USB 3.1 Dual 3.5” SATA (6Gbps) HDD Enclosure with RAID - USB-C and USB-A

Questions & Answers

Everything is hooked up, but nothing is working. What do I do?
When you troubleshoot issues with a hard drive enclosure, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue: Cables Hard drives Hard drive enclosure To test your setup components, try the following: Use the cables, hard drives, and hard drive enclosure in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup. Use a different cable, hard drive, and hard drive enclosure in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup. When you test the hard drive and hard drive enclosure, it is recommended that you do the following: To check Disk Management , press the Windows key + R , type diskmgmt.msc , and press Enter . Check to see if your hard drive is listed. If the hard drive is listed with unallocated space, the hard drive needs to be reformatted. Right-click unallocated and click New Simple Volume . Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reformatting.​ Note: Formatting a hard drive erases all of the data on it. Make sure that you back up all of your data before you reformat the hard drive.​ If the hard drive is listed as healthy but does not have a drive letter, for example, C:, right-click healthy and click Change Drive Letter and Paths . Click Add , assign a drive letter, and click OK . Note: A formatted hard drive will not show up in Computer or My Computer until it has a drive letter assigned to it.

How do I rebuild my RAID array?
In order to rebuild a RAID array, you need to replace a physical drive with an identical drive on the same RAID controller. Although standard RAID levels are generally agreed upon throughout the industry, the implementation varies between manufacturers. RAID arrays are typically not accessible when they are moved to another controller, and data may be unrecoverable if the drives are out of order or have been formatted or accessed by another RAID controller. If a RAID controller has failed, you should get the exact same model of RAID controller. Note: If a drive or drives were damaged, it is possible that the RAID array may be permanently unrecoverable. RAID should not be considered a replacement for backing up your data. If critical data is going onto a RAID array, you should back up the data on another physical drive or logical set of drives. Rebuild a RAID array With the following RAID modes, recovery is possible using the same StarTech.com product. Refer to the following table for the appropriate method to use to recover your RAID array. RAID mode Max # of failed drives Procedure RAID 1 Only one drive is needed for recovery. Determine which drive is operational by using the RAID management utility (if available) or test each drive individually on a different hard drive controller (for example, a hard drive docking station or SATA controller). Replace the failed drive with an identical hard drive. The array will rebuild and is accessible during the rebuilding process. RAID 3 Single drive failure will rebuild. Determine which drive is defective by using the RAID management utility (if available) or with diagnosis LEDs on the controller or enclosure. Replace with an identical hard drive. Note: Do not change the order of the drives. The array may be accessible during the rebuild, but you should let the controller rebuild without interruption so that performance is not compromised. RAID 5 Single drive failure will rebuild. Determine which drive is defective by using the RAID management utility (if available) or with diagnosis LEDs on the controller or enclosure. Replace with an identical hard drive. Note: Do not change the order of the drives. The array may be accessible during the rebuild, but you should let the controller rebuild without interruption so that performance is not compromised. RAID 10 Only one drive in a mirrored set can fail. Determine which drive is defective by using the RAID management utility (if available) or with diagnosis LEDs on the controller or enclosure. Replace with an identical hard drive. Note: Do not change the order of the drives. The array may be accessible during the rebuild, but you should let the controller rebuild without interruption so that performance is not compromised.

What do I do if I am not achieving USB 3.1 speeds with my USB 3.1 device?
If your setup components support USB 3.1 but you are experiencing slower transfer speeds than you expected, consider the following: A USB host connection with multiple USB 3.1 ports might not be able to support 10Gbps on each port simultaneously. The type of port on a device does not determine whether the device is capable of USB 3.1 speeds. A USB-C port might not support USB 3.1 speeds, while USB-A and USB-B ports might support USB 3.1 speeds. Any other devices that you include in your setup, such as an older hard drive in a USB 3.1 enclosure, might create a point of congestion and slow down transfer speeds. To confirm the functionality of your USB host connection, its ports, and any other devices in your setup, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer. Note : USB 3.1 is also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps). Devices that support USB 3.1 should have the USB 3.1 symbol on them. If the USB 3.1 symbol does not appear on your USB source or device, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer to confirm whether the USB source or device support USB 3.1.

