Seagate ST31500341AS 1.5TB

captain wrote:

Update on the expansion. It's now been over 48 hours without access to our data, just since "expansion" began, (over a week since I started swapping out drives) and the front panel reads: Expanding... Expansion: 57.5% This is pretty absurd, but what else can I do but continue to wait and pray that this doesn't take even MORE than another two whole days? Maybe we'll be able to get back to work by Monday. Re: the new drive firmware: 1) Did someone post a URL? I don't see it. (Ok, I see the seagate forum thread URL, but not a SOLUTION FOR READYNAS USERS - is there a ReadyNAS solution that will flash the firmware in place in the ReadyNAS? I, like many others run an all Mac shop, with no Intel boxes that take a SATA drive internally.) 2) Is flashing the firmware on the drives going to wipe out the data, requiring a complete backup and restore and another week of downtime? To WHAT can I back up 2+TB of data anyway??? It seems that owning a ReadyNAS requires one to own TWO ReadyNASes. <vent> Would it be completely inappropriate for me to begin screaming obscenities now? Am I the only one who is ready to pour thermite onto the ReadyNAS and laugh maniacally as it melts into a pool of much more reliable slag? </vent> ;-)

1. This post has instructions on how you can get the firmware:
http://forums.seagate.com/stx/board/mes ... 3116#M3116
I am still waiting for mine.

2. The firmware upgrade may not wipe out the data, but I can't know for sure. Just flash one drive at a time and even if the drive is wiped, you shouldn't loose any data on your RAID.

However, owning a ReadyNAS does require you to own TWO ReadyNAS'es, or at least some other backup device. I have an off-site mirror of my data and it has saved my butt at least once because the ReadyNAS has completely failed at rebuilding a volume after a failed disk. Such is life.