fantec MB-X2U31R 3.5 Inch Hard Drives Instruction Manual

FANTEC MB-X2U31R
Manual

2x 3,5“/2,5“ SATA HDD/SSD USB3.1 Generation II*
Typ-C 10G Technologie*
2,5“ SSD/HDD only together with optional accessory „FANTEC MB-Bracket 25“ (Art.No.:2534).**

Informations

Operating systems
Windows 10, 32/64bit and higher
Mac OS 12.1 and higher
Working enviroment
Temperature 5°C ~ 55°C Humidity 20% ~ 80%
USB 3.1 Typ-C port
USB 3.1 Typ-C connector, Gen II up to 10 Gbit/s
USB 2.0/3.0 compatible
a suitable cable with type-A connector is included in the scope of delivery.
Fan
The perforated front doors together with the 40mm fan, provide optimal cooling.
2,5“ SDD/HDD
2,5“ SSD/HDD only together with optional accessories: „FANTEC MB-Bracket 25“ (Art.No.:2534).

Instructions

• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use the device in the immediate vicinity of water.
• Clean the device with a soft dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation openings.
• Carry out the installation according to these instructions.
• Do not operate the unit in the immediate vicinity of heat sources such as heaters, or other devices that emit heat.
• Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be walked on or pinched, and do not place heavy objects on or near the power cord.
• Use only accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
• Contact our service team if the unit, power cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the unit, or the unit does not operate normally or has been dropped.
• Do not shake the device or drop it.
• Do not move the device during operation.
• Do not pull the power plug out of the socket by the cable.
• Before you switch off the device or turn off a hard disk or disconnect the USB cable, make sure that affected partitions are no longer actively used by your operating system. Perform a so-called „unmounting“ or „unmounting“ („eject“).

Front and Back

Explanation

Description – Front

1. Status LED for each hard disk:
   lights up Blue:| hard disk is switched on and active
   ---|---
   flashing Blue:| hard disk being accessed
   LED is off:| the hard disk is switched off, or the USB cable is disconnected.
   The hard disk is switched on  but inactive: e.g. in standby or after „Safely Remove Hardware“, or if the hard  disk is in a energy “ sleep mode“.
   LED is red:| Hard disk has failed (RAID1) and must be replaced.
   flashes slowly Blue:| RAID1 is in Rebuild state.
2. possibility to lock for each hard disk.
3. perforated door handle for each front door for each hard drive
4. slide-in for each hard disk

Description – Back

1. Kensington Lock
2. 12V power supply
3. SET button RAID Mode
4. RAID MODE switch
5. 40mm Fan
6. USB-C connector
7. central power switch

Installation

1. Connect the power cable and turn on the power. Plug in the USB cable and connect the other end of the cable to your PC.
2. Unlock the door and pull the door handle, to open the slide-in module.
3. Open the door.
4. Slide the hard drives into the enclosure.
5. Close the door.
6. To remove the hard disk, execute the action „Safely remove hardware“ in your operating system, switch off the case at the back, open the door and remove the hard disk again.

RAID Mode – SETUP

SETUP
SINGLE MODE
The MB-X2U31R offers four different modes:

• the RAID modes RAID1, RAID0 Striping and RAID0 Spanning (BIG),
• the SINGLE mode.

In this manual the SINGLE MODE is described. If you want to use RAID1 or RAID0, please refer to the PDF manual. You can find it on our homepage. Search for the text „MB-X2“ in the search mask and then look under „Download“ on the product information page.
In SINGLE-MODE mode you can access the two hard disks without RAID technology. We describe the way how to set the enclosure into the SINGLE-MODE.
Important notes beforehand:

• Always create a backup of important data.
• Do not put hard disks into the enclosure if there is important data on the hard disks that you have not backed up. If you make a mistake when setting the enclosure and accidentally activate a RAID, the partition tables of the hard disks will be overwritten according to the setting and your data will be lost.
• Do not change the RAID mode (switch 4) if you have not previously backed up important data on the hard disks.
• Do not press the recessed button (3) on the rear panel if you have not previously backed up important data on the hard drives.

1. Switch off the case and start the disk management on your PC.
2. Set the switch (4) on the rear panel to the „SINGLE“ position: both switches are facing up.
3. Insert one or two hard disks, connect the case to a PC and switch on the case.
4. Press the recessed button (3) on the rear panel for 3 seconds. After a few seconds, additional disks will appear in Disk Management.

