ACT Dual Hard Drive Docking Station

Introduction

The ACT AC1504 Dual Hard Drive Docking Station provides a convenient and efficient solution for connecting and accessing 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA I/II/III hard drives and SSDs. This device supports high-speed data transfer via USB 3.0 (USB 3.2 Gen1) and features an offline cloning function, allowing you to duplicate drives without a computer connection. It is designed for data transfer, storage expansion, file backup, data recovery, system upgrades, and disk cloning.

Package Contents

Please verify that all items are present in your package:

• ACT Dual Hard Drive Docking Station (AC1504)
• USB 3.0 Type-A to Type-B Cable
• Power Adapter
• User Manual (this document)

Image: The ACT AC1504 Dual Hard Drive Docking Station, its power adapter, and the USB 3.0 cable, as included in the package.

Product Features

• Dual Bay Compatibility: Supports all 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs up to 12.5mm thickness.
• High-Speed USB 3.0: Utilizes USB 3.2 Gen1 technology for ultra-fast data transfer rates up to 5 Gbps.
• UASP Support: Enhanced performance with USB Attached SCSI Protocol.
• Offline Cloning: Clone data from one hard drive to another without requiring a computer connection.
• Versatile Use: Ideal for data transfer, storage expansion, file backup, data recovery, system upgrades, and disk cloning.

Setup

1. Connect Power: Plug the power adapter into the DC input port on the rear of the docking station. Connect the other end of the power adapter to a wall outlet.
2. Insert Hard Drives: Gently slide your 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD into the drive slots. Ensure the drives are fully seated. For offline cloning, the source drive should be in the 'Source' slot and the target drive in the 'Target' slot.
3. Connect to Computer (for data access): If you intend to use the docking station for data access via your computer, connect the USB 3.0 cable from the docking station's USB port to an available USB port on your computer.
4. Power On: Flip the ON/OFF switch on the rear of the docking station to the 'ON' position. The power indicator LED will illuminate.

Image: Rear panel of the docking station, illustrating the USB 3.0 port, ON/OFF power switch, and DC power input for connections.

Image: The docking station connected to a laptop via its USB cable, with two hard drives inserted, demonstrating a typical setup for data access.

Operating Instructions

A. Data Access Mode (Connected to Computer)

1. Ensure the docking station is powered on and connected to your computer via the USB 3.0 cable.
2. Insert one or two SATA HDDs/SSDs into the available slots.
3. Your operating system should automatically detect the drives. They will appear as removable storage devices.
4. You can now access, transfer, and manage files on the inserted drives as you would with any other external storage.

B. Offline Cloning Function

The offline cloning function allows you to duplicate a source drive to a target drive without a computer connection.

1. Prepare Drives: Ensure both the source drive (the drive you want to copy FROM) and the target drive (the drive you want to copy TO) are SATA HDDs/SSDs. The target drive must be equal to or larger in capacity than the source drive.
2. Insert Drives: Insert the source drive into the 'Source' slot (HDD1) and the target drive into the 'Target' slot (HDD2).
3. Disconnect from PC: Ensure the docking station is NOT connected to any computer via USB.
4. Power On: Turn on the docking station using the ON/OFF switch.
5. Initiate Cloning: Press and hold the 'Clone' button for approximately 3-5 seconds until the cloning progress LEDs (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) begin to flash.
6. Confirm Cloning: Release the button, then quickly press it again to confirm the cloning process. The cloning process will begin, indicated by the progress LEDs lighting up sequentially.
7. Monitor Progress: The LEDs will indicate the cloning progress (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%). All LEDs will remain solid when the cloning process is complete.
8. Power Off: Once cloning is complete, turn off the docking station and safely remove the drives.

Important: All data on the target drive will be erased during the cloning process. Back up any important data from the target drive before initiating cloning.

Image: The ACT AC1504 Dual Hard Drive Docking Station with two hard drives inserted, illustrating its dual-bay design and the LED indicators for power, activity, and cloning progress.

Maintenance

• Keep the docking station clean and free from dust. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.
• Avoid exposing the device to extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the device yourself. Refer to qualified service personnel.
• Always power off the docking station before inserting or removing drives, especially during data transfer, to prevent data corruption.

Troubleshooting

• Drive Not Detected:
  • Ensure the docking station is powered on and the drive is properly seated in the slot.
  • Verify the USB cable is securely connected to both the docking station and your computer.
  • Try connecting to a different USB port on your computer.
  • Check if the drive is initialized and formatted in your computer'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 slower speeds.
  • Verify that your operating system and drivers support USB 3.0 and UASP.
• Offline Cloning Fails or Does Not Start:
  • Ensure the docking station is NOT connected to a computer via USB during cloning.
  • Confirm the target drive's capacity is equal to or larger than the source drive's capacity.
  • Make sure both drives are properly inserted and detected by the docking station (power and activity LEDs should be on).
  • Follow the cloning steps precisely, especially the press-and-hold and quick-press sequence for the 'Clone' button.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

ACT provides reliable connectivity solutions. All ACT products comply with international standards and EU legislation. This product benefits from a factory warranty of 2 to 5 years.

For technical support or warranty claims, please refer to the official ACT website or contact your local retailer.

Website: www.act-connectivity.com