XpressNVMe 1:21 M.2 NVMe/SATA, U.2/U.3, SATA SSD Duplicator & Eraser

It depends on your specific deployment needs:

• Whole Device: Use this for bootable Windows systems to ensure all boot sectors, hidden partitions, recovery partitions, and drive structures are preserved exactly. This is the safest option for bootable drives.
• System and Files: Best for data-only drives or when deploying to different-sized drives where you only need the actual files and folder structure.
• Custom Data Copy: Useful for repeated deployments of specialized Windows images after initial analysis.

You have several options for copying larger drives to smaller drives:

• Use "System and Files" mode if you're only copying data (not bootable systems) and the actual data fits within 480GB.
• Disable "Copy GPT Backup Area" in settings to save space (the GPT backup will rebuild automatically in Windows).
• Use "Percentage" mode to copy only the used portion of the source drive.
• Use "Custom Data Copy" mode after analyzing the drive to copy only data areas.

Note: For bootable systems, target drives should typically match or exceed source capacity to preserve all boot structures.

For additional tips and tricks on copying larger drives to smaller drives, including advanced techniques for specific scenarios, contact our technical sales representatives or MDS Support team directly at support@mdsfirst.com. Our support team can provide guidance on:

• Partition resizing strategies
• Handling specific operating system requirements
• Optimizing copy settings for your particular use case
• Working with mixed drive capacities in production environments

• DoD 3-pass: Overwrites data three times (binary 0s, 1s, then random data). Works on all drives.
• Secure Erase: Uses the drive's built-in command to erase all sectors including normally inaccessible areas. Faster but not all drives support it.
• Full Erase (NIST Clear): Single pass overwrite with binary 0s, NIST 800-88 compliant.

The duplicator automatically logs all operations. Export logs via USB drive (FAT32/exFAT format) as CSV or text files. Logs include:

• Drive serial numbers
• Operation timestamps and duration
• Pass/fail status
• Erase method used
• Operator identification fields
• Optional watermark verification (requires iSecuLog.exe software)

Configure Skip Bad Sectors in settings (default 0). You can allow 1–65,535 bad sectors or unlimited. LED indicators show:

• Green: Success, no bad sectors
• Red: Failed or exceeded limit
• Red+Green: Completed with bad sectors under your limit

For critical data needing complete clones, keep at 0. For mass production where some bad sectors are acceptable, adjust accordingly.

Use Custom Data Copy mode:

• 1) The duplicator analyzes the entire drive on first run
• 2) Memorizes all data locations
• 3) First copy is slower due to analysis
• 4) Subsequent copies run much faster
• 5) Stay in the copy results screen and just swap drives for batch production

This mode handles special formats that System and Files doesn’t recognize.

Target Tolerance handles small capacity variations between “identical” drives:

• No Limit (default) — accepts any size target.
• 100% Same — requires exact capacity match.
• Allow Tolerance — set a percentage range (e.g., ±10%).

This prevents production failures caused by minor capacity differences between batches.

Yes — Percentage mode lets you set exact start/end percentages. Examples:

• Copy first 50% for drives with data only in the first partition.
• Copy 25%–35% for a specific partition range.

Useful for standardized deployments where data location is predictable.

Enable when:

• Using Custom Data Copy (prevents data combination).
• Targets contain previous data that might interfere.
• You need guaranteed clean targets.

Leave disabled for new/erased drives to save time.

This setting (default 30s) allows drives to initialize before operations:

• HDDs: keep at 30 seconds for spin-up.
• SSDs: reduce to 5–10 seconds.
• QC scenarios: set to “wait key to start” for manual control.

GOB is MDS’s proprietary image format:

• System and Files: Smallest — stores only actual data.
• Whole Device: Complete bit-for-bit image — largest.
• Custom Data Copy: Stores only analyzed data areas identified during analysis.

Create images via the duplicator or PC Link for Windows and store multiple images on the internal SSD for different deployment scenarios.

• 1) Install driver and GOB Compiler from the included USB.
• 2) Analyze the source drive on your PC
• 3) Create the GOB file in the desired mode.
• 4) Upload to the duplicator via USB connection.
• 5) First use requires formatting the internal SSD.

1. USB Method: Place the firmware file in the root of a FAT16/32 USB drive.
2. Source Port Method: Format a device in the duplicator to a 2GB FAT32 partition, add the firmware on a PC, then insert in the source port.

Critical: Never interrupt power during updates (takes ~5 minutes). Interrupted updates render the system unusable and require factory service.

• Password protection (6.6.10): Requires a password at boot.
• Scroll Lock (6.6.8): Disables up/down buttons to prevent menu navigation.
• Combine with Start-up Menu to lock to a specific function (e.g., Copy+Compare only).

Common causes and solutions:

• Used System and Files instead of Whole Device for the boot drive.
• Target capacity is smaller than the source (even slightly).
• Delete Device Signature After Copy is enabled — disable for exact replicas.
• Missing hidden partitions or boot sectors.

For complex boot issues, contact support@mdsfirst.com specialized guidance.

Not all drives support hardware Secure Erase commands. Alternatives:

• Use DoD 3-pass (universal compatibility).
• Use Full Erase (NIST Clear).
• Check drive specs for Secure Erase support or update drive firmware if available.

Host Protected Area is hidden drive space (SATA only). Options:

• Default: Do Not Copy HPA > Keep Target HPA (best for most scenarios).
• Copy and Setting: For exact replicas including hidden areas.
• Clear Target HPA: Removes HPA from targets.

Most users can ignore HPA unless cloning specialized systems.

Protected by default for safety. To enable:

• Navigate to Setup > Advanced Setup > Erase Source Port.
• Change from “Disabled” to “Enabled”.

Use extreme caution — erasing the source is not reversible.

Critical handling procedures:

• 1) Insertion: Always at 45°, then press flat.
• 2) Securing: Use the rubber stopper after the drive is flat.
• 3) Removal: Release the stopper first, then lift at 45°.
• 4) Never force connections — the gold connectors are delicate.

Improper handling is not covered under warranty.

• Keep in a clean, dust-free environment.
• Ensure proper ventilation (unit heats up during operation)
• Export logs regularly (before the 5,000-entry limit).
• Clean sockets with compressed air periodically.
• Store safely when not in use.

System stores up to 5,000 entries before overwriting.
Best practices:

• Export logs weekly for busy operations.
• Use USB drive (FAT32/exFAT format).
• Save as CSV for spreadsheet analysis; retain for compliance.
• Keep for compliance requirements

• Included: Duplicator unit, 1-year parts & labor.
• Excluded: Cables, adapters, sockets, consumables, physical damage.
• Available: Extended warranty options.
• Lifetime: Phone and email technical support.

• Email: support@mdsfirst.com
• Website: www.mediaduplicationsystems.com
• Phone: See website for current numbers
• Lifetime technical support included with purchase