1. Introduction
The Fantec QB-X2U31R is a high-performance external enclosure designed to house two 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). It supports various RAID configurations (SINGLE, BIG, RAID 0, RAID 1) and offers high-speed data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps via its USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C interface. This manual provides essential information for the proper installation, configuration, and operation of your device.
Image 1.1: Front view of the Fantec QB-X2U31R enclosure.
2. Package Contents
Please check the package contents carefully. If any items are missing or damaged, contact your retailer.
- Fantec QB-X2U31R Enclosure
- USB 3.1 Type-C to Type-C Cable
- Power Adapter and Cable
- User Manual (this document)
- 2 x HDD Handles
- Screwdriver
Image 2.1: All items included in the Fantec QB-X2U31R package.
3. Product Overview
Familiarize yourself with the components and interfaces of the Fantec QB-X2U31R enclosure.
Image 3.1: Labeled diagram of the Fantec QB-X2U31R components.
Front Panel
- Power Button: Turns the device on/off.
- Mode Button: Selects RAID mode.
- Fan Button: Adjusts fan speed.
- LED Display: Indicates power status, HDD activity, error status, and selected RAID mode.
- HDD Slots: Bays for installing 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives.
Rear Panel
- USB 3.1 Type-C Port: Connects to your computer for data transfer.
- Power Input: Connects to the power adapter.
- 60mm Fan: Provides cooling for the installed drives.
Image 3.2: Rear view of the enclosure with USB and power connections.
4. Setup and Installation
4.1 Installing Hard Drives
The QB-X2U31R supports two 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III drives. For 3.5-inch drives, tool-less installation is supported. For 2.5-inch drives, an adapter (not included) may be required.
- Ensure the enclosure is powered off and disconnected from your computer.
- Open the front cover of the enclosure.
- For 3.5-inch drives: Gently slide the HDD into an available bay until it firmly connects with the SATA connector. Use the provided HDD handles if needed for easier insertion/removal.
- For 2.5-inch drives: Secure the 2.5-inch drive to a 3.5-inch adapter (not included) using screws. Then, slide the adapter with the 2.5-inch drive into the bay.
- Repeat for the second drive if applicable.
- Close the front cover.
Image 4.1: Interior view showing the drive bays for installation.
Image 4.2: Illustration of two hard drives, indicating the dual-bay capacity.
4.2 Connecting to Your Computer
- Connect one end of the provided USB 3.1 Type-C cable to the USB Type-C port on the rear of the enclosure.
- Connect the other end of the USB cable to an available USB Type-C port on your computer. For optimal performance, use a USB 3.1 Gen 2 compatible port.
- Connect the power adapter to the power input on the rear of the enclosure, then plug the power cable into an electrical outlet.
4.3 Powering On
Press the Power button on the front panel of the enclosure. The power LED will illuminate, and the drives will spin up. Your operating system should detect the new storage device.
5. RAID Configuration
The Fantec QB-X2U31R supports four RAID modes: SINGLE, BIG, RAID 0, and RAID 1. Important: Changing the RAID mode will erase all data on the installed drives. Back up your data before proceeding.
- Ensure the enclosure is powered off.
- Press and hold the Mode button on the front panel.
- While holding the Mode button, press the Power button to turn on the enclosure.
- Continue holding the Mode button until the RAID mode indicator LEDs start flashing.
- Release the Mode button.
- Press the Mode button repeatedly to cycle through the available RAID modes (SINGLE, BIG, RAID 0, RAID 1). The corresponding LED will illuminate.
- Once your desired RAID mode is selected, press and hold the Mode button for approximately 3-5 seconds until the selected RAID mode LED stops flashing and remains solid. This confirms the new RAID configuration.
- The enclosure will restart, and the drives will be formatted according to the new RAID setting.
RAID Mode Descriptions:
- SINGLE: Each drive is recognized as an independent volume.
- BIG (JBOD): Both drives are combined into a single large volume. Data is written sequentially across drives. No redundancy.
- RAID 0 (Striping): Data is split and written across both drives simultaneously for maximum performance. No redundancy; if one drive fails, all data is lost.
- RAID 1 (Mirroring): Data is duplicated across both drives for redundancy. If one drive fails, data is preserved on the other. Capacity is limited to the size of the smallest drive.
6. Operation
6.1 LED Indicators
- Power LED: Solid blue when powered on.
- HDD Access LEDs (HDD1, HDD2): Flashes blue during drive activity.
- HDD Error LEDs (HDD1, HDD2): Illuminates red if a drive error occurs.
- RAID Mode LEDs: Indicates the currently selected RAID mode.
6.2 Fan Control
The enclosure features a 60mm fan to maintain optimal operating temperatures for your drives. You can adjust the fan speed using the Fan button on the front panel.
- Press the Fan button to cycle through fan speed settings (e.g., Low, Medium, High, Auto).
- In Auto mode, the fan speed adjusts automatically based on internal temperature.
Image 6.1: Icon indicating the internal cooling fan feature.
6.3 Power Management
The enclosure supports automatic power synchronization. It will enter a sleep mode when your computer is shut down or goes into standby, and wake up when the computer resumes operation.
7. Maintenance
- Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the enclosure. Do not use liquid cleaners or solvents.
- Ventilation: Ensure the fan vents are not obstructed to allow for proper airflow and cooling.
- Firmware: Check the Fantec website periodically for any firmware updates that may improve performance or stability.
8. Troubleshooting
- Device not detected:
- Ensure the power adapter is securely connected and the enclosure is powered on.
- Verify the USB cable is properly connected to both the enclosure and your computer.
- Try a different USB port on your computer.
- Check if the drives are properly seated in the bays.
- For new drives, ensure they are initialized and formatted in your operating system's Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS).
- Slow data transfer speeds:
- Ensure you are connected to a USB 3.1 Gen 2 compatible port on your computer.
- Verify the USB cable is rated for USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds.
- Check the health of your installed drives.
- HDD Error LED is red:
- This indicates a drive failure or issue. If in RAID 1 mode, replace the faulty drive. If in RAID 0 or BIG mode, data may be lost.
- Power off the enclosure, remove the drive, and reinsert it to ensure proper connection. If the error persists, the drive may be faulty.
- Cannot change RAID mode:
- Ensure you follow the RAID configuration steps precisely, including holding the Mode button during power-on and for confirmation.
- Remember that changing RAID mode will erase all data.
9. Specifications
| Model Number | QB-X2U31R (Part No. 2133) |
| Brand | Fantec |
| Interface | USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C) |
| Data Transfer Rate | Up to 10 Gigabits per second |
| Drive Compatibility | 2 x 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDD/SSD |
| Max Supported Devices | 2 |
| RAID Modes | SINGLE, BIG (JBOD), RAID 0, RAID 1 |
| Material | Metal |
| Color | Black |
| Weight | 1.1 Kilograms |
| Compatible Platforms | Personal Computer, Laptop |
| Country of Origin | China |
Image 9.1: USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10G) connectivity logo.
10. Warranty and Support
This product is covered by a manufacturer's warranty. For specific warranty terms and conditions, please refer to the documentation provided with your purchase or visit the official Fantec website. For technical support or service inquiries, please contact Fantec customer service through their official channels.