Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus 750 GB USB 2.0/FireWire 400 Desktop External Hard Drive STM307504OTA3E5-RK Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had a 300G "One Touch" drive for a couple of years now.It still functions acceptably.

I recently bought this current 750G Maxtor drive that I use primarily for backing up mp3 files (music) and photos. The price and capacity were right.I thought the most recent version of software would show some improvements. You see--the last version of the One Touch back up software, and now, this most recent version does not "save my life"--as it says it will on the label of the box.

IF this software "saved my life" (that is, back up ALL files on my hard drive as I specify) then it would do the simplest of functions--specifically the back up of all the files associated with mp3 files in a folder. You see, the jpg album art and folder images are part of the mp3 files. Without those images, folders lose their thumbnail identifiers. Without those images, moving files back and forth between drives and any other player program, whether it be iTunes, Windows Media Player, or to an ipod, those images are lost FOREVER.OK, maybe "forever" is not quite right, but if you have 10,000-20,000 songs on your ipod and on your hard drive, it is very time consuming to go out and grab those image files again.

So much for saving a life or even an image associated intimately with another file or folder.The problem, noted on the Seagate/Maxtor site and by other reviewers here, is that the software will NOT copy "hidden" files (even if they are unhidden in the folder).In fact this the list of files not automatically backed up...
* Operating System files that are in use
* Hidden/System Files & Folders - this includes Microsoft Outlook Data & Personal Files (e.g., *.PAB and/or *.PST files)
* Microsoft Compressed Folders
* Microsoft Encrypted Folders
* Offline Files
So you can forget about using the OneTouch software for backing up your music library (at least with the image files attached) OR your Outlook email/contacts folder (*.pst).I also noted the software was not copying zip files (compressed?) or even some Acrobat files (huh?).Oh, you CAN copy these files manually by dragging them from one location to another... but when you have a couple thousand mp3 files, that is pretty tedious!

Supposedly, SafetyDrill --another program from Seagate-- will copy these types of files, but since it was not provided in the box...there was no way to test it.

I just did not understand.So I persisted... I tried any number of methods to create a back door so I could possibly "save my life" and could not get anything to save those (un)hidden image files. I played with my file folders thinking that it was just the fact that the files are "hidden"... so I unhid them in both folders on my computer and the One Touch folders. No luck.

So with a functioning drive, that I WANT to use... I finally just dumped the software and am using a program called "filesync", available with a quick search on the web. (and well worth the $15 requested).

Why would Seagate provide such a disabled "save your life" program tocustomers who expect to be able to use the software for something as simple as backing up their ipods?

Would I recommend this drive to someone?Certainly not to a beginning computer user.I might if the experienced purchaser knew up front that THE MOST COMMON USE (back up of music files with image files in the same folder) is severely lacking using the Maxtor software... AND they would need to purchase another back-up program to do things properly.This lack of functionality is disappointing, especially when the Seagate/Maxtor site is loaded with commentary going back over a year about the same lack of functionality.Makes you wonder if they will listen when more serious problems might occur.

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Product Description:
Manufacturer Product Description The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus solution is a full-featured backup and storage solution with Maxtor SafetyDrill for complete recovery of a hard drive's contents in case of a system crash or virus/spyware attack*. With two levels of data security and capacities up to 1 TB, users can confidently back up or sync work and home computers.


Protect your data from unauthorized use.

Back up your files with one touch of a button.

Add on storage for your desktop or laptop. Portable Performance and Security
Provide a safe haven for your entire working environment. Don't back up and protect just your files anymore. System crashes and virus attacks can happen, and it's difficult to get your computer back to just the way you like it. To prepare, should the unfortunate happen, Maxtor SafetyDrill automatically creates a snapshot of the entire contents of your PC's hard drive which can be readily booted for an easy and complete recovery.
With this elegantly simple full-featured backup solution, Maxtor's software makes automated backup scheduling, specific file restoration, sync, security, drive and power management a snap. To safeguard against unauthorized use, Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus comes with both data encryption and Maxtor DrivePass. To top it off, with up to 1 TB you have more than enough room for your important documents, videos, photos, graphics, and music in one safe, convenient location – over 16,660 hours of digital music or 320,000 digital photos or 1000 hours of digital video or 250 two-hour DVD quality movies or 500 games.
The sleek and slim design of this hard drive--only measures 6.75 x 2.50 x 6.00-inches (H x D x W). The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus lets you transfer files seamlessly from your computer via its USB 2.0 connection at a brisk transfer rate of up to 480Mb/sec. The drive delivers a spindle speed of 7,200 RPM, giving you the high-speed performance you need to back your data up quickly and safely.
It's easy to install – just plug the external drive into an available USB or FireWire port on your PC or Mac, run the preloaded software, and presto you're good to go. At this compact size, and with this high performance, you now have the ability to take your data with you anywhere you go, so your digital content finally has room to breathe. A five-year warranty is also included, giving you complete peace of mind.
Product Highlights
· Maxtor SafetyDrill prepares, boots and recovers a PC's entire internal drive contents in case of system failure or virus/spyware infection.* · Back up all your files with one touch of the button or automated scheduling. · Maxtor DrivePass and Encryption protects contents of drive in case unauthorized use. · Quick and easy installation with pre-loaded software · Simple Maxtor user-interface drive management, security and backup scheduling · 5-year limited warranty · Sync data between two or more computers on the same operating system. · Customizable Maxtor OneTouch button · Auto Updater helps keep your Maxtor OneTouch solution current. · Drive and power management utilities · Dual interfaces:
-FireWire compatible up to 400Mb/sec data transfer rates
-USB 2.0 and 1.1 compatible up to 480 Mb/sec data transfer rates · PC and Mac compatible · 7200 RPM, up to 16-MB cache buffer
*Windows Only

Maxtor is the expert and the leader in designing simple external storage and backup solutions for consumers and professionals. Maxtor offers a broad line of trusted, intuitive storage solutions for safeguarding critical business data, digital files and personal memories. Maxtor developed the industry's first external storage device that features easy-to-use OneTouch® button backup and restore capabilities. The Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus solution is the easy way to back up and store photos, videos, games, music, business data, personal information and more. The OneTouch 4 Plus solution continues the OneTouch legacy as the leading external hard drive for small office users, consumers, creative professionals and mobile warriors.

What's in the Box
Portable hard drive with preloaded installation software, USB 2.0 cable, FireWire 400/1394a cable, Maxtor SafetyDrill Recovery CD, quick start guide, AC power adapter

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