LaCie 500gb external HD does not work with XP SP2

JonyDirk · #1 01-14-2005, 12:52 AM

Well...I've gone and bought a new computer (Dell XPS) that's running Windows XP with Service Pack 2.

KABOOM! My two LaCie 500gb (branded as "Big Disk") do NOT work with SP2. And LaCie ADMITS it on their web site....

Install....do everything right, including trying to update drivers from their web site (although LaCie says NOT to try if one has SP2...we're supposed to WAIT!)

All that happens is that when I try to boot up, the computer stops the process with an on-screen explanation that it has found something that might harm the computer, and therefore it ceases to boot.

Yes, LaCie is STILL working on new drivers....

So this is simply a warning to fellow photogs that are looking at external drives as a back-up/storage solution. Look to another brand....

Cheers,
John

Edmond_Terakopian · #2 01-14-2005, 10:40 AM

Hi John,
I know, its so ridiculous!
Mine seem to work OK, connecting both via USB 2 and Firewire 800. However, it runs a lot slower than before.
The main aim of my reply however is a warning. I bought two of these 500Gb Bigdisks last year, and within 4 months one of them had failed on me, making horrible clicking sounds. Be vey carefull not to use them as your only backup.

Edmond

JonyDirk · #3 01-14-2005, 02:15 PM

Thanks for your notes....Yes, one of my had failed....the newer one as a completely different (upgraded?) back panel.

Just got a note from LaCie's tech support....my only response was a wide-eyed WOW at what they suggest I (inconvenience) myself with doing...

Hello,
You will want to find a computer that is still running XP or XP SP1 and
update the firmware there.

Regards,

Technical Support

LaCie Ltd.
22985 NW Evergreen Pkwy
Hillsboro OR 97124

Edmond_Terakopian · #4 01-14-2005, 04:19 PM

..what fantastic advice!
Why they can't write the upgrade properly so it runs on SP2 amazes me!

Edmond

JonyDirk · #5 01-17-2005, 05:27 PM

UPDATE:

LaCie has e-mailed that since I don't have SP1 anymore I can send in my drives to them and they will flash the firmware upgrade.

Egads...it feels like 1985!

Oh well...I'll try to figure out something else. Looking and posting all over the net at various sites, but people aren't being too encouraging. As we know, these are $500 drives! You think there'd be an easier solution....

Randy_Brister · #6 01-20-2005, 11:48 AM

Let me echo Edmond's warning on the LaCie Big Discs. I bought two last Feb and BOTH drives failed within 30 days. LaCie was a huge PITA to deal with. I ended up sending both drives back and told AMEX I wouldn't pay; AMEX sided with me. The LaCie drives are a crash just waiting to happen. I wouldn't trust them under any circumstances.

Randy

Gary_Voth · #7 02-18-2005, 11:32 AM

Some of LaCie's large disks need firmware upgrades for SP2.

Per Randy's post, we purchased a number of LaCie drives for a project about 6-9 months ago, and had several fail as Randy described. LaCie acknowledged a problem in some production runs and replaced the drives for us. Newer drives have worked fine since. Just FYI...