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Forum Discussion
Seatools failing everything connected to USB docking station
The first 2 drives I tested from my readynas(with boot issues) resulted in saying that both drives had failed the short test. I thought I was in trouble then I tested it with an older version of the software which said that both drives passed! I am testing them on an external USB docking station.
Recently it look like they updated their software and I'm not sure if its even still made by seagate anymore. It looks almost like a Acronis color scheme.
Anyway, it has failed every drive I have tested it with. I thought this was suspicious so I managed to find an older copy of the seatools which was the same version I original tested the drive with.
The older version of the same software passed the hard drives and said they were perfectly fine.
My theory is that the newer software may be made by a different company who does not know how to test drives on USB docking stations.
Does anyone have any ideas on what is causing this? Apparently seagate does not have anyway to submit a possible bug in their software and their customer support does not understand how serious these false results are for their customers.
Thanks.
Recently it look like they updated their software and I'm not sure if its even still made by seagate anymore. It looks almost like a Acronis color scheme.
Anyway, it has failed every drive I have tested it with. I thought this was suspicious so I managed to find an older copy of the seatools which was the same version I original tested the drive with.
The older version of the same software passed the hard drives and said they were perfectly fine.
My theory is that the newer software may be made by a different company who does not know how to test drives on USB docking stations.
Does anyone have any ideas on what is causing this? Apparently seagate does not have anyway to submit a possible bug in their software and their customer support does not understand how serious these false results are for their customers.
Thanks.
18 Replies
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- You should connect disks to an internal SATA port in your PC for testing with SeaTools. Connecting disks via USB is not reliable.
Can you supply more info on this as I am thinking of buying a USB docking station specifically to use for testing the NAS disks?mdgm wrote: You should connect disks to an internal SATA port in your PC for testing with SeaTools. Connecting disks via USB is not reliable.
If 'Connecting disks via USB is not reliable', then a lot of people out there are using unreliable kit. I assume you mean when used for the purpose of testing with SeaTools (or other disk testing software?).
I don't doubt you, I just need to know your reasoning behind the statements!- Using USB may be hit or miss. It may/may not work. Whereas using internal SATA connectors you should be confident that good disks should be detected properly.
mdgm wrote: You should connect disks to an internal SATA port in your PC for testing with SeaTools. Connecting disks via USB is not reliable.
I have found no problem using Crystal disk info which kind of reads the S.M.A.R.T report and looks for problems.
An alternative to SeaTools is Hitachi Fitness test software. I can run the short and long drive test. I have found that works with my docking stations.
I am very upset that SeaTools new software is worse than their older one. The old one use to work perfectly fine. Seagate does not even seem to care.
Not quite clear where the problem lies here. Is it that USB contacts wear, or some USB's do not have all the connections or what?mdgm wrote: Using USB may be hit or miss. It may/may not work. Whereas using internal SATA connectors you should be confident that good disks should be detected properly.
The ReadyNAS has a USB connection for backup of the NAS box. Are you saying that for the USB on the NAS box "It may/may not work." as well? :?
I think mdgm's comment is specific to diagnostics.BaJohn wrote:
Not quite clear where the problem lies here. Is it that USB contacts wear, or some USB's do not have all the connections or what?mdgm wrote: Using USB may be hit or miss. It may/may not work. Whereas using internal SATA connectors you should be confident that good disks should be detected properly.
The ReadyNAS has a USB connection for backup of the NAS box. Are you saying that for the USB on the NAS box "It may/may not work." as well? :?
Sometimes the USB controller in the enclosure will confuse the diagnostic, and it might not properly identify the drive model. Also, some functions (particularly the ATA erase command) won't work (as it usually is limited to SATA). Even in those cases you should be able to run most tests.
I haven't downloaded Seatools in a while, so I can't confirm the OP's report that the newest version is less reliable over USB than the older ones.
An alternative to a USB enclosure is to install an eSata card in the PC. You still need to provide drive power (which you can get via a USB adapter kit like Sabrent's). SATA to eSATA cables are readily available.StephenB wrote: I think mdgm's comment is specific to diagnostics.
Yes. For diagnostics it is best to use an internal SATA port in the PC.
What about an external eSATA, which my PC has in addition to the USB 2 and 3?mdgm wrote: Yes. For diagnostics it is best to use an internal SATA port in the PC.
These external eSATA ports (2 of 'em) are 'yellow' and I believe technically are superior to the USB ports.
Just to be clear, is it ANY external ports that you 'object to' (presumable because of controllers), or just USB controllers (and then only some)?
Apologies about 'labouring' the point(s) as I am trying and failing to provide questions which get an answer that satisfies my quest to fully understand the problem(s).- eSATA would be better than USB ,but still internal SATA ports in the PC would be the most likely method to work.
- eSATA is completely identical with SATA, it just uses a different connector.
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