Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 21, 2011, 10:02:27 AM
Early this year, it started dropping off-line. It was mounted in a nice OWC enclosure that included a heat sensor controlled fan and a FW/USB hub. It also powered itself down when it sensed the computer was shutdown.
My first 'fix' was to get OWC to repair their circuit board. That seemed to work but not for very long. The next 'fix' was to have the iMac's ports tested. The 'Genious' claimed the FW & USB ports were not supplying power.
Since I was getting a new iMac, I put more 'fixes' on hold. Sure enough, the new Mac failed to 'see' the old HD/exposure consistently. I purchased a less capable but less expensive enclosure locally and a new 1TB drive and a duplicate enclosure as a back up drive for the old iMac which became a 'school' computer for the younger Grand-daughter. Of course, the ports still seem to be inoperative, so the external is not doing any backups...yet
However, I can't rely on the 2TB drive, either, since it still loses connections at indeterminate times! It may stay connected for a week, then it fails to come on line for a couple of power cycles! In other words, it is undeniable!!
I've sent a message to Seagate...looking forward to a satisfying solution. When it worked, it was great: had two 1TB partitions, one for TM and one for SuperDuper... But now the iMac has a 1TB drive itself. May be less than optimum size now, even though the SD backup really doesn't need so much space.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 22, 2011, 10:21:03 AM
QUOTE
Please note this drive is designed to be installed internally in a computer. Unfortunately, we are unable to support an internal drive installed externally in this or any other external enclosure. If you feel there is a problem with the drive itself, it is available for warranty replacement, which does not expire until 08/11/2015. However, you may experience the same issue if the drive is replaced, because it may be relating to a connectivity issue in the unsupported installation.
If you are able to install this drive internally in a Windows or Mac computer we would be happy to assist you with any issue you may experience in that supported, proper installation for an internal drive.[emphasis added]
Am I the only one thinking this is a non-answer? If you are able to install this drive internally in a Windows or Mac computer we would be happy to assist you with any issue you may experience in that supported, proper installation for an internal drive.[emphasis added]
"Yeah, we will honor the warranty (should we be able to prove it is a real problem with the drive [otherwise, it will be return with a shipping charge]). Oh, and good luck getting anything to work in an enclosure!
"Update: Seagate won't support use of their drives in a third-party enclosure (two different ones). OWC claims a drive is a drive and they won't honor anything but their own warranty. So neither company will take responsibility for my trusting what is posted on their two different sites; one claiming that the drive will work in an external enclosure the other never making that statement. OWC won't take the Seagate drive in a swap for a similar Hitachi model since it's way past the 30-day refund period. Seagate tech suggested I attach via USB 2 and see if the connection is more reliable.
If I wanted a slow drive, I wouldn't have paid for a 7200rpm model... 
I suppose I could argue with everyone at both companies and generate lots of 'heat' and eventually some 'light.' In the mean time, I won't have a reliable backup system. I have had good dealings with OWC. I have never bought a Seagate drive before. I will probably buy from different companies immediately and work on the old hardware through selling them for their 'supported' uses.
Life must go on...
But, more than ever, don't believe everything you read on the interwebs! 
Post by: gunug on August 22, 2011, 12:41:41 PM
QUOTE
If you are able to install this drive internally in a Windows or Mac computer we would be happy to assist you with any issue you may experience in that supported, proper installation for an internal drive.
I suspect that they want to be told it's "inside" the machine and diagnostics (if only the S.M.A.R.T. status) tell categorically that it's bad! They're kind of stubborn about that kind of thing.
I think they'd better honor their warranty if you're using the drive as a prop for a short leg of a wobbly table; otherwise some people might think there is reason not to buy their drives!
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 22, 2011, 02:05:34 PM
- Oxford OXUF934DSB
Oxford OXUFS936DS
Oxford OXUFS936QSE
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 22, 2011, 07:48:26 PM
<Seagate - FreeAgent GoFlex FireWire 800/USB 2.0 Desktop Adapter>
[attachment=2295:FireWire..._Adaptor.gif]
[attachment=2295:FireWire..._Adaptor.gif]
Post by: Paddy on August 22, 2011, 08:26:17 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 23, 2011, 07:21:02 AM
I'll see if I can determine that fact with my "friends" at Seagate before spending the 20 bucks. But as it is now, the whole drive is unreliable at ten times the cost! Nor am I inclined to pay to have it installed in either this or the old iMac. At least I can trust those HDs to work because of their newer ages and no know problems to date.
