How to prepare a New Storage, Hard Drive, or SSD for use with a system? [#33406]
There are two set of instruction. One for Windows OS and another for OS X. Please use the right set of instruction for your System.
>>>>>> 1) Preparing a new hard drive for use with Windows 7/8/10 OS <<<<<<
NOTE: If you have important data on this drive, DO NOT go any further, please backup your data before you continue. These steps will erase ALL your data on the drive.
For Windows 7, hold the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press “R” (Winkey+R). This will launch the Run the utility. Type “diskmgmt.msc” inside the text box and press Enter. This will open the Windows Disk Management utility. This is where you can format, create, and delete hard drive partitions.
For Windows 8/8.1/10, hold the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press “X” (Winkey+X). This will launch a popup window and select disk management.
Usually, the Initialize Disk Wizard will appear automatically when you open Disk Management. If you have more than one blank drive that needs to be initialized it will list them. Make sure that there is a check in the box of the drive that needs to be initialized, select check MBR if your hard drive is smaller than 2TB, if it is greater than 2TB, please check GPT and then left-click on the Ok button. If the wizard does show up, go to step 5. If the wizard does not show up, please see the note and additional images directly below.
Critical: If your hard drive is greater than 2TB in capacity, you need to use check GPT(GUID Partition Table), if it is smaller, select MBR.
Note: If you do not see the Initialize Disk wizard, manually start the initialization. The drive that needs to be initialized should have a little circle with a red arrow pointing down like in the image below.
When you find it. Right-click on the red arrow and choose Initialize Disk.
There are two mode of initializing a new drive using MBR or GPT. If your hard drive is greater than 2TB, you need to use check GPT, if it is smaller, select MBR.
The drive is now initialized. The disk should have a black bar and say that it is Unallocated. You should now be able to create a partition and format the hard drive.
Now right click the unallocated space and click create a New Simple Volume shown below:
Follow the on screen wizard by clicking Next
Specify your volume size, if you are not sure use the default, and now click Next
Assign a drive letter to the drive, if you are not sure use the default and click Next
Format the partition and name the volume, if you are not sure use the default
Now click Finish and it will start formatting the drive to get it ready for use.
Once the formatting is done, your system will report the presense of a new drive with an assigned drive letter. You can begin using the storage.
>>>>>> 2) Preparing a new hard drive for use with Apple OS X <<<<<<
CB-M2SAT-U3 Questions and Answer [#05232023]
Do I need to prep (initialize, partition, and format) a new drive before cloning?
New drives do not need to be prep (initialize, partition, and formatted) if you are cloning them. The Cloning process will copy exactly the info from the source drive.
If you are not cloning and using a new drive, you will need to prep the drive. For Windows OS use Disk Management, for OS X use Disk Utility. See this link here
Do I need to prep (initialize, partition, and format) a new drive before using the drive for Storage (NOT CLONING)?
If you are using this adapter for storage (NOT Clone), AND if the drives are NEW, you will need to prep the new drive before use. Please follow the FAQ on our website for help preparing (initialize, partition, and formatted) the drives. See this link here
There are three interfaces, why can’t I mount 3 drives?
The design of this adapter is for mounting only 2 drives. The M.2 SATA and Standard SATA interface is sharing the same signal; as a result, ONLY 2 drives are allowed to be mounted at one time.
Can I use this adapter as simple storage?
Yes, you can mount and it will see it as an individual drive letter or individual storage device.
Can I RAID them together?
Sorry, you cannot.
What capacity drive can I mount on this adapter?
As of this writing 05/23/2023, It is 16TB for M.2 NVMe and 22TB for Standard 2.5” or 3.5” SATA drive. We are constantly testing new and bigger capacity drives and will update the storage capacity as soon as it is tested. If you have a request, please write to support@vantecusa.com for question about capacity.
What are the LEDs on this adapter?
There are 7 LEDs on the adapter; here are the descriptions of the LEDs.
LEDs - 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%:
These are the status of the Standalone cloning. During the Standalone Cloning process, when it completed 25% of the sectors to sectors cloning, the 25% LED will stay solid. While 50%, 75%, and 100% will continue to flash. This will give you an indication of how much longer it is going to take to finish up to 100%.
LEDs - SATA, NVMe:
The SATA LED is for drive activity for the SATA drive, this can be the M.2 SATA or the 2.5” or 3.5” SATA drive. If there are any read or write operations, the LED will flash.
The NVMe LED is for drive activity for the M.2 NVMe drive. If there are any read or write operations, the LED will flash.
LED – Power:
This LED will be Red if power is connected to the wall outlet, but the power switch on the rear is NOT turned ON. It is safe to mount or dismount drives.
The LED will be White if power is connected to the wall outlet, and the power switch on the rear is turned ON. DO NOT mount or dismount drives since Power is ON, it is NOT Hot Swappable.
How to activate the Cloning process?
First set the CLONE switch (direction of the Cloning) correctly.
Second, Press and hold the CLONE BUTTON until the 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% LEDs start flashing (about 3 seconds), release the CLONE BUTTON, and press again immediately once to start cloning.
Can I use this adapter to perform a backup?
Yes, this adapter is very good for performing a backup of data from any one of the three storage Interfaces. You can also perform a backup from or to these mounted storage devices.
Do I need to add a heatsink for my M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe?
It is good to mount a heatsink on your M.2, they generally run hotter due to the high speed of M.2. We design the space around the M.2 NVMe with more space to accommodate a heatsink.
Can I mount my M.2 NVMe or M.2 SATA that already have a heatsink mounted on it?
Check your heatsink mounted M.2 module width, it is likely it will fit and mount correctly. We design the space around the M.2 NVMe with more space to accommodate a heatsink.
You mention this adapter will accommodate newer M.2 modules that support 25mm wide, how is that done?
The current M.2 module are all 22mm wide and the maximum length is 110mm (2242, 2260, 2280, 22110). There is a recent change in the specs for the wider 25mm module. That makes many M.2 enclosures unable to hold these new wider modules. We designed this into the adapter and you can grow with it. This adapter can accommodate M.2 sizes of 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110, 2542, 2560, NEW 2580, and 25110. The maximum M.2 size is 25x110mm.
Can I use the Standalone clone to Clone a Bigger drive to a smaller drive?
Sorry, that is not possible, the design of the Standalone clone is a sector to sector clone, it is not possible to clone more sectors to fewer sectors, but you can use software cloning, software cloning is based on data, not sectors, you will have more flexibility to adjust the cloning function like sizing Partition and cloning only the partition that you like.
Can I clone a boot drive?
Generally, yes, you can if you are using sector to sector or software clone.
Some problem with cloning a Boot drive is when you clone one drive that was linked to a motherboard chipset and clone to a boot drive that uses a PCIe bus to boot. You may have to do some changes to the booting to correct the problem. This is NOT a problem with this adapter cloning design, but everything with YOUR Boot device changing from booting via chipset to booting off PCIe. If you need further help, please write to support@vantecusa.com for more information.
What is the speed of the adapter?
This adapter is capable of USB 3.2 Gen2x1 (10Gbps), speed may vary due to different systems, USB Host, and devices.
Can this adapter be used as a Bus-powered device?
It cannot be used as a Bus-powered device because a 3.5” SATA drive requires 12VDC and that requires an ac adapter. This adapter comes with a good ac adapter that can power any 3.5" SATA drive.
What if I have more questions?
Please write to support@vantecusa.com for further questions and answers.