ORICO Daisy-Chain 5-Bay Hard Drive Enclosure User Manual

1. Introduction

The ORICO Daisy-Chain 5-Bay Hard Drive Enclosure (Model 9958C3) is a high-capacity direct-attached storage (DAS) solution designed for extensive data management and expansion. It supports up to five 3.5-inch SATA hard drives, with individual drive capacities up to 22TB, totaling 110TB. The unique daisy-chain feature allows connecting up to three units for a massive 330TB storage capacity, ideal for video editing and large data processing. This enclosure utilizes a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface for high-speed data transfer and includes a built-in 150W power supply and an 80mm silent cooling fan for stable and efficient operation.

2. What's in the Box

Carefully unpack the box and ensure all items are present:

• 1 x ORICO Daisy-Chain 5-Bay Hard Drive Enclosure (DAS Studio)
• 1 x Screwdriver
• 1 x Power Cable
• 1 x Data Cable (USB-C to USB-C)
• 1 x Screw Pack
• 1 x User Manual

Figure 2.1: Package Contents

3. Specifications

Figure 3.1: Universal Compatibility

4. Setup Guide

4.1 Hard Drive Installation

1. Press the door button from the left side of the bay to open the drive tray.
2. Pull out the hard drive bracket.
3. Secure your 3.5-inch HDD or 2.5-inch SSD/HDD (with appropriate adapter) into the bracket using the provided screws. Ensure the drive is firmly seated.
4. Slide the bracket with the installed drive back into the enclosure until it clicks into place. Close the door.
5. Repeat for all desired drive bays.

Figure 4.1: Smart Storage - Individual Disk Access

Figure 4.2: Installation Steps

4.2 Connecting to Your Computer

1. Connect the provided power cable to the enclosure's power input and then to a power outlet.
2. Connect one end of the provided USB-C data cable to the 'Main' USB 3.2 Gen 2 port on the back of the enclosure.
3. Connect the other end of the USB-C data cable to an available USB-C port on your computer.
4. Press the power button on the back of the enclosure to turn it on. The LED indicators on the front will illuminate, indicating power and drive activity.

Figure 4.3: High Power Supply Connection

Figure 4.4: 10Gbps Transmission Speed Setup

5. Operating Instructions

5.1 Power On/Off

To power on the enclosure, press the power button located on the rear panel. To power off, press and hold the power button until the unit shuts down. Always ensure data transfer is complete before powering off.

5.2 Disk Management

The enclosure supports individual disk access and replacement. You can eject a single disk without interrupting the workflow of other disk slots, allowing for quick replacement and upgrade. This feature is particularly useful for flexible storage management and regular backup of important files.

5.3 Daisy-Chain Functionality

The ORICO 9958C3 enclosure supports daisy-chaining up to three devices, expanding your total storage capacity to 330TB. To daisy-chain, connect the 'Hub' USB-C port of the first enclosure to the 'Main' USB-C port of the second enclosure, and so on. This creates a cascaded storage system for massive data projects.

Figure 5.1: Daisy-Chain Expansion

5.4 Smart Sleep Mode

The enclosure features a Smart Sleep Mode that automatically enters hibernation after 10 minutes of data-free interaction. This reduces hard drive wear and power consumption, contributing to the longevity of your drives and energy efficiency.

Figure 5.2: Smart Sleep Mode

6. Maintenance

6.1 Heat Dissipation

The ORICO 9958C3 is designed with an aluminum alloy metal shell and an 80mm cooling fan. The front and rear heat dissipation airflow design effectively discharges heat, ensuring long-term stable and efficient operation, even under high load conditions. Regularly check that the fan vents are clear of obstructions to maintain optimal airflow.

Figure 6.1: Improved Heat Dissipation

6.2 Cleaning

To clean the enclosure, use a soft, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol sprays, as they may damage the device. Ensure the device is powered off and disconnected from all power sources before cleaning.

7. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your ORICO 9958C3 enclosure, please refer to the following common problems and solutions:

• Enclosure not recognized by computer:
  • Ensure the power cable is securely connected and the enclosure is powered on.
  • Verify the USB-C data cable is properly connected to both the enclosure and your computer. Try a different USB-C port on your computer.
  • Test with a different USB-C data cable to rule out cable issues.
  • Restart your computer.
• Hard drives not detected:
  • Ensure each hard drive is correctly seated in its tray and the tray is fully inserted into the enclosure.
  • Check the drive's health on another system if possible.
  • 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 using a USB 3.2 Gen 2 compatible port on your computer.
  • Verify the data cable supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds.
  • Performance can be affected by the type and speed of the installed hard drives (e.g., HDDs are slower than SSDs).
  • Close other applications that might be consuming system resources or bandwidth.
• Unusual noise from the enclosure:
  • Some noise is normal from spinning hard drives. Excessive or unusual noise may indicate a failing drive.
  • Ensure the enclosure is placed on a stable, flat surface to minimize vibrations.
  • Check that the cooling fan is not obstructed and is functioning correctly.

8. Warranty and Support

ORICO products come with a standard manufacturer's warranty. For detailed warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the warranty card included in your package or visit the official ORICO website. You can also contact ORICO customer service directly through their support channels.