Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk frustration

Another update. Everything has gone swimmingly with the data transfers as I have now almost filled the 2TB. Still not sure what is the best transfer method for me, but I continue to use the provided USB 3.0/2.0 adapter, instead of the Firewire 800. I might just return that adapter.

RJ

Hello, I had the same problem, but I found a possible solution, it was at the seagate site, but in spanish.

There say that you can download a program for mac which for non sleep the hard drive seagate goflex.

The site is the following:

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=207851&NewLan g=es

In this page you can find the step No.2 where say this (you can clic it to download the dmg file):

Descargue el archivo DMG incluido con la utilidad de inhabilitación del modo de suspensión de FreeAgent Go en su escritorio.

good look.

This is actually the program I mentioned earlier as available on the Seagate site. Being three years old it might not work on newer drives.

As I said, one can have a look at what is inside the package (either by opening the package contents or by using QuickLook after installing the Suspicious Package plugin). It shows two scripts that are simple to read. It seems to me that they temporarily install a driver kext, issue the instruction "sleep 10", and then remove the kext.

I feel dubious about the "sleep 10" instruction. I don't know the syntax of the language that's being used. But I would have expected that instruction to set the sleep to 10 minutes (probably), and that to disable the drive sleep (transferring sleep control to Energy Saver) I would have guessed "sleep 0" would be needed.

Still, I'm no expert and one can always try.

I had the same problems everyone else had. I'm sort of a Mac newbie and had to twice visit the Genius Bar about this issue; of course, the problem wouldn't replicate itself there (although, they are lovely folks and I ended up learning some helpful other stuff). They performed a system reinstall, etc. Then I saw Vinnie's helpful tip about the adapter. I purchased it today and am cautiously optimistic.

So far, the problem hasn't reappeared in several experiments. I'm using the Firewire connection -- the computer's boot up time is noticeably faster, and 2x clicking the GoFlex icon yields its opening up much quicker. I ran a Time Machine backup a few minutes ago and it calculated faster than it has in days and backed up like a charm. (Also -- I also downloaded and installed "Keep Drive Spinning" prior to the adapter purchase, and that didn't seem to help but maybe it's adding to the functionality I'm experiencing now, who knows. 🙂) FWIW, I live in the Los Angeles-area and Best Buy had it for $19.99 -- not sure how much/if their prices fluctuate elsewhere.

Honestly, this was the third SeaGate Corp product-induced grip-and-sweat-and-panic that I've had in five months and if I weren't out of work, I'd have purchased a different hard drive already (this drive is replacing a different model). But so far, so good -- thank you all for your recommendations!

Schmarley,

Thanks for the update. I actually returned my Firewire adapter yesterday after the data transfer speeds were faster through the USB 3.0 adapter. I still have no idea why this is the case, seeing as how Mac can't take advantage of the USB 3.0. I also returned it because the problem had seemed to go away. Of course, last night I had a hang and forced restart. Then I did another big transfer with no hang up. It is maddening how inconsistent the problem is. Perhaps I should have stuck with the slower speeds of the Firewire in exchange for more stability. But I would be interested in hearing what others think about this.

And Schmarley, since you have both adapter, will you do a test of data transfer rates using both adapters and post the speeds? You can use Activity Monitor to see speeds or download MBBench.

Maybe I got a bad Firewire adapter or maybe the speeds just aren't that good. I look forward to your findings.

Thanks,

RJ

I recently bought a 3tb goflex on a business trip abroad, and it's having the same problem on my imac. my intention is to put all my hd movies on the drive and connect it to my media player. so when the data transfers are done, i'll simply eject and disconnect the drive. i just hope that this problem doesn't happen when it's connected to my media player! it's a wd tv live hub.

Please let us know how that goes. I too have a WDTV Live Hub but have not connected any external drives yet. I actually returned the Seagate GoFlex drive and replaced it with a 2.5TB WD Elements. It is just a huge drive to dump archived video data so I need no bells and whistles. I was hopefuly the Segate would have been my entry into only using those drives and swapping them easily in/out of the adapter. Too bad the crashing issue persisted and Seagate customer service is no help at all. Too bad:(

Ooooh!

I finally be sure that this is not my personal problem by this discussions!

But my solution is more easy.

When I find my iMac was HANGED, TURN the HD OFF, and the system instantly become OK,

and ALL app are normal (like FINDER)

No more need to Restart iMac manauly.

TRY IT!

PS. I plug the HD to an outlet with power switch.

I added a external hardisk (Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex DESK 2TB by USB 3.0 dock) with iMac 27" (Core i5, 16G RAM).

I like the HD to be Time Machine, but now I like to refund from COSTCO...

if NO ANSWER.

Update!

I change the dock from USB 3.0 to FireWire 800, and all problems are gone!

Reboot is OK!

No more hanging!

External HD AutoPower is OK!

So, the USB 3.0 dock seem be the key.

HunterChen,

How do you change the dock from USB 3.0 to FIrewire 800? The enclosed cable only works with USB 3.0 and 2.0 right? Do you use any adaptor?

Thanks!

Bill -

I went thru the same issues as you did...everything...even went thru Seagate shipping me 2 new GoFlex drives. And I found the issue. It is a matter of the USB plug losing just about 0.5% of power to itself so it undocks the drive. Really odd. It can be resolved inone of 2 ways:

1) Contact Seagate and informthem of your issues and have them send you a replacement GoFlex for Mac drive. It will come with the 800 firewire and that will solve your issue.

or the easier route...

2) go get yourself a powered USB hub ($8-$40 depending on the name and # of hubs). Plug that baby into the power outlet, plug it into your Mac, plug the Seagate drive into the hub and viola!....constant power to the hub so it won't undock.

I have the Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 3TB and it is locking up the iMac just like everyone else. I purchased a powered USB hub and put the Seagate on it. It still hangs. Pretty annoying when I'm trying to burn DVDs. I have a powered hub on my windows machine and I'll try swapping them. If that doesn't change anything, I try calling Seagate and se if they will swap it out for a GoFlex for Mac drive.

Last option - take it back to Costco.

I had a similar problem, or it was even the same. Question: Is the 3 TB drive with USB 3 or USB 2 connection. I had bought at Costco the ext. HD which had USB 3 connection. I thought:USB 3 must be an improved version, what else? But many improvements are not just that, they make things worse. I found out straight from Segate that USB 3 is not compatible with Macintosh. Not even my son knew about it and at the time he still worked for Apple as Consultant since 8 years. I love Apple products and I'm with them since 1993, but I hate their excellence in silence with anything that could splash some dirt on their coat.

Take the drive back to Costco is the best solution. If you send it in to Seagate, all you will receive in return is a refurbished drive.

Hope I didn't tell you an old story that you knew already. I hope that I could help. I'm looking myself for some answers on an unrelated problem.

Following up on my last post. I swapped the new USB hub with an older one that I had on my Windows box and the problem got worse. So, the hub does make a difference. Just haven't got one that fixes everything.

Since I have everythign already backed up and isolated, I figured I'd take the chance on the "Keep Drive Spinning" solution mentioned earlier. Setting it at 120 seconds did not completely fix the problem. This morning, I tuned it down to 60 seconds and so far, no hangs. Not sure what will happen tomorrow after the computer sleeps or after a reboot.

I'll probably limp it along until I can find a different 3TB that I can use on my iMac for about the same price.

heide-frankfurt,

It was the Costco USB3 3TB drive. Sounds like you got the same one. I agree with your statement that I'd probably get back a refurb so I'll give up on calling Seagate. It will go back to Costco once I get a replacement and transfer my data off of it.