Advice please: SATA or no, Terastation Maybe?

[Doug]

The first of my two Maxtor One-Touch external USB drives is failing.
I'm sure the second will go sooner or later, too.

I often would rather not power off at night, but would like to run 24/7
for days at a time so backups, scans, etc. can take place while I sleep.
I guess these Maxtors can't handle it. My guess is that there's a
very cheap little fan inside, and when it slows down or stops the drive
bakes itself. Whatever.

Now: what to buy? I need about 500 GB of external storage, and I'd also
like whatever I use to also be the backup repository for the Dell
desktop's 120 GB internal HD.

Option one: buy a SATA card, and hang some good external SATA drives.

Option two: buy a Buffalo TeraStation and set it for RAID something or
other (can't keep the numbers straight).

Any expert suggestions?

Doug

 

[Arno Wagner]

The first of my two Maxtor One-Touch external USB drives is failing.
I'm sure the second will go sooner or later, too.

I often would rather not power off at night, but would like to run 24/7
for days at a time so backups, scans, etc. can take place while I sleep.
I guess these Maxtors can't handle it. My guess is that there's a
very cheap little fan inside, and when it slows down or stops the drive
bakes itself. Whatever.

No fan at all AFAIK and a disk that generates lots of heat.

Now: what to buy? I need about 500 GB of external storage, and I'd also
like whatever I use to also be the backup repository for the Dell
desktop's 120 GB internal HD.

Option one: buy a SATA card, and hang some good external SATA drives.

Option two: buy a Buffalo TeraStation and set it for RAID something or
other (can't keep the numbers straight).

Option 3: Use an old PC, put Linux or FreeBSD on it and use it as
fileserver. Thre are even some distributions targeted at this,
where you essentially boot from CD or memory-stick and use the
disks only for storage.


Other than that, I prefer option 1 for simplicity and because some
people seem to be really disappointed with the speed of the
TerraStation.

Arno

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

The first of my two Maxtor One-Touch external USB drives is failing.

I'm sure the second will go sooner or later, too.

Maybe you should kill it now so that you don't look stupid if it decides to
continue on living forever later.

I often would rather not power off at night, but would like to run 24/7
for days at a time so backups, scans, etc. can take place while I sleep.
I guess these Maxtors can't handle it.

My guess is that there's a very cheap little fan inside, and when it slows
down or stops the drive bakes itself. Whatever.

Yes, what else can it be, right?

Now: what to buy? I need about 500 GB of external storage, and I'd also
like whatever I use to also be the backup repository for the Dell
desktop's 120 GB internal HD.

Option one: buy a SATA card, and hang some good external SATA drives.

Option two: buy a Buffalo TeraStation and set it for RAID something or
other (can't keep the numbers straight).

Any expert suggestions?

Nah, if you wanted those you wouldn't be here.

 

[Doug]

Wow, what did I do to make you so snotty? It is a genuine question: I
read a lot about the new SATA drives and don't know much about them. Are
they better in some way than external USB drives? I read about new NAS
devices and don't know much about them. I need to replace my
proven-unreliable external storage and come here looking for guidance.
So you crap all over me?

Go away. You had no need to snarl at me. If there was some reason you
found my questions stupid you could have just ignored them.

Doug

 

[Rod Speed]

Wow, what did I do to make you so snotty?

Its always like that, just ignore it.

It is a genuine question: I read a lot about the new SATA drives and don't know much about them.
Are they better in some way than external USB drives? I read about new NAS devices and don't
know much about them. I need to replace my proven-
unreliable external storage and come here looking for guidance.
So you crap all over me?

That's what it gets off on.

Go away. You had no need to snarl at me. If there was some reason
you found my questions stupid you could have just ignored them.

It cant manage something as basic as that.

 

[Arno Wagner]

Wow, what did I do to make you so snotty? It is a genuine question: I
read a lot about the new SATA drives and don't know much about them. Are
they better in some way than external USB drives?

Yes. An external USB drive is technically a form of NAS. It is often
slow and less reliable because it has a much more complex interface
chain. On the plus side USB has reliable hot-plug, which is unavaliable
or problematic on SATA.

I read about new NAS
devices and don't know much about them. I need to replace my
proven-unreliable external storage and come here looking for guidance.

And you cane to the right place....

So you crap all over me?

..... just that there are some dysfunctional individuals that prey on
the unwary.

Arno

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

Wow, what did I do to make you so snotty?

Actually, the whole tone of this message says that you know exactly what it was.

It is a genuine question:

I had no problem with your question, so that leaves what?

I read a lot about the new SATA drives and don't know much about them.

Are they better in some way than external USB drives?

Even someone like you can work that out for himself.

I read about new NAS devices and don't know much about them.

I need to replace my proven-unreliable external storage

Your "proven-unreliable external storage" is known as a pathetically inadequate sample.

and come here looking for guidance.

Pity your introduction oozed that you already made your mind up and that you
couldn't really care.

