July 8, 2009 (189/365)

It wasn't so long ago that I got my first flash drive, a 2GB number. I still have it and use it, but it wasn't big enough to deal with the video files on our media machines at home, so I got this 250GB external hard drive, which has forced me to learn more about FAT32 and NTFS file sytems than I wanted to, but reformatting it went fine and I was able to move the big video files where they needed to go. Now that that's done, maybe I'll backup my iTunes music library onto it.

Now that backup of my RAID 0 2x250=500GB disk containing My Documents is completed, I feel a few comments are necessary. Western Digital, what were you thinking! The software (Smartware it's called) that you bundled with this drive is one of the saddest pieces of software I have had the misfortune to try to use. I ugraded the disk's firmware and the software, still one of the flakiest pieces of software I have ever seen. The concept is nice, the execution worse than poor. At one point the Smartware backup software was counting downwards when displaying files successfully copied! Western Digital Co., just how much faith do you think I would have that my precious files would be there when I need them? My next disk (to be used for offsite storage) will be a 3.5 inch Hitachi fitted to an enclosure, and I guess I'll have to find some decent software (Acronis or similar) if I want to do simple incremental backups. I know...Western Digital purchased Hitachi's disk manufacturing division, but I can still get one that pre-dates that acquisition. Western Digital makes reasonably good drives, but they should stay out of the software business.

This backup was accomplished by uninstalling Smartware, formatting the disk, and using the copy command. Mysteriously I am not seeing the VCD (Virtual CD) that has troubled so many other users. Be aware that WD claims the VCD can be disabled but not completely removed. Let Google be your friend for more info on WD Smartware. Hey, if it works for you great, but my experience seems to match that of many, many others.

A new setup for my external hard drive and USB hub. I had these on top, but no more room up there so I put them down.

Yup, pretty much a walking advertisement for HP today. 2 terabytes, mine for the loading. This thing will soon house every photo I've ever taken.

The back of the package with diagram showing how it works.

revision3.com/geekbeattv/2010-06-29

Photo-A-Day #1974

I picked up the new Transformers Power Core Combiner named Huffer and he's standing in front of my new Seagate GoFlex 1TB external Hard Drive. Come comment at www.benspark.com/a-couple-of-protectors.html

Day 272

Picked up two HDs to back up my pictures. The main HD was making weird clicks and had me scared. I need to save up for one of those systems that has a few bays of hard drives and backsup constantly. All these hard drives are making my desk even more cluttered.

Strobist info: SB-900 & SB-700 bounced and triggered with cybersyncs

Macro Mondays

Challenge #9 - BLUE

www.flickr.com/groups/macromonday/

Maxtor 200 GB External Hard Drive

3880

C41P69WH

Gah today was rough. Long hard day at work. Then I discovered my favorite black flats are broken (and I had to wear them all day broken). Gracie has extreme anxiety problems. Bleh.

I decided I was in need of some photo-therapy. I spent the evening watching Made of Honor and National Treasure 2 while editing photographs. ;] Much needed.

I have the files starting with Thursday, December 4th.

I hope to put them up sometime in the next few days.

.THP

my posters.

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