FIDECO HDD Docking Station User Manual

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the FIDECO HDD Docking Station. This device provides a convenient solution for connecting 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA HDDs/SSDs to your computer via USB 3.0, offering high-speed data transfer and an independent offline cloning function. Please read this manual carefully before use to ensure proper operation and to maximize the product's lifespan.

2. Safety Information

• Do not expose the device to water, moisture, or extreme temperatures.
• Avoid dropping or subjecting the device to strong impacts.
• Use only the provided power adapter. Using an incompatible adapter may damage the device.
• Ensure proper ventilation around the device during operation to prevent overheating.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the device yourself. Contact customer support for assistance.

3. Package Contents

Please check the package contents upon opening. If any items are missing or damaged, please contact FIDECO customer support.

• FIDECO HDD Docking Station (Model: YPZ04-S2-U3)
• USB 3.0 Data Cable
• 12V Power Adapter
• User Manual

Image: Package contents of the FIDECO HDD Docking Station.

4. Product Overview

The FIDECO HDD Docking Station is designed for ease of use and high performance. It features two drive bays, LED indicators for power and cloning progress, and a dedicated clone button.

Image: Front view of the FIDECO HDD Docking Station.

Image: Product diagram with dimensions and port labels.

Key Components:

• Drive Bays: Two slots for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs/SSDs.
• LED Indicators: Power LED (red), Data Transfer/Clone Progress LEDs (blue).
• Clone Button: Initiates the offline cloning process.
• USB 3.0 Port: For connecting to a computer for data transfer.
• DC 12V Power Input: For connecting the power adapter.
• Power Switch: Turns the device on/off.

5. Setup

Step 1: Inserting Drives

1. Ensure the docking station is powered off.
2. Carefully insert your 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD into the drive bay(s) until it is firmly seated. For 2.5-inch drives, ensure they are aligned with the SATA connector.

Image: Inserting a 3.5-inch HDD and a 2.5-inch SSD into the docking station.

Step 2: Connecting to Power

1. Connect the provided 12V power adapter to the DC 12V input port on the docking station.
2. Plug the power adapter into a wall outlet.
3. Flip the power switch to the 'ON' position. The power LED (red) will illuminate.

Step 3: Connecting to a Computer (for data transfer)

1. Connect one end of the USB 3.0 data cable to the USB 3.0 port on the docking station.
2. Connect the other end of the USB 3.0 data cable to an available USB 3.0 port on your computer.
3. The docking station is plug-and-play and does not require driver installation for most operating systems.

Image: Docking station connected to a laptop for data transfer.

Step 4: Disk Initialization (for new drives)

If you are using a brand new HDD/SSD, it may need to be initialized and formatted before it can be used. This process is done through your computer's operating system.

• For Windows:
  1. Right-click on 'This PC' (or 'My Computer') and select 'Manage'.
  2. In the Computer Management window, select 'Disk Management'.
  3. Locate your new disk (it will likely be marked as 'Unallocated'). Right-click on it and select 'Initialize Disk'.
  4. Choose MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table) as the partition style. For drives larger than 2TB, GPT is recommended.
  5. After initialization, right-click on the unallocated space and select 'New Simple Volume' to create a partition and format it.
• For Mac OS:
  1. Open 'Disk Utility' (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility).
  2. Select your new disk from the sidebar.
  3. Click 'Erase' and choose a format (e.g., APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled)) and a scheme (e.g., GUID Partition Map).
  4. Click 'Erase' again to confirm.

6. Operating Instructions

Data Transfer Mode

When connected to a computer via USB 3.0, the docking station functions as an external drive enclosure. You can access the installed HDDs/SSDs directly from your computer's file explorer. The USB 3.0 port supports data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, enabling fast transfer of large files. It is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1.

Image: Docking station used with laptop, desktop, and TV.

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 ideal for system backups or drive upgrades.

Important: The target drive (Disk 2) must have a capacity equal to or greater than the source drive (Disk 1). All data on the target drive will be erased during the cloning process. Please back up any important data on the target drive before proceeding.

Image: Offline clone function overview.

1. Ensure the docking station is powered off and disconnected from any computer.
2. Insert the source drive (the drive you want to copy from) into the Disk 1 (Source) slot.
3. Insert the target drive (the drive you want to copy to) into the Disk 2 (Target) slot.
4. Power on the docking station. The power LED will light up.
5. Press and hold the 'Clone' button for approximately 5 seconds until the blue progress LEDs (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) begin to flash. This indicates the cloning process has started.

Image: Pressing the 'Clone' button.
6. The blue LEDs will indicate the cloning progress:
   • 25% LED flashes: Cloning started.
   • 25% LED solid, 50% LED flashes: 25% complete.
   • 50% LED solid, 75% LED flashes: 50% complete.
   • 75% LED solid, 100% LED flashes: 75% complete.
   • All LEDs solid: Cloning complete.


Image: Cloning progress indicated by blue LEDs.

7. Once all LEDs are solid, the cloning process is complete. You can then power off the docking station and remove the drives.

7. Troubleshooting

• Drive not recognized by computer:
  • Ensure the power adapter is securely connected and the docking station is powered on.
  • Verify the USB 3.0 cable is properly connected to both the docking station and your computer.
  • Check Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac OS) to see if the drive is detected but uninitialized or unformatted. Follow the 'Disk Initialization' steps if necessary.
  • Try connecting the docking station to a different USB port on your computer.
  • Ensure the HDD/SSD is correctly seated in the drive bay.
• Offline cloning fails or does not start:
  • Ensure the docking station is disconnected from the computer before starting the clone.
  • Verify that the source drive is in Disk 1 (Source) and the target drive is in Disk 2 (Target).
  • Confirm that the target drive's capacity is equal to or greater than the source drive's capacity.
  • Press and hold the 'Clone' button for the full 5 seconds until the LEDs begin to flash.
  • If the LEDs do not progress, try power cycling the device and repeating the cloning steps.
• Slow data transfer speeds:
  • Ensure you are connected to a USB 3.0 port on your computer. USB 2.0 ports will result in slower speeds.
  • Check the health of your HDD/SSD. A failing drive can cause slow transfer speeds.
  • Ensure your operating system and drivers are up to date.

8. Specifications

9. Maintenance

• Keep the device clean by wiping it with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosols.
• Store the docking station in a cool, dry place when not in use.
• Avoid placing heavy objects on top of the device.
• Handle HDDs/SSDs carefully when inserting or removing them to prevent damage to the connectors.

10. Warranty and Support

The FIDECO HDD Docking Station comes with an 18-month warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers manufacturing defects and ensures safe use of the product.

If you have any questions, concerns, or require technical assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our customer support team:

Email: support@fideco.cn

Please provide your product model number (YPZ04-S2-U3) and a detailed description of the issue when contacting support for faster service.