Buffalo Drivestation Duo 500 GB Desktop External Hard Drive HD-W500IU2-R1 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Duo pairs up with 2 WD HDs, which is simply noisy when operate. Speed passing though USB2 is alright, USB driver works like a charm. Security + backup software is a plus.

However, RAID never worked! I've been fighting with Tech support for days (It will take you about 50 mins. waiting on the phone to get to them each time.) and nothing works.Tech support simply push back the problem to customers and indicated it's your "windows" problem.

1. Raid driver can't find the USB hard drive.On the first public version of driver, it creates C++ error. The newest version simply can't find the hard drive.

2. If you are looking for mac support, there is none. The newest driver "README.TXT" indicated that, newest driver only works under PowerPC chip with OSX. So if you have intel core duo, good luck to find the RAID driver.

3. When I first spoke with tech support about RAID problem, they said it might be my windows.Actually, I've tried 7 computers with 3 of them are clean installed. Nothing works! the RAID software simply CAN NOT FIND ANY DEVICE on the USB, even your hard drives are working and running.

4. Tech told me the RAID is hardware raid, however, it requires "THE DRIVER" to work. Where, most of people on the net will tell you, "THE DRIVER", never worked. So, if you are unlucky just like me, you have to run 2 USB drives at same time instead of any RAID/MIRROR support on this thing. they simply don't have it yet.The newest driver 1.01 was dated as far back as June 2006, and there is no newer driver existing so far.

Buffalo's linkstation gaves me nice experiences (only down side was the transfer rate), but this Drivestation Duo turns me away. I'll never going to be business with Buffalo ever again in my life. It's too painful to call in and gets no results whatsoever.============== UPDATE Feb/27/07 ==================================
After a few weeks of problem solving, I am able to make the RAID work now.

Since the utility came with CD or "buffalo" tech support suggested version was never worked. (RAID utility simply can't find the Hard drive itself), and MAC raid utility only support OS 9 or older.

Instead of killing myself without a RAID feature which I paid for, I went to Japanese website to download the newest RAID utility.First of all, if you have the connection problem like I do, and you only have windows machines, I have to tell you the sad news.Even Japanese (NEWEST update) RAID utility still won't work under windows XP SP2.

Instead, You need an IntelMac (like macbook/pro), hook up with firewire (only works under firewire connection), and fire up the Japanese version of the RAID utility.It will find the Drivestation Just fine.

If you don't read Japanese, basicaly, there are 3 options under the RAID menu, and once you opened up the utility, you see 2 partition (2 separated HD on the list), and you will have 3 options.1st, remain 2 Partitions. 2nd, Make them into one 500GB partition. 3rd, make into RAID 1 configuration.

Here is the tricky part!! Since windows RAID utility didn't work, You have to make your RAID configuration on MAC through firewire.However, You HAVE TO USE USB2.0 connection to the Windows machine after this.After you configured your DriveStation into 500GB or RAID 1, You will either see a 500GB HD after reboot the Drivestation on Mac, OR!!! You will see nothing (Partition worked, but MAC has no longer access the right partition.)

So, You need to use USB 2.0 connection back to Windows, and fire up the "Format program" that came with original CD. (Sorry! No MAC utility here!).Here! You can delete/create/format a partition.And after format the Drivestation into FAT32, both of your PC/MAC will see it and work perfect after that.

Since the front pannel did indicate 1, 2 as first and second hard drive in LED. If your RAID 1 worked, they both will access almost at same time when you are using the Hard Drive.Fully RAID 1 baby!!

If you made them into a Huge 500GB, it works the same too.. 2 Hard Drive will access at same time (Almost).It is much better than 2 separated Hard Drives.

============ WARNING ===================
This is personal testing result.Actual procedure might facing difficulty I haven't encountered.So, if this method don't really work for you, please don't contact me.Just call Buffalo-tech then.

Be honest, I think Buffalo-USA did a bad job of re-writting the entire utility.They simply didn't do a full testing on it.Japanese one didn't work as well.You will also see FW update.. I didn't try that at all. This is the catch.. if FW fails.. You never gotta know how to get back to the original FW in the first place.

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Product Description:

Product Name: DriveStation Duo Hard Drive Array
Marketing Information:
The DriveStation Duo is a quick and easy solution to store, access, back up and transfer your music, photos, videos and other files. Get maximum storage with the increased capacity of two spanning hard drives or the extra security of automatic mirroring in one affordable box.Storage

Storage Capacity: 500GB Installed/500GB Maximum
Hard Drive: 2 x 250GB Serial ATA
Controllers

Controller:Serial ATA/150 RAID Controller
RAID Levels: 1
I/O Expansions

Expansion Bays: 3.5" (2 Total/2 Populated)
Interfaces/Ports

Ports: 2 x 4-pin USB 2.0 - USB
Ports: 1 x 6-pin IEEE 1394a - Firewire
Power Description

Input Voltage: 110V AC
Input Voltage: 220V AC
Physical Characteristics

Dimensions: 6.4" Height x 3.9" Width x 8.7" Depth
Weight: 6.4 lb- Approximate
Warranty

Standard Warranty: 1 Year(s)

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