So you crap all over me?

Nah, that's only in your mind.

Go away.

Go away yourself.

You had no need to snarl at me.

I didn't. It's all in your mind. You knew exactly what I found lacking in your post
and now you feel exposed and you don't like it one bit. You are the one snarling.

If there was some reason you found my questions stupid you could have just ignored them.

Like you ignore me, you mean, now where is the fun in that, right. Too much fun rallying the troops. See, you answer your own
question. But I'll guess you don't like that either.
Being exposed again, that is.

 

[Doug]

Pity your introduction oozed that you already made your mind up and that you
couldn't really care.

Oh, I get it. You work for Maxtor?

Please let me start over with you. I'm not a regular here, have no idea
who you are, and will take you seriously for one more exchange.

One of my 2 drives is failing. It is clicking and dropping off of the
O/S and doing all sorts of things that it shouldn't. You should take my
word for it: external drive # 1 is dead.

I read here and at other sites that the this model drive is not held in
high repute, and others report problems with Maxtor One-Touch external
drives.

The case is hot to the touch. There is a small circle of vent slots on
the rear of the case that led me to believe there might be a biscuit fan
inside. A fan like that, built into my video card, once failed and the
card baked itself to death (Dell replaced it). I therefore believe that
if such a fan fails, the equipment to which it is attached might suffer
from heat build-up.

You appear to know better. Maybe you know that my enclosure has no fan,
and so my speculation is ill-informed.

Since one drive failed, and others report that this model is unreliable,
I worry that my identical drive, operating under the same 24/7
conditions, and no better ventilated, is perhaps not to be relied upon
much longer.

I didn't come here for assurance that my second drive won't fail, though
you appear to believe that I shouldn't worry about it. In any case I
now have insufficient storage even if it runs forever.

Doug

 

[Odie Ferrous]

Oh, I get it. You work for Maxtor?

Please let me start over with you. I'm not a regular here, have no idea
who you are, and will take you seriously for one more exchange.

One of my 2 drives is failing. It is clicking and dropping off of the
O/S and doing all sorts of things that it shouldn't. You should take my
word for it: external drive # 1 is dead.

I read here and at other sites that the this model drive is not held in
high repute, and others report problems with Maxtor One-Touch external
drives.

The case is hot to the touch. There is a small circle of vent slots on
the rear of the case that led me to believe there might be a biscuit fan
inside. A fan like that, built into my video card, once failed and the
card baked itself to death (Dell replaced it). I therefore believe that
if such a fan fails, the equipment to which it is attached might suffer
from heat build-up.

You appear to know better. Maybe you know that my enclosure has no fan,
and so my speculation is ill-informed.

Since one drive failed, and others report that this model is unreliable,
I worry that my identical drive, operating under the same 24/7
conditions, and no better ventilated, is perhaps not to be relied upon
much longer.

I didn't come here for assurance that my second drive won't fail, though
you appear to believe that I shouldn't worry about it. In any case I
now have insufficient storage even if it runs forever.

Doug,


I have yet to see a Maxtor OneTouch (excluding *very* recent models)
with a fan.

Whilst they have the grilles and capacity to take a fan, it is
neglected.

Not only that, but the case does *not* dissipate sufficient heat in
order to maintain the internal drive at a reasonable temperature. Most
manufacturers of "silent" enclosures make this claim, which is nothing
less than a con.

On top of all that, Maxtor are generally the most unreliable drive in
production (and have been for a few years) and are even more susceptible
to overheating than most other drives.

The clicking noise indicates either a head failure, or corrupt
firmware. Recovery would not be cheap, regardless of who you used.

For future storage, you're better off buying either professional kit
(costing thousands) or a generic external housing with a minimum of an
80mm fan - and preferably one that blows air over the entire drive from
back to front / vice-versa or at least directly onto the logic board.

I have every confidence that your other drive *is* going to go the same
way.

I once provided information for a New York lawyer to be used in a class
action suit against Maxtor for their OneTouch drive - but I don't know
the outcome. I suspect it is still running. They are shocking products
that should not have gone to manufacturing.



Odie

 

[Curious George]

Yes. An external USB drive is technically a form of NAS. It is often

ROFLOL

Are you kidding?

slow and less reliable because it has a much more complex interface

a bit of a fudge.

chain. On the plus side USB has reliable hot-plug, which is unavaliable
or problematic on SATA.

That depends.

I'd choose option 3. Only I'd look specifically for a good condition
second hand PC server rather than any old spare desktop. Any flavor
of *nix or NT based windows would be reliable. Don't forget also IDE
flash cards for the *nix NAS OS distros.

 

[Arno Wagner]

Yes. An external USB drive is technically a form of NAS. It is often

ROFLOL

Are you kidding?[/QUOTE]

No. Read the USB spec.

a bit of a fudge.

Computer engineering 101....

Arno

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

As opposed to an internal USB drive, of course. Goes without saying.

