Quickstart

Learn how to image an evidence drive with Atola TaskForce 2.

Step 1. Start TaskForce 2

  1. Press the Power button on the front panel of the hardware unit.
  2. The following message shows on the small IP screen on the front panel: “Booting 3 min”. Wait until it disappears.
  3. Open TaskForce 2 user interface:
    • Network mode: If TaskForce 2 is connected to your local network with an Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi adapter, open a Chrome browser on your PC, tablet or mobile, and enter the IP address displayed on the IP screen in its address bar.
    • Kiosk mode: If TaskForce 2 is not connected to the network, plug in a VGA display, mouse & keyboard. The “Kiosk mode” message appears on the IP screen.
TaskForce 2 shows an IP address required to connect to its user interface.

TaskForce 2 shows an IP address required to connect to its user interface.

Step 2. Plug a source drive into TaskForce 2

  1. To protect an evidence drive from any alterations, switch one of TaskForce’s 26 ports into the Source mode, using the red source/target switch next to this port. The corresponding source indicator lights up signaling that the port is set to the Source mode and is write-protected.
  2. Connect your evidence drive to the port switched to the Source mode.

Step 3. Diagnose the source drive

  1. In the TaskForce 2 user interface, click Diagnose.
  2. On the Select device panel, find the appropriate category (SATA, SAS, USB, File, IDE, or Extension*), expand it and select your source drive.
  3. Click Start. The Diagnostics process takes a couple of minutes. If diagnostics results show that the drive is in good condition, proceed to imaging.
Diagnostics report proves the drive is in good condition.

Diagnostics report proves the drive is in good condition.

Step 4. Plug a target drive into the TaskForce 2

  1. Switch one of the free ports into the Target mode, using the red source/target switch next to it. The corresponding source indicator turns off.
  2. Connect a target drive to the port switched to the Target mode.

Step 5. Start imaging

  1. In the TaskForce 2 user interface, click Image.
  2. On the Select source device panel, find the appropriate category (SATA, SAS, USB, File, IDE, or Extension*), expand it and select your source drive.
  3. On the Imaging sessions page, click Start new.
  4. On the Select target devices panel, find the appropriate category (SATA, SAS, USB, File, IDE, or Extension*), expand it and select your target device or devices. Then click Continue.
  5. Check the imaging settings and adjust them if needed. The Settings page shows:
    • the source drive and the case ID
    • the default settings applied to this imaging session
    • the list of Targets to be involved in this session
  6. Click Start.
Image acqusition in progress.

Image acqusition in progress.

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