ORICO 2-Bay 3.5-inch HDD RAID Enclosure User Manual

1. Product Overview

The ORICO 9828RU3 is a high-performance 2-bay external hard drive enclosure designed for 3.5-inch SATA HDDs. It features flexible RAID modes (RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, and CLEAR) to meet diverse data storage and security needs. Constructed from durable aluminum alloy, it ensures efficient heat dissipation and reliable operation. With USB 3.0 connectivity, it offers high-speed data transfer for large files and high-resolution media.

Figure 1: Front view of the ORICO 2-Bay 3.5-inch HDD RAID Enclosure.

2. Package Contents

Please verify that all items are present in the package:

• ORICO 2-Bay 3.5-inch HDD RAID Enclosure (9828RU3)
• USB A-USB B Data Cable
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• User Manual
• Power Cord

3. Key Features

• Flexible RAID Mode Management: Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, and CLEAR modes. This allows for dual data backup, enhanced data security, and caters to various individual user requirements. It is recommended to back up data before switching modes.


Figure 2: Overview of supported RAID modes and rear panel controls.

• Maximum Storage Capacity of 44TB: Supports 3.5-inch SATA disks. Each disk can hold up to 22TB, providing a total storage space of up to 44TB when fully utilized. This easily meets the storage needs for large-scale engineering projects, high-resolution video footage, and other massive data.


Figure 3: The enclosure supports up to 44TB of storage, ideal for large files.

• Excellent Heat Dissipation Performance: Designed with ventilation holes on both the front and back, and a built-in 50mm silent cooling fan. This design improves internal airflow within the RAID enclosure, while the aluminum alloy body effectively accelerates heat dissipation.


Figure 4: Internal cooling fan and aluminum alloy shell for optimal heat management.

• High-Speed Data Transfer: The USB 3.0 interface of this 3.5-inch HDD enclosure is fully compatible with SATA 6Gbps specifications, achieving actual transfer speeds of up to 235MB/s. This allows for easy processing of large file transfers and high-resolution data storage.


Figure 5: High-speed 5Gbps data transfer via USB 3.0.

• Secure Protection: The HDD RAID enclosure features a tool-free design for quick disassembly and assembly. It is equipped with an independent safety lock mechanism to effectively prevent accidental ejection or loss of hard disks, ensuring data security.


Figure 6: Safety lock design prevents accidental drive removal.

• Intelligent Sleep Function: If left unused for 10 minutes, the enclosure automatically enters sleep mode, extending the lifespan of the hard drives.
• LED Light Design: Each tray is equipped with an LED indicator light, allowing you to check the operating status at any time.

4. Setup Guide

4.1. Hard Drive Installation

1. Ensure the enclosure is powered off and disconnected from your computer.
2. Unlock the drive bay door using the provided key.
3. Gently pull the drive tray out.
4. Insert your 3.5-inch SATA HDD into the tray, ensuring the SATA connectors align correctly. Secure the HDD to the tray using the provided screws.
5. Slide the tray back into the enclosure until it clicks into place.
6. Lock the drive bay door.
7. Repeat for the second drive if applicable.

4.2. Connecting to Your Computer

1. Connect the power adapter to the enclosure's DC IN port and then to a power outlet.


Figure 7: Connect the 12V4A power adapter to the enclosure.

2. Connect one end of the USB 3.0 data cable to the enclosure's USB 3.0 port and the other end to an available USB 3.0 port on your computer.
3. Press the power button on the enclosure to turn it on. The LED indicators for the installed drives should light up.

5. RAID Configuration

The ORICO 9828RU3 supports four RAID modes: RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, and CLEAR. The RAID mode is set using DIP switches located on the rear of the enclosure. Always back up your data before changing RAID modes, as this process will erase all data on the drives.

5.1. Setting RAID Modes

1. Ensure the enclosure is powered off and disconnected from your computer.
2. Locate the DIP switches on the rear panel of the enclosure.
3. Refer to the table below and the diagram on the enclosure to set the switches to the desired RAID mode.
4. After setting the DIP switches, press and hold the 'SET' button for 3-5 seconds until the LED indicators flash, then release. This confirms the new RAID mode.
5. Connect the enclosure to your computer and power it on.
6. Initialize and format the drives through your operating system's Disk Management utility (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS) before use.

5.2. RAID Mode Descriptions

Note: RAID combinations are based on the minimum capacity of hard drives. Please use hard drives of the same capacity.

6. Operation

6.1. Disk Initialization and Formatting

After installing new hard drives and setting the RAID mode, the drives must be initialized and formatted before they can be used. This process varies slightly depending on your operating system.

Windows:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select 'Disk Management'.
2. You should see the new disk(s) listed as 'Unknown' or 'Not Initialized'. Right-click on the disk and select 'Initialize Disk'.
3. Choose MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table) as the partition style. For disks larger than 2TB, GPT is recommended. Click 'OK'.
4. Right-click on the 'Unallocated' space on the initialized disk and select 'New Simple Volume'.
5. Follow the New Simple Volume Wizard to assign a drive letter and format the volume (NTFS is recommended).

macOS:

1. Open 'Disk Utility' from Applications > Utilities.
2. Select the ORICO enclosure's disk from the sidebar.
3. Click 'Erase' from the toolbar.
4. Choose a Name, Format (e.g., APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled)), and Scheme (GUID Partition Map is recommended). Click 'Erase'.

6.2. Data Transfer

Once initialized and formatted, the enclosure will appear as a regular drive on your computer. You can drag and drop files, copy and paste, or use any file management software to transfer data to and from the enclosure.

6.3. Ejecting the Enclosure

Always safely eject the enclosure before disconnecting it from your computer or powering it off to prevent data corruption.

• Windows: Click the 'Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media' icon in the system tray, then select the ORICO enclosure.
• macOS: Drag the drive icon from your desktop to the Trash, or click the Eject button next to the drive in Finder.

7. Maintenance

• Keep the enclosure in a clean, dry environment, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
• Ensure proper ventilation around the enclosure to allow the cooling fan to operate effectively.
• Clean the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosols.
• Regularly back up important data to another location, especially if not using RAID 1.

8. Troubleshooting

If the problem persists after trying these solutions, please contact ORICO customer support.

9. Technical Specifications

10. Compatibility

The ORICO 9828RU3 enclosure is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and hard drive types:

10.1. Supported Operating Systems

• Windows (Desktop, Laptop)
• macOS
• Linux
• Android (via OTG for compatible devices)

10.2. Supported 3.5" HDD Types

• Standard HDDs
• Enterprise Disks
• NAS Disks
• Surveillance Disks
• Gaming Disks

Figure 8: Broad compatibility with various operating systems and 3.5-inch HDD types.

11. Warranty and Support

ORICO products typically come with a standard manufacturer's warranty. Please refer to the warranty card included in your package or visit the official ORICO website for detailed warranty terms and conditions. For technical support, troubleshooting assistance, or warranty claims, please contact ORICO customer service through their official channels.