SimpleTech 320GB ext USB HD

DaneBrooke · 06-25-2008, 08:58 PM

FYI - hardware works fine. Comes with useless software (the entire point of a backup is to be able to perform a *restore* and the restore functionality of the s/w is below poor.)

Question: What backup/restore software do you recommend?

Cheers, Dane

MrChooks · 06-25-2008, 09:30 PM

I had the exact same problem with a Maxtor oneTouch -hardware seemed fine but the software sux -

I got some great advice / help from Linderman and his colleagues at TSF. (see an extract of the thread / postings below).

Looks like the problem with weak back up software is endemic to the external HDD suppliers.

I was advised to get hold of a copy of xxClone and to ditch the software included with the HDD.

There were other back up software programs suggested as well - so maybe you could look at the thread and do a comparison for which one suits your needs

linderman
Moderator, Hardware Team

Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 12,383
OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro

My System

Re: Maxtor OneTouch 111 Problems

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yeah I must agree with you and Eric >>>> I too suspect the maxtor software is "weak" and useless

I would wipe the drive clean with Killdisk >>>>> then repartition the drive and reformat the drive this would get rid of the maxtor software for good

you should install xxclone on the "C" drive of your system then do your back-ups

you may be able to wipe out the maxtor software by just reformatting the drive ????? not sure
__________________

04-30-2008, 08:47 AM #3 (permalink)
MrChooks
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 54
OS: Windows 2000

Re: Maxtor OneTouch 111 Problems

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think I may have found a solution for my Maxtor one touch 111 problem in an article by Eric Hanson on About.com.

I have quoted the relevant part of the article below.

In essence - Eric suggests that the problem lies with the software provided with the drive and that by changing the software - problems disappear.

Unfortunately there is no link to Eric & he doesn't say where he loaded the replacement software - so my question is where should I load the replacement software. The Maxtor external drive comes with the "problematic" software loaded on it. - So do I install xXClone on to the Maxtor - or do I load it on to my computer incase HDD??

Any suggestions / comments welcome pls

Extract of Review of Maxtor OneTouch by Eric Hanson

Problem with Retrospect Express HD Backup Software
The one problem I had with the OneTouch III was the included backup software: Retrospect Express HD. Buggy at best, downright useless at worse, the 1.1.127 version of Express HD offered a lot of interesting features, but failed over 50% of the time to complete scheduled backups or to update correctly when in the midst of a forced backup. I could not get the software to operate in duplicate mode (where Express HD copies the files over directly to the drive instead of storing them in a backup file) and there were times when evening opening the software would cause programs to crash. Fortunately, if you have other backup software options available (I switched to the backup application provided by Microsoft with Windows XP) you can still use this drive, but Maxtor should either update the included software to the 2.0 version (which costs $20 when purchased from Retrospect-maker EMC Insignia) or include another backup solution with their drive.

Conclusion
Despite the problems with the included backup software, the Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition is a strong backup solution with a good number of options. If you’ve got a large number of projects that take up a lot of space, the OneTouch’s 1 TB capacity should fit the bill nicely, while the option to convert it into a 500 GB drive and gain the benefit of automatic mirroring on two drives will those more nervous about data loss sleep a little easier at night. Maxtor’s drive administration utility makes it simple to make changes to the drive itself and although the included backup software has numerous problems, other options are available to make this drive worthwhile. If you've got another piece of backup software available, this drive is definitely recommended.

DaneBrooke · 06-26-2008, 11:03 AM

Thanks!

06-25-2008, 08:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
DaneBrooke Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle! Posts: 68 OS: Win2000sp4+ My System	SimpleTech 320GB ext USB HD FYI - hardware works fine. Comes with useless software (the entire point of a backup is to be able to perform a restore and the restore functionality of the s/w is below poor.) Question: What backup/restore software do you recommend? Cheers, Dane __________________ Dane Brooke Seattle!

06-25-2008, 09:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
MrChooks Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 249 OS: Windows XP Home SP 3 My System	Re: SimpleTech 320GB ext USB HD I had the exact same problem with a Maxtor oneTouch -hardware seemed fine but the software sux - I got some great advice / help from Linderman and his colleagues at TSF. (see an extract of the thread / postings below). Looks like the problem with weak back up software is endemic to the external HDD suppliers. I was advised to get hold of a copy of xxClone and to ditch the software included with the HDD. There were other back up software programs suggested as well - so maybe you could look at the thread and do a comparison for which one suits your needs linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,383 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System Re: Maxtor OneTouch 111 Problems -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- yeah I must agree with you and Eric >>>> I too suspect the maxtor software is "weak" and useless I would wipe the drive clean with Killdisk >>>>> then repartition the drive and reformat the drive this would get rid of the maxtor software for good you should install xxclone on the "C" drive of your system then do your back-ups you may be able to wipe out the maxtor software by just reformatting the drive ????? not sure __________________ 04-30-2008, 08:47 AM #3 (permalink) MrChooks Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 54 OS: Windows 2000 Re: Maxtor OneTouch 111 Problems -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think I may have found a solution for my Maxtor one touch 111 problem in an article by Eric Hanson on About.com. I have quoted the relevant part of the article below. In essence - Eric suggests that the problem lies with the software provided with the drive and that by changing the software - problems disappear. Unfortunately there is no link to Eric & he doesn't say where he loaded the replacement software - so my question is where should I load the replacement software. The Maxtor external drive comes with the "problematic" software loaded on it. - So do I install xXClone on to the Maxtor - or do I load it on to my computer incase HDD?? Any suggestions / comments welcome pls Extract of Review of Maxtor OneTouch by Eric Hanson Problem with Retrospect Express HD Backup Software The one problem I had with the OneTouch III was the included backup software: Retrospect Express HD. Buggy at best, downright useless at worse, the 1.1.127 version of Express HD offered a lot of interesting features, but failed over 50% of the time to complete scheduled backups or to update correctly when in the midst of a forced backup. I could not get the software to operate in duplicate mode (where Express HD copies the files over directly to the drive instead of storing them in a backup file) and there were times when evening opening the software would cause programs to crash. Fortunately, if you have other backup software options available (I switched to the backup application provided by Microsoft with Windows XP) you can still use this drive, but Maxtor should either update the included software to the 2.0 version (which costs $20 when purchased from Retrospect-maker EMC Insignia) or include another backup solution with their drive. Conclusion Despite the problems with the included backup software, the Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition is a strong backup solution with a good number of options. If you’ve got a large number of projects that take up a lot of space, the OneTouch’s 1 TB capacity should fit the bill nicely, while the option to convert it into a 500 GB drive and gain the benefit of automatic mirroring on two drives will those more nervous about data loss sleep a little easier at night. Maxtor’s drive administration utility makes it simple to make changes to the drive itself and although the included backup software has numerous problems, other options are available to make this drive worthwhile. If you've got another piece of backup software available, this drive is definitely recommended.

06-26-2008, 11:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
DaneBrooke Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle! Posts: 68 OS: Win2000sp4+ My System	Re: SimpleTech 320GB ext USB HD Thanks! __________________ Dane Brooke Seattle!