LaCie 500GB (Porsche) External HDD

[cclement]

Does this drive go into sleep mode and then wake up and be seen by the 622 when you go to manage it? Have you tried turning it off until you need it again?

I'll be honest, I don't know if it goes into a sleep mode. I just leave it on 24/7. Maybe I'll try to watch something off it tonight and see if it "wakes up"

 

[shanewalker]

My concern w/ leaving this model on 24/7 is that its fanless (I think) and I worry about overheating. Maybe that's just me being paranoid...I have drives I leave on all the time (but they have fans).

I say turn it off when you don't need it, just in case. Just don't go crazy turning it on/off a LOT, increasing the risk of hot/cold platter issues and the encouragement of drive failure that way.

 

[Dirtydan]

Thanks for the replies. This is info from LaCie and as I read it the 500gb model probalbly has a fan. Features
• Spacious storage capacities up to 500GB
• Fast data transfer rates: up to 480Mbits/s (with
Hi-Speed USB 2.0)
• Lightweight, durable design
• Simple setup, easy to use
• Compatible with Windows and Mac OS
• Ultra-quiet, fanless operation
(160GB, 250GB, 320GB)

 

[RedSavina]

You are correct - the 500GB model has a fan. I've read some user reviews where the fan is described as being extremely quiet. The fact that it has a fan was a big part of why I chose this model.

 

[shanewalker]

Interesting. I assumed that the 500GB model was like the 320GB that I've been using...fanless.

It is VERY quiet. But good to know.

In that case, maybe, keep it on if you feel so inclined.

 

[Dirtydan]

Even with a fan, I plan on turning mine off when not using it. By the way, I just got shipping confirmation from Amazon. Now all I need to do is get a VIP 722 to replace an old 811. That way I can put my 622 in the bedroom.

 

[RedSavina]

Specifications

It arrived!
I unpacked the drive and installed it; programming transfer is in progress.

Before plugging the drive into my ViP622, I plugged it into the laptop to see what kind of drive it is. Windows XP identifies it as a "Samsung HD501LJ USB Device." The Samsung site states the following about the HD501LJ drive:

Capacity : 500 GB

Interface : Serial ATA II 3.0 Gbps

BufferMemory : 16MB

A little more research shows that Samsung warrants the drive for 36 months - hopefully that won't be needed.

So far the drive is whisper quiet and has made a very solid first impression.

Cheers,
Red

 

[Dirtydan]

That is interesting, thanks for your report, and keep em comin.
Dan

 

[Dirtydan]

* Samsung HD501LJ Serial ATA Series Hard Disk Drive.
* 500GB Capacity.
* 16MB Buffer Memory.
* SATA 3.0Gbps Interface Support.
* ATA Native Command Queuing(NCQ) feature set.
* Device initiated power management.
* Staggered spin-up.
* High speed dual DSP(Digital Signal Processor) based architecture.
* ATA S.M.A.R.T compliant.
* ATA automatic acoustic mangement feature set.
* ATA 48-bit address feature.
* ATA device configuration overlay feature.
* SilentSeek.
* ImpactGuard.

I see it says "Device initiated power management"
So it must go to sleep.
This baby is on sale for $185 at Deals Direct lol

 

[RedSavina]

I see it says "Device initiated power management"
So it must go to sleep.

Yeah, I will be watching that closely.

This baby is on sale for $185 at Deals Direct lol

Such a deal! I saw the bare drive for about $120 at a few online retailers - same price as the USB model that comes with the fan. Maybe someone reading this will be in the market for the bare drive only - if so, PM me about selling the enclosure!

 

[John Kotches]

* Samsung HD501LJ Serial ATA Series Hard Disk Drive.
* 500GB Capacity.
* 16MB Buffer Memory.
* SATA 3.0Gbps Interface Support.
* ATA Native Command Queuing(NCQ) feature set.
* Device initiated power management.
* Staggered spin-up.
* High speed dual DSP(Digital Signal Processor) based architecture.
* ATA S.M.A.R.T compliant.
* ATA automatic acoustic mangement feature set.
* ATA 48-bit address feature.
* ATA device configuration overlay feature.
* SilentSeek.
* ImpactGuard.

I see it says "Device initiated power management"
So it must go to sleep.
This baby is on sale for $185 at Deals Direct lol

They aren't on sale; but they are $120 at newegg.

Cheers,

 

[RedSavina]

They aren't on sale; but they are $120 at newegg.

Cheers,

John,
I think you might have missed the point - Dirtydan found it ironic that they were "on sale" at that price.

Cheers,
Red

 

[Dirtydan]

John,
I think you might have missed the point - Dirtydan found it ironic that they were "on sale" at that price.

Cheers,
Red

Hey Red, Does that puppy have a fan? I just read a bunch more reviews and only 2 or 3 people said theirs had a fan.

 

[RedSavina]

Hey Red, Does that puppy have a fan? I just read a bunch more reviews and only 2 or 3 people said theirs had a fan.

According to what I have read, yes. I haven't cracked the case to verify and the unit is behind some other gear. I will have to get back to you on this.

 

[Dirtydan]

According to what I have read, yes. I haven't cracked the case to verify and the unit is behind some other gear. I will have to get back to you on this.

If it has a fan, there should be a round grill on the back.

 

[RedSavina]

If it has a fan, there should be a round grill on the back.

Not exactly.

I checked and there are ventilation slots on the right side, at the rear of the unit. There is a very faint breeze coming from them, but no detectable sound with a transfer in progress. There are also ventilation slots on the long edges of the underside.

 

[Dirtydan]

This is from Newegg for our model.

The quite smart-fan keeps the drive cool and silent even during heavy use. Elegant looks and LaCie quality -- where could you go wrong?

 

[rdinkel]

Ok, left unit powered up overnight as a test (I usually turn off when not in use). It apparently does go to a power-management mode as well as have an internal fan. Could not hear it running at all, but could feel it running (maybe fan?) by touching the unit--which was very cool to touch.

Here is what happened as part of my test. When I went to manage device, got the need to activate pop-up. I clicked OK. Then went to manage device again. This second time it responded immediately. So, no real issue. Either turn it off when not in use (and get the two off/on pop-ups) or leave it powered up and get a single activate pop-up.

Very pleased with the LaCie 500GB. May buy another for our second 622.

 

[Dirtydan]

Thanks rdinkel, that is some good info, can't wait to get my LaCie.

 

[parp]

Mine does not go into power management mode at all. (And I have never changed any "settings.") I have had it plugged in and running for several days.

Mine is about 8 months old, so maybe it has a different mechanism in it, which may also explain why mine isn't as quiet as everyone else's. (I can definitely hear it running louder than my 622.)

But I love it! Life is good!