 |
Seagate ST307504FPA1E3-RK FreeAgent Pro 750 GB USB/eSATA/FireWire400 External Hard Drive by Seagate
Digital Photo Product DetailsManufacturer: Seagate Model: ST307504FPA1E3-RK Product features: - 750 GB external hard drive connects to your computer via USB cable, eSATA, or FireWire 400
- 7200 RPM spindle speed for high-speed performance and fast read times
- Footprint is no bigger than a stapler; Just plug it in and you're ready to go
- Backup CDs, DVDs or store files and programs for on-the-go
- Includes external drive, USB 2.0 cable, AC power adapter, and quick start guide; 5-year limited warranty
Accessories:
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Seagate ST307504FPA1E3-RK FreeAgent Pro 750 GB USB/eSATA/FireWire400 External Hard DriveCustomer Review: Utter piece of junk Summary: 1 Stars
This hard drive is a piece of junk -- actually an insult to a piece of junk because at least a piece of junk doesn't look like it will work. There should be a reasonable chance that a drive will work out of of the box. The other problem, noted by one is that Seagate's customer support is non-existent except in theory.
I wouldn't buy any external Seagate drive that uses plug in modules on the bottom (the drives came with USB and Firewire modules that neatly plug into an SATA base plug. The modules have a power inlet and the cable end of choice.
This is not random hatred for Seagate. I have two mirrored Seagate 750s in my Apple G5, an upgrade Seagate in a MacBook Pro. There are other Seagates around internal and external. I've never seen a disaster like this one. Seagate bailed my G5 out of a problem caused by WD SATA incompatibility.
I bought the first of these drives to carry on a trip out of the country where I needed a second large storage drive. As it's a MAC, the software didn't matter. I bought this drive, fortunately, at Costco. I installed the Firewire Module, and voila, a dead drive. Being throrough, I tried to USB module. Worked fine. Not what I needed. (or paid for).
A friend who'd purchased and identical drive lent me his Firewire module. I installed it. The drive worked. I left without the drive, but began sending e-mail to Seagate. At that point, all I needed was a module and I'd need the storage when I got home. Seagate's support system is an archaic idiotic mess geared primarily to produce automated answers that aren't helpful. It would keep sending responses to responses saying comments were in the wrong place (not true) and therefore not accessible. The full comments would be attached in the area where they supposed weren't attached.Very specific on the need only for a module because the problem was very specifically isolated. Seagate said they needed more specific details, but that was impossible. I gave up on Seagate after nine days in which it became clear that customer support was handled in a place where English looked good, but didn't understand basic technical English, requiring me to spell out DOA and NFG.
It isn't easy to do anything other than return a complete drive as box, even if you're just missing a cable. I tried to get a return athorization. The system kicked it out which meant I'd have to work my way through autocall when I got back.
Instead, I returned the drive to Costco which provides the valuable right to return for 90 days. I would buy a lot less electronics from them without that. They took the drive back and I still had the need, so my wife, who did the work, brought two new drives home. One of them was DOA with both modules. The other had a dead Firewire module. They went back to Costco the same day and thinking it had to be a fluke, I bought a fourth drive. Another Firewire failure. It went back and I've determined this a Seagate that is too risky to use.
It's obvious that there is Zero quality control on the modules. I'm no longer sure about the drive quality (an end to Maxtor competition may be a factor). My concern was that the drive itself would fail, or that the modules would fail, leaving me the choice of having Seagate destroy my data for the sake of replacing the external module on the drive.
Kudos to Costco for doing the right thing. Curse you to Seagate for producing such garbage and destroying your reputation with me. I have better luck with cheap third party enclosures that don't look as good, but they consistently work.
If this were a single drive failure, I'd take it as one of those rare events. I see the other reviewer with problems similiar to mine or others I know. This is a serious product failure and Seagate is refusing to deal with it.
If you choose to ignore the problems, at least be sure you deal with someone who has a solid DOA return policy without shipping charges or at leat limited. Check it immediately. Send it back it if it doesn't work. Don't waste your time with Seagate support.
Description of Seagate ST307504FPA1E3-RK FreeAgent Pro 750 GB USB/eSATA/FireWire400 External Hard DriveAccess your content from anywhere, share it with anyone and sync it to almost anything. The FreeAgent Pro data mover automatically duplicates and moves content you select to multiple locations like email and contacts to your IPod, photos to a Shutterfly account, your entire My Documents folder to FreeAgent, or move it to your own online space for 24/7 access from any browser. Also included is an innovative modular interface to future-proof technology, various models available, up to 750 glorious gigabytes of storage, and even a five year limited warranty. Amazon.com Product Description For the person who needs access to their digital content away from home, at work, or online, while also allowing that same content to be shared in a secure setting, look no further than the Seagate Free Agent Pro Portable Hard Drive. This powerful portable hard drive delivers high-speed transfers, while also giving you the ability to share content with others safely and securely from a remote location or even online. 
Powerful storage device with a sleek new design. | 
This hip-looking hard drive takes up less room on your desk than an ordinary stapler. | 
Share your content with others safely and securely. | With up to 1 Terabyte and an ultra-slim design for a clutter-free desktop, your FreeAgent Pro external hard drive helps keep you safe from goof-ups by automatically saving new versions of your content that you can easily access if need be. And should something happen to your PC, you can roll back your Windows operating system, settings, and applications to a point in time when they ran smoother, like before a virus attack. Even though the system settings are taken back in time, updates to photos, music and critical data files are kept current. The Free Agent Pro is also ideal for those who want quick and painless transfers of their data from their computer to their drive, and from their drive to online accounts (such as Shutterfly or email). Simply plug it in to any power source and connect the USB cable to any computer, and you're ready to go. This hip-looking hard drive takes up less room on your desk than an ordinary stapler--1 x 3 x 5.2 inches (H x D x W)-- giving you more space for your other desktop items. Meanwhile, the hard drive only measures 7.5 x 1.4 x 6.3-inches (H x D x W) and it matches its small base. High Speed Synchronization and Sharing The Free Agent Pro data mover automatically duplicates and moves selected content from your hard drive to multiple locations, such as copying your contact lists and emails to your iPod, or photos to a Shutterfly account. This feature also allows you to move your entire 'My Documents' folder to the Free Agent, or move it to your own online space where you (or others you choose) can access it from any browser 24/7. The Free Agent software also offers the feature of rolling back your system to better time if something should happen to your PC while automatic revisions of your content help keep you safe from goof-ups. Move files or other content with either USB 2.0, eSATA, or FireWire 400 allowing a maximum transfer rate of 480Mb/sec for USB, and 3Gb/sec for eSATA, while delivering a high performance spindle speed of 7,200 RPM. The unit also comes with a sophisticated touch point power on/off switch. The Free Agent Pro software and drive formatting works only with Windows, but the drive can easily be reformatted for a Mac with OS X's Disk Utility. This portable hard drive is also compatible with Windows Vista (as well as Windows XP and Windows 2000), allowing you to backup your content regardless of operating system upgrades. A five-year warranty is also included, giving you complete peace of mind. Now with the ability to take your data with you anywhere you go, your digital content finally has room to breathe. What's in the Box FreeAgent Pro data mover drive, Free Agent software (preloaded) and electronic documentation, USB2.0/eSATA/FireWire 400 interfaces, USB 2.0 cable, FireWire cable, AC power adapter, and a quick start guide.
|
 |