS) as described in Section 3.3.
  • Check the drive's master/slave jumper settings for IDE drives.
  • Try connecting the drive directly to a computer (if possible) to rule out drive failure.
• Slow transfer speeds:
  • Ensure the adapter is connected to a USB 3.0 port on your computer.
  • Verify the source and target drives are functioning optimally.
  • Avoid running other resource-intensive applications during large data transfers.
• Offline clone fails or does not start:
  • Ensure the target drive capacity is equal to or greater than the source drive capacity.
  • Confirm the correct drive combinations are used (IDE Source + SATA2 Target or SATA1 Source + SATA2 Target).
  • Make sure the adapter is disconnected from the computer during the clone process.
  • Press and hold the 'CLONE' button for the required 3 seconds until the 25% blue LED flashes.
  • Ensure both source and target drives are properly powered.

7. Specifications

8. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your FIDECO FC-PL06 adapter, please observe the following maintenance guidelines:

• Keep the device in a clean, dry environment, away from dust and moisture.
• Avoid exposing the adapter to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.
• Do not drop or subject the device to strong impacts.
• Clean the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or solvents.
• Always disconnect the power adapter when the device is not in use for extended periods.

9. Warranty and Support

FIDECO products are designed for reliability and performance. For technical support, warranty information, or any questions regarding your FC-PL06 adapter, please contact FIDECO customer service.

You can reach our support team via the Amazon email system. Our engineers are available to offer technical assistance and provide firmware updates if necessary.

Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims.