S251BRU31C3 - External hard drive StarTech.com - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	External Hard Drive Enclosure
Brand	StarTech.com
Model	S251BRU31C3
Form Factor	2.5"
Compatible Drives	SATA HDD/SSD up to 9.5mm height
Interface	USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) to SATA III
Data Transfer Rate	Up to 5 Gbps
Power Source	Bus-powered via USB
Material	ABS plastic
Color	Black
Dimensions (L x W x H)	140 x 80 x 15 mm
Weight	90 g
Hot-Swap Support	Yes
UASP Support	Yes
LED Indicator	Power and activity
Operating Systems	Windows, macOS, Linux
Included Cable	USB 3.0 Micro-B to Type-A
Installation	Tool-free, plug-and-play
Maintenance	Clean with dry cloth; avoid liquids
Safety	Keep away from moisture and heat
Reparability	No user-serviceable parts; replace drive only

Frequently Asked Questions - S251BRU31C3 StarTech.com

What type of drive does the S251BRU31C3 support?

It supports 2.5-inch SATA hard drives or SSDs with a height of up to 9.5 mm.

Does this enclosure require an external power adapter?

No, it is bus-powered via the USB cable. No external power adapter is needed.

What is the maximum data transfer speed?

USB 3.0 allows transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps. Actual speed depends on the drive and system.

Is the enclosure compatible with USB 2.0 ports?

Yes, it is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports, but speeds will be limited.

Why does my computer not recognize the drive?

Ensure the drive is properly inserted, the USB cable is securely connected, and the drive is formatted. For new drives, you may need to initialize and partition it in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac).

Does the enclosure support UASP?

Yes, the S251BRU31C3 supports UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) for improved performance when used with a compatible host.

Can I install the drive without tools?

Yes, the enclosure features a tool-free design. Simply slide the drive into place and secure the cover.

What does the LED indicator mean?

A steady light indicates power, and blinking indicates drive activity (read/write operations).

How do I clean the enclosure?

Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the exterior. Avoid liquids or abrasive cleaners.

Can I use this enclosure with an SSD?

Yes, it is fully compatible with 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, allowing for faster data access and portability.

USER MANUAL S251BRU31C3 StarTech.com

2.5" USB-C External Hard Drive Enclosure - Rugged - USB 3.1 (10Gbps)

S251BRU31C3

*actual product may vary from photos

For the latest information, technical specifications, and support for this product, please visit www.StarTech.com/S251BRU31C3.

FCC Compliance Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by StarTech.com could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Industry Canada Statement

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and Symbols

This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other protected names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to StarTech.com. Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent an endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an endorsement of the product(s) to which this manual applies by the third-party company in question. Regardless of any direct acknowledgement elsewhere in the body of this document, StarTech.com hereby acknowledges that all trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and other protected names and/or symbols contained in this manual and related documents are the property of their respective holders.

Table of Contents

Product diagram ....1

Package contents....2

Requirements 2

About USB 3.1 Gen 2....2

Install a drive....3

Connect the rugged enclosure ....4

Prepare a drive for use ....4

Windows OS....4

macOS....5

Remove a hard drive....6

Windows OS....6

macOS....6

Technical support....7

Warranty information....7

Product diagram

Package contents

• 1 x drive enclosure
• 1 x USB-C™ to USB-C cable
• 1 x USB-C to USB-A cable
• 1 x foam drive pad
• 1 x hex key
• 1 x quick-start guide

Requirements

• Computer system with a USB port
- 2.5" SSD or HDD

The S251BRU31C3 is OS independent and doesn't require any additional drivers or software.

To obtain the maximum USB throughput, you must use a system with a USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) port.

Requirements are subject to change. For the latest requirements, please visit www.StarTech.com/S251BRU31C3.

About USB 3.1 Gen 2

USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity standard offers speeds up to 10Gbps. The S251BRU31C3 is backwards compatible and supports USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps).

Install a drive

Warning! Drives should be handled carefully, especially when you transport them. If you're not careful with your drives, you may experience lost or corrupted data. Make sure that you're properly grounded by wearing an anti-static strap when you install any computer component. If an anti-static strap isn't available, touch a large, grounded metal surface for several seconds to discharge any built-up static electricity.

1. Remove the protective sleeve from the case by grasping a corner of the sleeve and peeling it off of the protective casing.
2. Open the latch on the protective casing.
3. Use the provided hex key to remove the six screws from the protective casing.
4. Pull the two sections of the protective casing apart.
5. Gently slide your drive into the corresponding SATA drive connectors in one half of the protective casing. The connector on your drive is keyed so that it only fits one way.
6. If you are installing a 7 mm drive, place the foam drive pad between the end of the drive and the protective casing.
7. Place the two sides of the protective casing together and close the latch.
8. Insert the six screws into the protective casing and use the hex key to tighten the screws.
9. Replace the protective sleeve over the protective casing.

Connect the rugged enclosure

The rugged enclosure comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A cable. When you connect the rugged enclosure, make sure that you use the cable that's appropriate for your computer.

1. Install a drive in the rugged enclosure. For more information about how to do this, see the "Install a drive" topic.
2. Connect one of the provided USB cables to the USB Type-C port on the rugged enclosure and to the USB port on your computer.
3. When you connect the rugged enclosure to your computer and the OS automatically installs the necessary software, the drive is accessible as though it's installed internally in the system. Before you use the drive, you need to prepare it for use. For more information, see the "Prepare a drive for use" topic.

Note: The rugged enclosure doesn't require an external power supply, as it receives enough power through the USB bus that it's connected to. When the computer is turned off, the drive will stop working.

Prepare a drive for use

Windows OS

If you install a brand-new drive that doesn't contain any data, you must prepare the drive for use.

Warning! When you complete the following steps, all of the data on your drive will be deleted. If your drive has data on it that you require, you should create a backup file or use a different drive.

1. Depending on the OS version that you're running, do one of the following:

2. On your desktop, right-click My Computer and click Manage.

3. On your desktop, right-click Computer and click Manage.

4. Click the Start button or Windows icon. Enter compmgmt.msc and press Enter.

5. On the Computer Management screen, click Disk Management.

6. A dialog window appears and asks you to initialize the drive. Depending on the version of Windows that you're running, you have the option to create either an MBR or a GPT disk.

Note: GPT (GUID partition) is required for drives larger than 2 TB, but GPT isn't compatible with some earlier versions of operating systems. MBR is supported by both earlier and later versions of operating systems.

1. Locate the disk that is labeled Unallocated. To confirm that the drive is the correct one, check the drive capacity.
2. Right-click the section of the window that says Unallocated and click New Partition.
3. To initialize the drive in the format of your choice, complete the on-screen instructions.

When the drive is successfully installed, it appears under My Computer or Computer with a drive letter assigned to it.

macOS

If you install a brand-new drive that doesn't contain any data, you must prepare the drive for use.

Warning! When you complete the following steps, you create a partition that uses the entire drive space.

1. Do one of the following:

• In Spotlight, enter Disk Utility.
- Open Finder. Navigate to Applications and click Utilities. Open Disk Utility.

1. Select the new drive and click the Partition tab.
2. Enter a name for the partition.
3. Click Apply.

The drive should now appear on your desktop and be accessible in Finder.

Remove a hard drive

Caution! Do not remove the hard drive from the drive enclosure when a task is in progress.

Windows OS

1. Click the Safely remove Hardware and Eject Media icon in the task bar.
2. Select the hard drive from the list of storage devices.
3. Wait for a message to appear telling you that it's safe to remove the hard drive.
4. Disconnect the rugged enclosure from the computer.
5. Remove the drive from the rugged enclosure.

macOS

1. Close any open windows that list the contents of the hard drive.
2. On the desktop, drag the USB storage icon onto the trash can icon.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Disconnect the rugged enclosure from the computer.
5. Remove the drive from the rugged enclosure.

Technical support

StarTech.com's lifetime technical support is an integral part of our commitment to provide industry-leading solutions. If you ever need help with your product, visit www.startech.com/support and access our comprehensive selection of online tools, documentation, and downloads.

For the latest drivers/software, please visit www.startech.com/downloads

Warranty information

This product is backed by a two-year warranty.

StarTech.com warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for the periods noted, following the initial date of purchase. During this period, the products may be returned for repair, or replacement with equivalent products at our discretion. The warranty covers parts and labor costs only. StarTech.com does not warrant its products from defects or damages arising from misuse, abuse, alteration, or normal wear and tear.

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall the liability of StarTech.com Ltd. and StarTech.com USA LLP (or their officers, directors, employees or agents) for any damages (whether direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental, consequential, or otherwise), loss of profits, loss of business, or any pecuniary loss, arising out of or related to the use of the product exceed the actual price paid for the product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages. If such laws apply, the limitations or exclusions contained in this statement may not apply to you.

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