ICY Box IB-1233CL-C Dual Bay SATA HDD/SSD Cloning Station User Manual

Introduction

The ICY Box IB-1233CL-C is a versatile cloning station designed for managing and duplicating SATA 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). This device supports offline cloning, allowing you to duplicate drives without a computer connection. Additionally, it functions as an external drive dock via USB 3.0, offering integrated card reader slots for CF and SD cards, and an extra USB 3.0 hub port. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your cloning station.

What's in the Box

• ICY Box IB-1233CL-C Cloning Station with Card Reader
• Power Adapter
• USB 3.0 Cable
• User Manual

Key Features

• Dual Bay Design: Supports simultaneous use of one 2.5-inch and one 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD.
• Standalone Cloning: Perform offline cloning of drives without a computer.
• Integrated Card Reader: Features slots for CF and SD memory cards.
• USB 3.0 Hub: Includes an additional USB 3.0 Type-A port for connecting external devices.
• LED Status Indicators: Clear LEDs for power, drive access, and cloning progress (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%).
• Plug & Play: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems without driver installation.
• High-Speed Connectivity: USB 3.0 interface provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbit/s.

Setup

1. Connecting the Power Adapter

1. Connect the provided power adapter to the DC IN port on the back of the cloning station.
2. Plug the power adapter into a wall outlet. The power LED on the front panel should illuminate.

2. Inserting Drives

The IB-1233CL-C features two drive bays, labeled 'Source' and 'Target' for cloning, or simply 'HDD1' and 'HDD2' for data access.

• Gently slide your 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD into the appropriate bay until it is firmly seated. Ensure the SATA connectors align correctly.
• For 2.5-inch drives, ensure they are inserted into the smaller slot within the bay.

The ICY Box IB-1233CL-C cloning station shown with a 3.5-inch hard drive and a 2.5-inch solid-state drive inserted into its dual bays.

3. Connecting to a Computer (Optional, for Data Transfer Mode)

1. Connect one end of the supplied USB 3.0 cable to the USB 3.0 port on the back of the cloning station.
2. Connect the other end of the USB 3.0 cable to an available USB port on your computer.
3. Your operating system should automatically detect the drives.

This image visually confirms the cloning station's compatibility with major operating systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also includes a graphic representation of data transfer progress, demonstrating its function as an external drive enclosure.

Operating Instructions

1. Data Transfer Mode (Connected to PC)

When connected to a computer via USB, the IB-1233CL-C functions as a dual-bay external drive enclosure and a multi-card reader/USB hub.

• Ensure the cloning station is powered on and connected to your computer.
• Insert your SATA HDDs/SSDs into the bays.
• Insert CF or SD cards into the front slots.
• Connect USB devices to the front USB 3.0 port.
• The drives, cards, and connected USB devices will appear as removable storage in your operating system. You can now transfer files as you would with any external storage device.

The cloning station is positioned on a desk alongside a camera and lenses, illustrating its utility for media professionals. An SD card is partially inserted, and the USB port is visible, emphasizing its integrated card reader and USB hub capabilities.

2. Offline Cloning Mode (Standalone)

This function allows you to clone a source drive to a target drive without connecting to a computer.

1. Prepare Drives: Ensure both the source and target drives are clean and free of physical damage. The target drive must be equal to or larger in capacity than the source drive.
2. Insert Source Drive: Insert the drive you want to clone (Source Drive) into the bay labeled 'Source' (usually the upper bay or HDD1).
3. Insert Target Drive: Insert the drive you want to clone to (Target Drive) into the bay labeled 'Target' (usually the lower bay or HDD2).
4. Disconnect from PC: Ensure the USB cable is disconnected from the computer. The cloning station must be in standalone mode for offline cloning.
5. Start Cloning: Press and hold the 'Clone' button on the front panel for approximately 3-5 seconds until the cloning progress LEDs (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) begin to flash.
6. Monitor Progress: The LEDs will light up sequentially to indicate the cloning progress. Each LED represents 25% completion.
7. Cloning Complete: Once all four cloning progress LEDs (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) are solid, the cloning process is complete.
8. Power Off and Remove: Safely power off the cloning station before removing the drives.

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

A close-up view from above the cloning station, clearly showing the LED indicators. These LEDs provide visual feedback on the power status, drive activity, and the percentage completion of an offline cloning process.

Maintenance

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the device. Do not use liquid cleaners or solvents.
• Storage: Store the device in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
• Handling: Avoid dropping or subjecting the device to strong impacts.
• Ventilation: Ensure the ventilation openings are not blocked during operation to prevent overheating.

Troubleshooting

• Device not powering on:
  Solution: Ensure the power adapter is securely connected to both the device and a working wall outlet. Try a different outlet if necessary.
• Drives not detected by computer:
  Solution: Ensure the USB cable is firmly connected to both the cloning station and the computer. Try a different USB port on your computer or a different USB cable. Verify that the drives are properly seated in the bays. For new drives, they may need to be initialized and formatted in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS).
• Offline cloning fails or does not start:
  Solution: Ensure the USB cable is disconnected from the computer. Verify that the target drive's capacity is equal to or larger than the source drive's capacity. Ensure both drives are properly seated. Press and hold the 'Clone' button for the required duration (3-5 seconds) until LEDs flash.
• Slow data transfer speeds:
  Solution: Ensure you are using a USB 3.0 port on your computer and the provided USB 3.0 cable. USB 2.0 ports will result in slower speeds. The speed of the drives themselves can also affect transfer rates.
• Card reader not working:
  Solution: Ensure the memory card is inserted correctly and fully into the appropriate slot. Try a different memory card to rule out card issues.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

Specific warranty information for the ICY Box IB-1233CL-C is not provided in this manual. For detailed warranty terms, conditions, and technical support, please refer to the official ICY BOX website or contact your retailer. Keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims.