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  • TAINER Not Detected as an External USB Drive
    If TAINER is not detected as an external USB drive on your computer, try connecting TAINER directly to the computer instead of using a USB hub. Some USB hubs omit USB 2.0 signals, causing TAINER to think it is connected to a USB charger rather than a computer, and thus it will not be detected. To operate TAINER as an external USB drive, follow these steps: Connect the USB cable to the USB Type-C port (located on the right side) of TAINER. When the USB cable is connected to the Type-C port, TAINER checks whether the connected device is a USB power source or a computer. If connected to a USB power source, TAINER will only use the USB power. If connected to a computer, TAINER will display a menu asking you to select one of the following options: Connect to the computer (draw power from the computer) Connect to a smartphone (self-powered, not drawing power from the smartphone) Just draw power from the connected device To determine whether a computer or a USB power source is connected, TAINER requires the USB 2.0 signal. Therefore, some USB 3.0 hubs that do not include the USB 2.0 signal may not work with TAINER.
  • Backing Up Smartphone Photos and Videos with the TAINER: How-To Guide
    Backup your smartphone's DCIM folder to the TAINER easily with our V2.0 firmware update. For optimal performance and new features, we recommend upgrading to V2.0. Here's how to back up your smartphone: To back up your smartphone to the TAINER, you'll need the right USB cable. For Android phones, use the USB Type-A to Type-C cable included with your TAINER. iPhone users will need a USB Type-A to Lightning cable. Connect the USB Type-A end of the cable to the TAINER's USB 3.0 Type-A port, located at the bottom of the device. Plug the other end of the cable into your smartphone. On the TAINER’s LCD, select [Phone/USB Reader] when prompted for a connection mode. For first-time connections, the TAINER will ask you to set your copying preferences. Your phone will prompt you to [Trust] the TAINER for access. Once you confirm this, your phone will be detected and ready for backup. For a comprehensive guide, visit our website at [Smartphone Backup to TAINER Manual].
  • Replacing the TAINER's Internal Battery: A User-Friendly Guide
    For guidance on replacing the internal battery of your TAINER device, please refer to the [Internal SSD Installation Guide] on our website. While the primary focus of this guide is on changing the internal SSD, it also includes instructions for replacing the internal battery. The process is moderately challenging, so we recommend reviewing the guide carefully. Currently, the internal battery is not listed for sale separately, as it typically remains functional for over a year. However, we plan to offer replacement batteries through our web shop or via our partners in the future. The estimated cost is around $50, plus shipping (approximately $50 from Korea to international destinations). If you need a replacement battery immediately, please reach out to us through our contact page: Contact Clouzen.
  • Enhanced Stability Measures for ExFAT File Systems in TAINER
    When reading data, TAINER accepts memory cards formatted in HFS+/UDF/exFAT/FAT32. However, when writing data, TAINER writes only to drives formatted in exFAT. This means that to work with TAINER, the internal SSD must be formatted in exFAT. This requirement also applies to USB external SSDs. We use exFAT because it is supported by nearly every operating system, including macOS and Windows, ensuring compatibility with most computers. However, since exFAT is an unjournaled file system, disruptions during critical operations can corrupt the file system, especially since most operating systems do not write data directly to the disk. Instead, they hold data in a buffer and write it later, at an opportune time. The 'safe removal' feature flushes this buffer to the disk. If a USB drive is removed without using 'safe removal', the buffered data may not be written correctly, which can corrupt the file system and result in data loss. To mitigate these risks, ClouZen has implemented the following measures: Immediate writing of data to the disk to prevent inconsistencies caused by buffered data. Completion of all file system-related critical access before the start of actual data copying. These critical accesses are completed within one second, minimizing the risk of file system corruption. During data transfer, we avoid accessing critical sections of the file system. Thus, in the worst-case scenario, only the file data may be incomplete, with no risk of file system corruption because we do not touch the critical sections during copying. Situations such as memory card removal, sudden power loss, or other errors during copying will not affect the file system. This approach makes TAINER unique in its ability to protect the file system, allowing us to continue our business without occurrences of user data problems. One note of caution: While TAINER itself is robustly designed for all possible scenarios, USB card readers or USB SSDs connected to TAINER are not perfect. Additionally, TAINER has limited power capacity. If you use a high-power-consuming USB card reader, such as an SxS, we recommend attaching external power to TAINER. Drawing too much power through USB can destabilize the USB power voltage, increasing the chance of misoperation in connected USB devices.
  • How to refresh the spotlight on Mac OSX?
    You may need to use Smart Folder to automate your process. In case your MAC OS failed to refresh the list of files, run the command below. sudo mdutil -E {Your_Folder_To_Rebuild}
  • Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues with the TAINER: 2.4GHz Band and WPA2 Compatibility
    If you're encountering difficulties in connecting your TAINER device to a Wi-Fi network, the issue may stem from the network's frequency or the Wi-Fi security settings of your hotspot. Here's what you should check: Wi-Fi Connection Guide for iPhone Users If you're having trouble connecting your TAINER device to your iPhone's hotspot, adjusting the [Maximize Compatibility] setting may help. This option is found within the iPhone's hotspot settings. Here’s what to do: For iPhone 11 or Older Models: Turn off the [Maximize Compatibility] option. This change can help your TAINER device detect and connect to your iPhone's hotspot. For iPhone 12 or Newer Models: Turn on the [Maximize Compatibility] option. This setting adjustment is necessary for these models to ensure compatibility with the TAINER device. By following these steps, you should be able to establish a successful Wi-Fi connection between your TAINER and your iPhone. Wi-Fi Connection Guide for Android Users If you are facing connectivity issues with your TAINER device using your Android phone's Wi-Fi hotspot, it's important to check the hotspot's settings. TAINER devices are compatible with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks secured with WPA2 security. They do not support the newer WPA3 security protocol or 5GHz band Wi-Fi networks. To ensure compatibility: Security Mode: Set your Android phone's Wi-Fi hotspot to use WPA2 security mode. Frequency Band: Configure the hotspot to operate on the 2.4GHz frequency band. By adjusting these settings, you should be able to establish a stable connection between your TAINER device and your Android phone's Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • How TAINER can be used as an external SSD for my Smartphone?
    The TAINER can serve as a battery-powered external USB drive for smartphones. To connect, simply use the appropriate USB cable to link your smartphone—whether it has a Lightning port or a USB Type-C port—to the TAINER's USB Type-C port located on the right side. Typically, a Type-C to Type-C cable is used for Android phones. For iPhones, a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable combined with a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter is necessary. Please follow the steps below to safely use your TAINER as a self-powered external USB drive with your smartphone. Instructions for iPhone Users For iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users: You only need a USB Type-C to Type-C cable to connect yo ur iPhone to the TAINER's Type-C port. Please ensure the TAINER is powered on before connecting. For users of other iPhone models with an 8-pin Lightning port: You will require an official Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter and a USB Type-C to Type-A cable. The use of non-official cables, especially non-official adapters, may result in connectivity issues with the TAINER. To connect your iPhone to the TAINER, follow these steps: Connect the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter to your iPhone. Turn on the TAINER. Use the USB cable to connect the Adapter to the TAINER's Type-C port. The TAINER will display a computer connection menu on its LCD. Select the [Smartphone] icon from this menu. This sets the TAINER to function as a battery-operated external USB drive without drawing power from your iPhone. Your TAINER and iPhone are now connected. You can browse the contents of the TAINER using the Files app on your iPhone. For detailed guidance on accessing external storage on your iPhone, visit: Apple Support Guide: Using external storage devices with iPhone USB Memory Direct Blog: How to use USB with an iPhone Guide for Android Phone Users The majority of modern Android phones come with a USB Type-C port. To connect your Android phone to the TAINER, follow these simple steps: Power up your TAINER. Use a USB Type-C to Type-C cable to create a connection between your phone and the TAINER's Type-C port. Once connected, the TAINER will present a computer connection menu on its LCD. Select the [Smartphone] icon from this menu. This configures the TAINER to act as a self-powered external USB drive, preventing it from drawing power from your phone. Access and manage the contents of the TAINER using your phone’s file management app, such as Google's 'Files' app. For a more detailed explanation of how phone storage and file management work on Android devices, please visit: Understanding Phone Storage Folders.
  • How does the TAINER's Incremental Copy Mode work?
    The TAINER supports incremental copying, which allows users to efficiently manage their files. Here’s how it works: Initial Copy: Insert your memory card into the TAINER and perform an initial copy of the files. Add More Photos: Continue using your memory card to take additional photos. Subsequent Copies: Reinsert the memory card into the TAINER. It will automatically detect and copy only the new files added since the last copy. Conditions for Incremental Copy: To activate the incremental copy mode, one of the following conditions must be met: The memory card must initially contain at least one file larger than 1GB(1024*1024*1024 Byte). Alternatively, it must contain more than 11 files where the total added file capacity exceeds 32MB. Once these conditions are met, the TAINER will display the Incremental Copy (Update) option on the LCD menu, allowing you to proceed with selective file copying.
