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how can I troubleshoot an ineo SSD/HDD clone docking station with unresponsive LED lights?

GMartin
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Last Modified: 2020-03-15
Hello and Good Afternoon Everyone,

          I have an ineo SSD/HDD clone docking station which is not working properly.  As per the instructions of cloning, the documentation indicates to press the Copy button on the front panel and hold it in until all 4 LED lights are blinking green.  Unfortunately, none of the 4 LED lights ever come on.  In addition, the lights for Source and Target which correspond to their respective slots come on only when the power chord is wiggled some.  I have reached out to the company, ineo, regarding this technical issue a few days ago, but, have not received any response.  That said, does anyone have any troubleshooting ideas which might help in getting the 4 LED lights (the ones corresponding to 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% complete) when pressing in the Copy button?  If not, could someone personally recommend an equivalent SSD/HDD clone docking station which is not manufactured by ineo?  

          Any feedback given here will be greatly appreciated.  I am anxious to get my 500 GB laptop hard drive cloned to my 1 TB drive because it is gradually running out of space.  Just in case it is needed for further technical review, here is an Amazon link to what I have https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073W4YDFQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

          Thank you in advance for any help given.

          George
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David Johnson, CDSimple Geek from the '70s
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Commented:
is the usb connector unplugged? It must be.
Dr. KlahnPrincipal Software Engineer
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Commented:
Well ...

If this is like most docking stations, the button on the docking station only works when the manufacturer's software is installed on the host PC -- so that is a couple of potential problems right there.  First, that the software must be installed, and second, that there is no indication of whether the manufacturer's software is fit for purpose.  Proprietary software is probably not going to be as capable or as flexible as open-source software such as Clonezilla.

Another issue is that if you're cloning drives to serve as backup against viruses, they must be removed from the docking station so that there is an air gap between the system and the backups, because anything in the docking station is accessible by a virus.

It is not promising that the cable must be fiddled with.  That strongly suggests a problem in the hardware.

Rather than this proprietary solution I'd suggest buying a generic USB docking station and using Clonezilla (or whatever open source backup / cloning product you prefer).  They are available in both internal and stand-alone versions, and at $20 are not overly expensive.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=usb+disk+%28dock%2Cdocking%29+-case+-enclosure&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15&_odkw=usb+disk+dock

If this is a one-time deal, connect the target drive to one of the empty SATA connectors on the system motherboard, boot up Clonezilla, clone the drive and you're done.  Total cost, $1 for a SATA data cable.  On a laptop that is not possible (no MB connectors), so a SATA drive cloning kit (less than $10 on the fleabay) will be needed instead.
GMartin

Author

Commented:
Hi David and Dr. Klahn,

          David, I did not have the USB connector plugged in when attempting the cloning from the Source drive to the Target drive.  I basically removed the 500 GB drive, inserted it into the Source slot of the cloning device, and inserted the blank 1 TB drive into the Target slot, powered on the cloning machine and pressed Copy.  Unfortunately, none of the LED lights responded as expected.  Should I had left the Source drive in the laptop, connected the laptop to cloning machine via USB, inserted the 1 TB drive into the Target slot, powered it on, then press Copy?  

           Dr. Klahn, the cloning device did not come with any software.  To be perfectly honest, I did not think it would require any.  I thought it would simply clone the source drive onto the target or blank drive independent of any hookup to the laptop and independent of any cloning software.  However, I am starting to think that maybe I am not following the proper steps.

           In closing, I am attaching a scanned copy of the instructions so we can collaboratively review and discuss it.  Hopefully, it will contain some information that will prove helpful in resolving this concern.

           Thanks in advance for any further follow up given here.

            George
instructions-for-ineo-cloning-device.pdf
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Commented:
You shouldn't need any software or USB connection with that device when used as you describe (as a copier, not as a docking station).  I have a similar unit that has served me well for copying, though I've rarely used it as a docking station: https://www.startech.com/support/SATDOCK22RE .  I think I paid about $40 for it, but it appears that only more expensive versions are available now.

I drop the two drives in, plug in the power supply, hit the power button, then press and hold the PC/Copy button until the light changes from blue to red.  With a press on the Start button, the copying process starts.

This sounds very similar to how your should be working.  The intermittent problem with the power connector as well as the issues with how the buttons respond imply to me that the unit is defective.
nobus
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Commented:
i would start by measuring the power output of the AC adpter; the fact that you see no lights suggest that it receives no power.
you could try with another AC adapter with the same voltage ( probably it requires a 1 or2 A current)
you can post the specs of your power adapter if you wish

check also if there is no power button  that must be pushed
GMartin

Author

Commented:
CompProbSolv

           With respect to your suggested unit at https://www.startech.com/support/SATDOCK22RE could you perhaps provide an Amazon online purchase link for it?  This unit is exactly what I have in mind.  And, with your personal endorsement, I am confident I will be more pleased with it as compared to this ineo cloning device.

            Thank you

            George
nobus
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Commented:
Geeorge, did you verify the power? it can be  a bad contact or fuse
David Johnson, CDSimple Geek from the '70s
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Commented:
startech doc on amazon Amazon Link
CompProbSolv
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Commented:
CompProbSolv
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Commented:
As far as the power supply goes, my device has a multi-pin power connector.  It's not clear what the proper voltages should be.

Are you able to return the unit you purchased?  One that is working properly should do the job.
GMartin

Author

Commented:
I have not verified whether the power adapter is the culprit.  I do have a digital voltmeter.  How may I use this to test the power adapter?

With respect to returning the unit, the company, ineo, will not respond to my emails.  I bought this unit two years ago on Amazon with this being the first time ever using it.  Everything was in its original packaging and box.

George
nobus
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Commented:
post a picture of the power unit sticker,( so we can read the specs) showing the connector
GMartin

Author

Commented:
Hello and Good Evening Everyone,

          Thank you, everyone, for offering your insightful and well-thought-out suggestions in addition to the helpful links.  All of the suggestions brought forth certainly did make sense and could easily tie into resolving this issue.  After careful consideration, though, I have decided to start over by buying a Wavlink cloning device at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019DNBU7G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1  in addition to using this YouTube tutorial at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcDEw05_XPA as a guidance tool for carrying out the cloning.   Due to the fact that the LED lights would never cut on despite carefully adhering to the instructions in addition to the manufacturer's unresponsiveness to emails sent, I no longer feel comfortable trying to get this unit to work.  Most likely it is defective.  

          Thanks again everyone for your help.

          George
CompProbSolv
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Commented:
You are welcome.

That device looks like it will do the trick and the price is very reasonable.  It's a very handy item to have on hand.  It's nice to be able to duplicate a drive before doing serious work on it to ensure that you can always get back to where you started.  I use mine fairly frequently.