ICY BOX IB-1232CL-U3 USB 3.0 Dual Bay Docking Station User Manual

1. Introduction

The ICY BOX IB-1232CL-U3 is a versatile dual-bay docking station designed for convenient connection and management of 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA SSDs and HDDs. It supports high-speed data transfer via USB 3.0 and features a standalone cloning function, allowing disk duplication without a host computer. This manual provides essential information for setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Image 1.1: ICY BOX IB-1232CL-U3 Dual Bay Docking Station with drives and USB cable.

2. Package Contents

Please verify that all items are present in the package:

• ICY BOX IB-1232CL-U3 Dual Bay Docking Station
• USB 3.0 Type-A to Type-B Cable (80 cm)
• Power Adapter
• User Manual (this document)

3. Setup

3.1 Inserting Hard Drives/SSDs

1. Ensure the docking station is powered off and disconnected from your computer.
2. Gently insert your 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD into the drive bays. Ensure the SATA connectors align correctly. The docking station supports two drives simultaneously.

Image 3.1: The docking station supports both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives.

3.2 Connecting to Power and Computer

1. Connect the provided power adapter to the docking station and then to a power outlet.
2. Connect the USB 3.0 cable from the docking station to an available USB 3.0 port on your computer.
3. Turn on the docking station using the power switch.

Image 3.2: USB 3.0 connection for data transfer up to 5 Gbit/s.

4. Operating Instructions

4.1 Data Transfer Mode (Connected to PC)

Once connected to your computer and powered on, the inserted drives will be recognized as individual storage devices. This docking station is compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems.

• High-Speed Transfer: The USB 3.0 interface supports data transfer rates up to 5 Gb/s. With SATA III protocol, it can achieve up to 6 Gb/s per drive.
• UASP Support: UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) enhances data transfer performance, especially with SSDs.
• Hot Swap: Drives can be inserted or removed while the docking station is powered on and connected to the computer, provided they are safely ejected from the operating system first.

Image 4.1: Plug & Play functionality with a laptop.

4.2 Standalone Clone Function

The IB-1232CL-U3 features a standalone cloning function, allowing you to duplicate a source drive to a target drive without needing a computer connection.

1. Ensure the docking station is powered off.
2. Insert the Source Drive (the drive you want to copy from) into the HDD1 bay.
3. Insert the Target Drive (the drive you want to copy to) into the HDD2 bay. The target drive must be equal to or larger in capacity than the source drive.
4. Ensure the USB cable is disconnected from the computer.
5. Power on the docking station.
6. Press and hold the Clone button for approximately 3-5 seconds until the LED indicators begin to flash.
7. Press the Clone button again briefly to confirm and start the cloning process.
8. The progress LEDs (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) will illuminate sequentially to indicate the cloning status. When the 100% LED is solid, the cloning process is complete.
9. Power off the docking station before removing the drives.

Important Notes for Cloning:

• All data on the target drive will be overwritten during the cloning process. Back up any important data on the target drive before proceeding.
• Do not interrupt the cloning process once it has started.
• No driver software is required for standalone cloning.

Image 4.2: Status LEDs indicate cloning progress.

5. Maintenance

• Keep the docking station clean and free from dust. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.
• Avoid exposing the device to moisture, extreme temperatures, or direct sunlight.
• When not in use, it is recommended to remove the drives and store them safely. The docking station features protective dust caps for the bays.
• Always safely eject drives from your operating system before physically removing them from the docking station to prevent data corruption.

6. Troubleshooting

• Drives Not Recognized:
  • Ensure the docking station is powered on and the power adapter is securely connected.
  • Verify that the USB cable is firmly connected to both the docking station and your computer.
  • Check if the drives are properly seated in the bays, ensuring the SATA connectors are fully engaged.
  • Try connecting the docking station to a different USB port on your computer.
  • If using a new drive, it may need to be initialized, partitioned, and formatted through your operating system's Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS).
• Slow Data Transfer:
  • Ensure you are connected to a USB 3.0 port on your computer. USB 2.0 ports will result in significantly slower speeds.
  • Verify that your operating system and drivers support UASP for optimal performance.
  • The performance of the drive itself can affect transfer speeds.
• Cloning Issues:
  • Ensure the target drive's capacity is equal to or greater than the source drive's capacity.
  • Confirm the USB cable is disconnected from the computer before initiating standalone cloning.
  • Ensure the source drive is in HDD1 and the target drive is in HDD2.
  • If the cloning process stops prematurely, check the drives for errors or damage.
• Power LED Not On:
  • Check the power adapter connection to both the docking station and the wall outlet.
  • Ensure the power switch on the docking station is in the 'On' position.

7. Specifications

8. Warranty and Support

Warranty information for the ICY BOX IB-1232CL-U3 is typically provided with your purchase. Please refer to the documentation included in your product packaging or contact your retailer for specific warranty terms and conditions.

For technical support, driver updates, or further assistance, please visit the official ICY BOX website or contact their customer support directly. Information regarding spare parts and software updates may not be available or guaranteed beyond the initial purchase.