How can I check if my USB device is properly detected by Mac OS?
To confirm that the Mac OS detects your USB device, complete the following: Click the Apple icon. Click About This Mac . Click More Info or System Report . Under the appropriate heading, confirm that your USB device is listed and that there isn't an error. For example, a network card would be under Ethernet Cards . You may need to refresh the System Information page after you plug in your device. To do so, press Command + R with the System Information page open. Your USB device is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your USB device, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

Do USB to SATA or NVMe adapters support TRIM on Windows, macOS, or Linux?
TRIM is supported on Windows only for select USB to SATA or USB to NVMe adapters. TRIM is not supported on macOS or Linux. Explanation: TRIM support for USB storage adapters is limited and depends on both the operating system and the specific product. On Windows, only select adapters support TRIM, and this capability is explicitly listed in the product’s Technical Specifications under the Performance section as “TRIM Support – Yes.” If this entry is not present, the product does not support TRIM. On macOS and Linux, TRIM is not supported for USB storage adapters due to operating system limitations in standard configurations. While some third‑party utilities on macOS or manual system modifications on Linux may enable TRIM in certain scenarios, these configurations are not supported. This limitation applies specifically to USB storage adapters and does not apply to SATA controller cards.

Will my hard drive work with this enclosure?
It depends. Your hard drive will work with this enclosure only if it matches the supported compatibility requirements. Explanation: Hard drive compatibility with this enclosure is determined by the specifications listed on the product page. Verify the following requirements: Storage capacity compatibility: The enclosure must support the hard drive’s capacity. Drives larger than the tested capacity may work but are not guaranteed. Interface compatibility: The hard drive must use the same interface as the enclosure (for example, SATA, IDE, or M.2). Form factor compatibility: The enclosure must support the hard drive’s physical size (such as 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch). Drive height compatibility: The enclosure must support the hard drive’s thickness (for example, 7 mm, 9 mm, or 15 mm). Power compatibility: The hard drive’s power consumption must not exceed the enclosure’s power output. For multi-drive enclosures, the total combined power consumption of all installed drives must remain within the enclosure’s power limits. All hard drive compatibility requirements can be confirmed in the Technical Specifications section of the product page.

What is RAID and What Are the Different RAID Modes?
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a storage technology that combines multiple physical drives into a single logical storage volume. Different RAID modes are designed to improve performance, provide data redundancy, or achieve both depending on the RAID level used. Explanation: RAID combines two or more physical storage drives into a single virtual disk or storage array. Depending on the RAID mode selected, RAID can: Increase storage performance Provide protection against drive failure Combine both performance and redundancy benefits RAID is commonly used in external storage enclosures, servers, workstations, and network storage systems. Not all StarTech.com storage devices support every RAID mode. Refer to the product manual or product page for the RAID modes supported by a specific device. Common RAID terminology includes: Striping: Data is divided and written across multiple drives to improve read and write performance. Mirroring: Identical copies of data are written to multiple drives to provide redundancy. Parity: Calculated data used to rebuild information if a drive fails. RAID does not replace regular data backups. Critical data stored on a RAID array should also be backed up to a separate storage device or backup system. RAID can help protect against hardware failure, but it does not protect against accidental deletion, file corruption, malware, or catastrophic system failure. Refer to the following table for the list of various RAID modes: RAID mode Description Operation Advantages Disadvantages Recovery RAID 0 Striped disks Data is split evenly between two or more disks. Large size and the fastest speed. No redundancy. If one or more drives fails, this results in array failure. RAID 1 Mirrored disks Two or more drives have identical data on them. A single drive failure will not result in data loss. Speed and size is limited by the slowest and smallest disk. Only one drive is needed for recovery. RAID 3 Striped set with dedicated parity Data is split evenly between two or more disks, plus a dedicated drive for parity storage. High speeds for sequential read/write operations. Poor performance for multiple simultaneous instructions. A single drive failure will rebuild. RAID 5 Striped disks with distributed parity Data is split evenly between three or more disks. Parity is split between disks. Large size, fast speed, and redundancy. The total array size is reduced by parity. A single drive failure will rebuild. RAID 10 1+0; Striped set of Mirrored Subset Four or more drives are made into two mirrors that are striped. Larger size and higher speed than RAID-1, and more redundancy than RAID-0. No parity. Only one drive in a mirrored set can fail. JBOD Just a Bunch Of Disks Any number of drives are accessed independently by the operating system. Software RAID modes can be used. Hardware RAID may have better performance. N/A Big Spanning or Concatenation Data is written on one drive until it is full, and then the next drive(s) until it or they are full. Creates a very large and simple array. No redundancy. N/A Clone RAID 1 + Spare Two drives have identical data, plus one drive is used for rebuilding in case of a primary array failure. Seamless operation when one drive fails in a RAID-1 array. Spare drive is not accessible to the user. Only one drive is needed for recovery.