• If you had data on the hard drive(s), the data should now be accessible.
• If your disks are new and do not yet contain a file system, they must be prepared for use. Please read point 6.
• If your hard disks are new and you get a so-called „drive letter“ after switching on under Windows, formatting is actually not necessary. Point 6 is then superfluous for you.
• If you reach existing data after switching on under Windows again, point 6 is also superfluous for you.
• If there are already data on the hard disks, but you do not see them do not go through the steps under point 6, otherwise your data will be lost. In this case the MB enclosure cannot reach the data. Switch off the enclosure again and remove the hard disks. If you are not sure how to handle different PC systems, please contact our service. We will gladly explain the connections to you.

Initialize and format hard disks

Microsoft Windows
If you are using unformatted hard disks, they must first be initialized. To do this, tap the Windows key on your keyboard and type „diskmgmt.msc“ (without quotes).
Then press the „ENTER“ key.

1. Initialize the new hard disk
2. Create a new partition and format the hard drive
3. Hard disk is formatted.

MBR or GPT mode
Important: Please use GPT if the hard disk has a capacity over 2TB.
Use MBR if the hard disk capacity is max. 2TB.
Selected MBR mode for hard disk below 2TB

Selected GPT mode for hard disk over 2TB

MAC OS X 10.13 or above

1. start the „Disk Utility“.
2. Initialize hard disk
3. Click Delete > select details and press Delete.
4. Hard disk being formatted.
5. Hard disk ready formatted.

Problem handling

If the inserted hard drive does not turn on, check if the power cable is plugged in properly and the central power switch is turned on.
If the USB connection is not established, check if the USB cable is plugged in.
If your USB is causing problems:
USB3 drivers that come with the installation of an operating system are often not optimally matched to your motherboard. If a USB connection does not work to your satisfaction, install the correct USB3 drivers.
You can usually find them on the homepage of the manufacturer of your mainboard, matching your operating system. If you don‘t find the USB3 drivers listed, install all drivers that the manufacturer provides for your mainboard, matching your operating system.
If you use a PC card for your USB: please use the drivers of the manufacturer of the PC card, suitable for your operating system.
The standby behavior of hard disks is usually controlled by the operating system. Often in the advanced energy-saving options. If the hard disks switch off unusually quickly, check the settings there. PCs that use an SSD switch it off quite quickly to save energy. This shutdown of data carriers affects all connected hard disks in many operating systems and can have a disruptive effect. Switch off these techniques to find sources of error and correct the settings to a sensible time.
Some PCs use energy saving techniques on the USB interface. Especially devices with rechargeable batteries like to save energy, but this can have a disturbing effect. Often you can find hints about this in the energy saving options. Switch off these techniques first to find the source of errors. Then switch the techniques back on step by step. Or please ask your PC manufacturer‘s service if a USB interface switches off unusually often and thus disturbs the operation of a USB multiple hard disk enclosure.

To prevent data loss:

• Do not disconnect a USB cable until you have first performed a so-called „unmounting“, „remove hard ware safely“, „eject“ or „unmount partition“. This process is called something different for each  operating system.
• Back up important data regularly so that important data is present at least twice.
• Only use the case when everything is working to your satisfaction. Drivers can be changed by software updates and unstable USB connections can lead to data loss. Respond to changes in your operating  system in a timely manner.

The case is a removable disk from Windows‘ point of view. As soon as you have performed the action „Safely remove hardware“, the hard disk is removed from the file system by your operating system and switched to inactive. The LEDs and the hard disks switch off. If you want to use the case again, you have to turn it off and on again via the switch at the back. Or unplug the USB cable and plug it back in. Just like you would do with other removable media (e.g. a USB stick) under Windows.

Address for RMA shipments:

FANTEC GmbH

Department RMA/Service

Billwerder Billdeich 605B

21033 Hamburg
Declaration of Conformity:
Herewith we declare that the article is in conformity with the provisions of the RL 1999/EG
http://www.fantec.de/unternehmen/bestimmungenrichtlinien/ce/
Typing errors, mistakes and changes reserved. Illustrations similar
FANTEC GmbH, 2023 – All rights reserved.

References

• art.no
• CE

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