Babblebot kidding? Bloody hell, he's dead serious. Babblebot is an *EXPERT!*

No. Read the USB spec.

Yeah, Curious, read the USB spec and all will automagically be revealed to you.

Computer engineering 101....

Arnie's usual deadbeat aswer when he is out of reasoning, uh, babbling.

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

Oh, I get it. You work for Maxtor?

Of course I do. Don't we all.

Please let me start over with you. I'm not a regular here, have no idea
who you are, and will take you seriously for one more exchange.

Like I believe that, after you flew off the handle and disregarded your own advice.

One of my 2 drives is failing. It is clicking and dropping off of the
O/S and doing all sorts of things that it shouldn't.

That's not necessarily a sign of overheating. While it could be the result
of damage due to prolonged overheating, it could just well be caused by bad
sectors and those can be caused by intermittend power supply just as well.

You should take my word for it: external drive # 1 is dead.

Where exactly did I say that it wasn't. (Not that I say it is either).

I read here and at other sites that the this model drive is not held in high
repute, and others report problems with Maxtor One-Touch external drives.

So drives die, so drives in external cabinets die, what's new.
There are so many causes for drives dying, heat is only one of them.

The case is hot to the touch. There is a small circle of vent slots on
the rear of the case that led me to believe there might be a biscuit fan
inside. A fan like that, built into my video card, once failed and the
card baked itself to death (Dell replaced it). I therefore believe that
if such a fan fails, the equipment to which it is attached might suffer
from heat build-up.

You appear to know better. Maybe you know that my enclosure has no fan,
and so my speculation is ill-informed.

Since one drive failed, and others report that this model is unreliable,

Unfortunately there are a lot of babblebots around who are happy
to parrott that around (hearsay) without ever having owned one.
It's their way of being 'helpful'.

I worry that my identical drive, operating under the same 24/7
conditions, and no better ventilated, is perhaps not to be relied upon
much longer.

Yes, that is always a possibility, as it would be with any other drive.
They can and do fail, so you always need backup.

I didn't come here for assurance that my second drive won't fail,

though you appear to believe that I shouldn't worry about it.

Nope, never said that. Just suggested that it wasn't a forgone conclusion.

In any case I now have insufficient storage even if it runs forever.

If anything, your introduction made your question focus on the concern of
overheating, which as you noted can be a concern in any external cabinet.
So in my opinion you should focus on not using such thight external cabinets
(of the portable variety) but use them in a well (force)ventilated cabinet
like your computer case or in a more bulky than usual multidrive cabinet
with it's own modular power supply and power supply fan.
In both cases (pun intended) SATA would be the best choice here as it will
provide the least cable clutter in connecting them to the system, especially
if you use trays. And if you look into trays you may find that some of them
have fans and/or temperature alarms. Have a look at www.cooldrives.com

 

[Curious George]

No. Read the USB spec.

Apparently you forgot to read the definition of NAS. If you did you
would understand what it was and WHICH kinds of networks it is
"technically" for.

Computer engineering 101....

Arno

Better take CE 102 then.

 

[Mark]

The first of my two Maxtor One-Touch external USB drives is failing.
I'm sure the second will go sooner or later, too.

I often would rather not power off at night, but would like to run
24/7 for days at a time so backups, scans, etc. can take place while
I sleep. I guess these Maxtors can't handle it. My guess is that
there's a very cheap little fan inside, and when it slows down or
stops the drive bakes itself. Whatever.

Now: what to buy? I need about 500 GB of external storage, and I'd
also like whatever I use to also be the backup repository for the
Dell desktop's 120 GB internal HD.

Option one: buy a SATA card, and hang some good external SATA
drives.

I'm having great luck with this eSATA setup on XPpro ... it's at least
2x faster then the USB2 and 1394a drives I had been using:

- eSATA enclosure: http://www.cooldrives.com/sarehadrenfo.html

- eSATA 4port card: http://www.cooldrives.com/saii3g4espcc.html (I
have this Silicon Image PCI-X card plugged into a regular PCI slot)

- Seagate 750GB SATA drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148134


In the eSATA card's bios I just chose Concatenate for the single
drive and XP uses it fine (after installation, XP's auto-Update found
a new driver for it).

 

[Rod Speed]

I'm having great luck with this eSATA setup on XPpro ... it's at least 2x faster then the USB2 and
1394a drives I had been using:

- eSATA enclosure: http://www.cooldrives.com/sarehadrenfo.html

Jeesus, pity about the utterly obscene price. More than the drive.

- eSATA 4port card: http://www.cooldrives.com/saii3g4espcc.html (I have this Silicon Image
PCI-X card plugged into a regular PCI slot)

Pretty obscene price wise too if the system already has USB2 etc.

- Seagate 750GB SATA drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148134

In the eSATA card's bios I just chose Concatenate for the single drive and XP uses it fine
(after installation, XP's auto-Update found a new driver for it).

It'd want to at that price.