What are the capabilities of USB 3.2 and USB4, and how do they differ from earlier USB standards?
USB 3.2 and USB4 are newer USB standards that provide higher data transfer speeds, improved bandwidth management, and expanded compatibility with modern devices and display technologies. USB 3.2 supports transfer speeds up to 20Gbps, while USB4 supports transfer speeds up to 40Gbps and adds advanced features such as Thunderbolt 3 compatibility on supported devices. Explanation: USB (Universal Serial Bus) standards have evolved over time to support faster data transfer speeds, increased power delivery, and improved compatibility across computers, storage devices, docking stations, displays, and peripherals. The USB naming convention has also changed over multiple revisions, which can cause confusion between older and current terminology. The following table summarizes common USB standards and updated naming conventions: Current USB Name Previous Naming Maximum Transfer Speed USB 2.0 USB 2.0 480Mbps USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB 3.0 / USB 3.1 Gen 1 5Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB 3.1 / USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps USB4 USB4 20Gbps Up to 20Gbps USB4 USB4 40Gbps Up to 40Gbps USB4 Version 2.0 Up to 80 Gbps (or asymmetric 120 Gbps) USB4 version 2.0 devices can support even higher bandwidths up to 80Gbps or 120Gbps in specific asymmetric configurations, depending on device support and certification. USB transfer performance depends on all connected components supporting the same standard, including: Host computer or controller USB cable Connected device or peripheral Adapters or docking stations in the connection path USB connector types and USB standards are separate specifications. For example: USB-C is a connector type. USB 3.2 and USB4 are performance and protocol standards. A USB-C connector can support different USB standards depending on the device design. USB4 introduces additional capabilities beyond raw transfer speed, including: Dynamic bandwidth allocation for video and data Support for multiple display protocols Compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 devices on supported hardware Improved tunneling for PCIe and DisplayPort traffic USB standards are generally backward compatible, but some limitations apply: USB-C ports require adapters to connect to USB-A or USB-B devices. USB 3.x and USB4 devices connected to older USB ports operate at the lower supported speed. Devices requiring higher power delivery or bandwidth may not function correctly on older USB standards. USB-B SuperSpeed connectors are not physically compatible with USB 2.0 USB-B ports. For maximum performance and compatibility, verify that the host device, cable, and peripheral all support the same USB standard and required feature set.

What is required to transfer data at USB 10Gbps speeds?
To achieve USB 10Gbps data transfer speeds, all components in the connection must support USB 10Gbps performance, including the host port, USB cable, connected device, and any internal subcomponents. Explanation: USB 10Gbps performance requires end-to-end support across the entire connection path, including: The USB host port on the computer or docking station The USB cable The connected USB device Any internal components that affect data throughput, such as storage drives inside a hard drive docking station USB 10Gbps is the current USB-IF naming convention for the specification previously called USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2x1. If any component in the connection only supports lower USB performance levels, the entire connection will operate at the maximum speed supported by the slowest component. To confirm compatibility, check the technical specifications for the USB host port, cable, and connected device. Some devices may display USB SuperSpeed 10Gbps branding or equivalent USB 10Gbps markings.