I certainly thank you for your keen eyesight, however. DETAILS, Details, details...
Without doing the actual math conversion, the Seagate tech claims 32 bits can handle 2TB addresses. He was extremely courteous and searched for anything that might be helpful. But he declined to send me a Mac Pro in which to install the Barracuda.
I may also connect via USB2 and see if it is more reliable, even with the slower speeds it would be usable as it is primarily only used for scheduled backups not virtual memory."A fool and his $20 are soon parted!"
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 23, 2011, 10:00:24 PM
So far, the Seagate Adaptor has been operating perfectly for about six hours. I had to swap its power source to a different one on the UPS but it now goes to sleep when the iMac does. More importantly, it 'wakes' up with the iMac, also. Of course, without any kind of enclosure, there is no fan and absolutely no noise![attachment=2296:front_view.jpg]
Front
Note power/sleep light
a very pleasant, slightly bluish-white
[attachment=2297:left_sid...of_drive.jpg][attachment=2298:right_si...of_drive.jp
]
Left side | Bottom of drive - - - Right side | Top of drive
[attachment=2299:close_up..._timbers.jpg]
The Timbers!
Front
Note power/sleep light
a very pleasant, slightly bluish-white
[attachment=2297:left_sid...of_drive.jpg][attachment=2298:right_si...of_drive.jp
]
Left side | Bottom of drive - - - Right side | Top of drive
[attachment=2299:close_up..._timbers.jpg]
The Timbers!
I plan on staining the 'timbers' to match the desk. Or maybe just a flat black...
The tape will need to be replaced with something more lasting but with less sticky mess. The large sheet metal is the 'tray' used for installing the drive in the last enclosure, it will also be removed for esthetic reasons.
I'm going to leave everything as is and let the iMac turn itself off in a few minutes and see if things all come back on in the morning. Then, several close observations watching for any lost connections. :fingerscrossed:
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 24, 2011, 07:54:41 AM
Post by: gunug on August 24, 2011, 08:04:09 AM
I have had issues with minimal "firewire" adapters in the past but mainly they were with the difficulty in maintaining the connections in the face of vibration and other environmental factors. I can remember Steve Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar Ink publication once had a build your own computer system that used an aluminum cake pan that they bent and formed into a support for the single board computer and the "floppy drive" unit that kind of loosely wrapped around the whole thing!
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 24, 2011, 08:38:00 AM
Another advantage of this arrangement is the smaller desk footprint. :thumb up: I still haven't decided on what kind of tape to use...maybe camoflage style would help 'hide' the bare drive?
[attachment=2300:duct_tape.jpg]
[attachment=2301:Duct_tape_forever.jpg]
[attachment=2301:Duct_tape_forever.jpg]
Post by: chriskleeman on August 24, 2011, 09:33:48 AM
CK
Post by: daryl66 on August 24, 2011, 09:46:33 AM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 23 2011, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm going to leave everything as is and let the iMac turn itself off in a few minutes and see if things all come back on in the morning. Then, several close observations watching for any lost connections. :fingerscrossed:
Our old buddy "RUBE" would be very proud of you.
Daryl
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 24, 2011, 11:28:13 AM
QUOTE
I love the tape!
What tape?! You mean you can actually see it? It's genuine Scotch® Matte Finish Magic™ Tape! It's supposed to be invisible!!! 
Post by: gunug on August 24, 2011, 06:16:08 PM
QUOTE
It's genuine Scotch® Matte Finish Magic™ Tape! It's supposed to be invisible!!!
You probably need to return it because it's defective!
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 24, 2011, 08:29:16 PM
QUOTE(gunug @ Aug 24 2011, 06:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
It's genuine Scotch® Matte Finish Magic™ Tape! It's supposed to be invisible!!!
You probably need to return it because it's defective!
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 30, 2011, 09:45:08 AM
I'm thinking of some 18th century "high-tech" designs![attachment=2305:SteamCar.gif]
Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 02, 2011, 06:19:40 PM
I just hope their dog doesn't get sent to obedience school and needs her own laptop!!! Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 11, 2011, 04:52:18 PM
I can say that the Seagate drive is still working perfectly with the Seagate adaptor I got for 20 bucks!!
And it's amazingly cool running, also, which is great since there is no fan involved. I've purchased some styrene pieces and sheets to create a more stable setup. Pictures at 10...although the date is unknown!!! 