LaCie 301296U Big Disk Extreme + 2TB Big eSATA/USB 2.0 External Hard Drive

when I would use this drive with the esata it would go 2 sleep & not come back. This caused my computer 2 crash. I went through 2 drives before I gave up. It worked better through USB but I need something faster 4 my hd videos.

I own numerous (over 20) LaCie dual-drive external storage devices. They are normally rock solid. (These are used 2 backup disaster recovery exports of VMware vmdk files...if anyone cares) When LaCie recently released the eSATA 2TB model I was excited with the MUCH faster interface & larger capacity - so I bought 4 of them. 3 of the 4 have this same issue - they "drop connection". I have tried both eSATA & USB2 connections 2 several different computers. You can be in the middle of a transfer or just sitting there doing nothing & the device bounces - like there is an intermittent power fluctuation (they are plugges into UPSes). The host computer looses the device 4 about 5-8 seconds - long enough 4 the file transfer 2 fail. In other words, they are as useful as doorstops. Don't misunderstand me - this is NOT typical of the LaCie line as I have never experienced this issue before with their products. I have also not yet opened one of these 2 see if there is a loose connection as that would void the warranty & I am trying 2 exchange these with LaCie. I will update once this process is complete.

The drive worked 100% until 3 weeks ago, when the purple light flashed 4 10 minutes before my PC (Vista) would detect it. At first, I thought it was a USB driver problem, but luckily backed up all my files from the LaCie onto a Buffalo NAS.
For the last week, the drive does not boot at all anymore. The purple light flickers, but none of my PC's or laptops can bring it back 2 life. Since LaCie's customer support is non-existent & the warrantee expired after one year (2 months ago), I just ordered a Western Digital 1TB external hard drive.
My new philosophy: Since these drives are so unreliable & I need 2 back up my files onto the NAS anyway, why not get the cheapest.
BTW, none of my WD or buffalo systems have ever failed (4 years & counting).

Have this drive set up as my main boot drive on a PowerMac G5. Six months so far with no problems. Quiet & fast. Have used other Lacie drives in the past with good luck.

With eSATA 3Gbits 4 blazing fast speed & USB 2.0 4 universal connectivity, the Big Disk Extreme+ is designed 4 professional use on PC/Mac. Get enormous capacity & a transparent, built-in RAID 0 array with no configuration 4 superior performance. Ideal 4 high-definition audio, video editing, SD video & 2D/3D imaging, eSATA 3Gbits can reach impressive burst transfer rates of up 2 115-125MB/s . The bundled EMC Retrospect Express software provides advanced backup management & data restoration (Windows/Mac). Formatting is now quick & easy with the exclusive LaCie Setup Assistant. The aluminum d2 design draws heat away from the internal disk 4 natural cooling & it has a thermoregulated, progressive smart fan 4 keeping it safe & quiet. This sturdy, ergonomically designed mega storage solution can be stacked, rackmounted or stood upright.