Does the included USB cable support USB 10Gbps data transfer speeds?
Yes. The included USB cable has been tested and verified to support USB 10Gbps data transfer speeds. Explanation: The included USB cable is validated to operate at USB 10Gbps performance levels when connected to compatible USB host ports and devices. USB 10Gbps is the current USB-IF naming convention for the specification previously referred to as USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2x1. Actual transfer speeds depend on the capabilities of the connected host device, USB peripherals, and the overall system configuration.

What DC barrel connector power plug types do StarTech.com products use, and what are their dimensions?
StarTech.com DC barrel connector plug types are defined in the “Plug Type” field of the technical specifications, using a letter code that specifies the connector’s outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID) in millimeters for power adapter compatibility. Explanation: In StarTech.com technical specifications, the “Plug Type” field is a standardized identifier for the exact DC barrel connector size required to power a product. Each plug type is assigned a letter code that corresponds to a specific combination of outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID), measured in millimeters. Common DC barrel plug type dimensions Plug Type OD ID A 2.35 mm 0.7 mm B 4.0 mm 1.7 mm C 4.75 mm 1.7 mm H 3.4 mm 1.3 mm L 5.0 mm 2.5 mm M 5.5 mm 2.1 mm N 5.5 mm 2.5 mm The DC barrel connector plug type must match both the outer diameter and inner diameter exactly. A mismatch between the StarTech.com product requirement and the power adapter connector can prevent proper fit or stable power delivery, which may result in device startup failure or intermittent operation. The plug type defines only the physical connector size. The plug type does not define electrical power requirements such as voltage, current, or polarity. The power adapter used with a StarTech.com product must match the product’s specified electrical requirements. Using an incompatible power adapter can cause device malfunction or permanent damage. This standardized DC barrel connector plug type system enables IT professionals and procurement teams to verify connector dimensions, ensure power adapter compatibility, standardize hardware deployments, and identify the correct replacement power supply for StarTech.com products.

How do I initialize a brand new hard drive in Windows or Mac OS?
Windows 10 Before you can access a new or formatted drive in your operating system, you need to initialize it first and then create a partition on the drive. A partition defines an area of the drive to use for storing data. The partition uses a file system (for example, ex-FAT, NTFS, and so on). Initialize a drive Note: You typically only need to initialize a drive if the drive is new. If you cannot find an uninitialized drive in Disk Management, skip the following steps and try to partition your device. Press the Windows key + R , type compmgmt.msc , and click Run to open Computer Management . Navigate to Disk Management . When prompted to, initialize your disk(s). If you are running Windows ® 7 or later and are using a drive larger than 2TB, initialize the disk(s) with GPT. If you are running an earlier version of Windows, initialize the disk(s) with MBR. For more information, visit the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/en-us/support/faqs/technical?topic=harddrives#mbr-vs-gpt . Click OK . Create a partition in a drive Note: The following steps create an NTFS partition that uses the entire drive space. To use a different file system, select a different option in step 6. Right-click Unallocated or RAW volume , and select New Simple Volume . In the New Partition Wizard , click Next . Select Primary partition . Leave the partition size set to default , and click Next . Assign a drive letter or leave it set to the default, and click Next . Enter the following settings to format the partition: In the File System field, enter NTFS . Set the Allocation unit size to Default . In the Volume label field, enter < your name/reference >. Select the Perform a quick format check box. Clear the Enable file and folder compression check box. Click Next > Finish . The new drive should appear in Windows Explorer. Mac OS Before you can access a new or formatted drive in your operating system, you need to initialize it first and then create a partition on the drive. A partition defines an area of the drive to use for storing data. The partition uses a file system (for example, HFS+, ex-FAT, NTFS, and so on). Initialize a drive Mac OSX detects a drive that needs to be initialized and automatically prompts you to initialize the drive. If you are prompted to initialize the drive, click Initialize . If you are not prompted to initialize the drive and you cannot find the drive in Finder , you will need to create a partition on the drive. Create a partition on a drive Note: The following steps create an HFS+ (Mac OS Extended (Journaled)) partition that uses the entire drive space. To create a partition on a new drive, complete the following: Open Finder . Navigate to Applications and click Utilities . Open Disk Utility . Select the new drive and click the Partition tab. Click Options and verify that it is set to GUID Partition Table . Enter a name for the partition. Click Partition . The drive should now be accessible in Finder. For products related to this article, click here .