  • SSD Compatibility and Performance Guide for the TAINER (As of January 2024)
    Highly Recommended SSDs for the TAINER (as of January 2024) For optimal performance with the TAINER, we highly recommend the following SSDs: Western Digital WD Blue SA510 2TB (WDS200T3B0B) Transcend 830s Series 2TB (TS2TMTS830S) Transcend 830s Series 4TB (TS4TMTS830S) These models have been selected based on their compliance with key technical features: Performance: These SSDs come with DRAM, ensuring a consistent speed of 400MB/s, even after backing up 20TB of data. S.M.A.R.T. Compatibility: They accurately report using Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology, which allows the TAINER to alert you of potential SSD failures in the foreseeable future. Secure Erase Function: They support complete data deletion through the TAINER's format or factory reset functions, ensuring your data's security. Energy Efficiency: Their low power consumption enables extensive data transfers on a single TAINER battery charge, including copying over 1TB from CFexpress cards or 200GB to USB 3.0-compatible smartphones. Functional SSDs with Performance Concerns (as of January 2024) The following SSDs are functional with the TAINER but may exhibit performance issues: WD Blue SA510 1TB Dogfish 4TB KingSpec 2TB These SSDs lack DRAM, which may lead to a decrease in write speeds after filling approximately 25% of their capacity. The SA510 1TB's speed can drop to between 200MB/s and 300MB/s, while the Dogfish and KingSpec models may reduce to around 100MB/s. Despite this slowdown, these SSDs generally perform reliably, and their speed can be restored to the maximum level by formatting them through the TAINER's format menu. Additionally, they have lower energy consumption and are more cost-effective, which is why we consider them functional. However, it's important to note that the Dogfish 4TB model does not accurately report S.M.A.R.T. data. Consequently, the TAINER may not effectively predict potential errors with this model in the foreseeable future. Users of the Dogfish 4TB SSD should exercise caution and consider additional backup measures. SSDs Not Recommended for Use with the TAINER (as of January 2024) We advise against using the following SSDs with the TAINER due to significant compatibility issues: WD Red SA500 2TB Timetec 35TTQNM 2TB KingSpec 4TB WD Red SA500 2TB: This model is not recommended because it has a high power consumption which can overburden the TAINER's power system, leading to substantially reduced battery life. Timetec 35TTQNM 2TB: This SSD has a critical flaw where it may become completely non-responsive during a security erase operation. If this occurs, the SSD becomes unusable and cannot be recovered. KingSpec 4TB: The security erase function on this SSD does not operate correctly. It may indicate that data has been erased, but in reality, the data remains intact. Without a reliable secure erase feature, the SSD cannot be reset to its optimal speed, which is why we do not recommend this model for use with the TAINER. For these reasons, these SSDs are deemed incompatible and should not be used with the TAINER to ensure the integrity and performance of your data backup processes.
  • Incremental Copy Feature on TAINER
    TAINER supports incremental copy, which allows copying only newly added files. This feature works in the following scenarios: Copying to a single target, either to the internal drive or an external USB drive. Copying to multiple devices simultaneously (e.g., copying to both the internal SSD and an external SSD at the same time). However, we have disabled the incremental copy feature when performing a 'make secondary copy' from the internal SSD to an external USB drive. This decision was made to avoid potential conflicts that could arise if incremental copy is used with both multi-copy and 'make secondary copy' operations. We are working on resolving this conflict and will release an updated firmware to re-enable this functionality in a future update.
  • Can I backup the data from my iPhone?
    Yes, but iPhone needs to be authorised when you connect it first time. Please be noted that you need to select 'TRUST' on your iPhone screen and wait a while up to 20 seconds.
  • How fast I can backup the data from my mobile phone to TAINER?
    Every mobile phone has different reading / writing speed. Generally speaking, the latest mobile phone shows the better performance. Following is the table of the writing speed results with TAINER. Tested and verified with the TAINER Firmware V2.0
  • TAINER seems running short when it is connected to the mobile phone, why?
    When the mobile phone is connected to TAINER, it also drains power from TAINER and results in fast battery consumption. We strongly recommend to use the power supplier at the same time when you connect the mobile phone to TAINER.
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