What is the difference between initializing, partitioning, and formatting a hard drive?
A hard drive needs to be initialized by the operating system before it can be used. The process of initializing the hard drive involves setting the partition style; this will define how the hard drive will store the partition information so that the operating system knows which sectors belong to each partition, and which partition is bootable. The options are MBR (Master Boot Record), and GPT (GUID Partition Table), with GPT being used more commonly with newer, larger capacity hard drives. A hard drive needs to be partitioned so that the operating system knows how the data on the hard drive will be arranged. It is common to create one large partition on a hard drive for all of the data (often identified as C: ). You can create multiple partitions on a hard drive, and each will be assigned a drive letter in Windows or a name in Mac OS. Formatting a hard drive is necessary to apply a file system. A file system is used to control how data is stored and retrieved. In Windows, the most commonly used file system is NTFS, and for Mac OS it is Mac OS Extended (also referred to as HFS Plus). Note: Formatting a hard drive will erase all data on the hard drive. Make sure you have any data backed up before continuing.

How do I format a hard drive?
Note: Formatting a hard drive will erase all data on the hard drive. Make sure you have any data backed up before continuing. Windows A hard drive can be formatted in Windows using Disk Management. To open Disk Management, complete the following: Windows 8 and 10 Right-click the Windows icon . Click Disk Management . Windows 7 Click Start . Right-click Computer . Click Manage . Click Disk Management . In Disk Management, if the connected hard drive is not yet partitioned, it will show up with solid black bars and the label “Unallocated”. For more information on how to partition a hard drive and why you may want to, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/hard-drives-general-partition . If the hard drive has already been partitioned but not formatted, it will show up in Disk Management with a blue bar, but without a file system associated. To format a hard drive, complete the following: Right-click on the blue bar . Select Format . Enter a name for the partition under Volume Label . Under File System , choose your preferred option. Note: If you are unsure which option to choose, NTFS is commonly used. Click OK . Mac OS A hard drive can be formatted with the Mac OS Extended file system by using Disk Utility. To format the hard drive, complete the following: Click Finder . Click Applications . Click Utilities . On the left side of the window, click the drive name. Click Erase . Click Mac OS Extended (Journaled) under Format . Enter a name for the drive. Click Erase . Click Erase again to confirm.

How do I assign or change a drive letter in Windows?
A drive letter can be assigned or changed in Windows using Disk Management. To open Disk Management, complete the following: Windows 8 and 10 Right-click the Windows icon . Click Disk Management . Windows 7 Click Start . Right-click Computer . Click Manage . Click Disk Management . To assign a drive letter in Disk Management, complete the following: Right-click the drive you would like to change. Click Change Drive Letter and Paths . Click Add . Click the letter you want to use. Click OK . To change a driver letter in Disk Management, complete the following: Right-click the drive you would like to change. Click Change Drive Letter and Paths . Click Change . Click Assign the following drive letter . Click the letter you want to use. Click OK .

How do I rename my hard drive in Mac OS?
To rename a hard drive in Mac OS, complete the following: Click Finder . Under Devices , click on the hard drive. Below the icon of the hard drive, click and hold on the name of the hard drive, until a field opens. Enter the new name for the hard drive. Press Return .

What is ATAPI?
Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface (ATAPI) is a protocol that allows a greater variety of devices to be connected to a computer than ATA (PATA / IDE and SATA) on its own would allow. ATAPI allows IDE and SATA controllers to support optical drives. ATA on its own doesn't allow for specific functions required by optical drives, such as a "media eject" command or a way for the controller to determine whether media is present in the optical drive. Optical drives include CD-ROM drives, DVD-ROM drives, and Blu-ray players.