Comments on: Seagate FreeAgent Desk and Go Hard Drives for Mac Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:08:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Pat http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-47241 Pat Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:36:03 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-47241 Did anyone find a way to resolve the not mounting issue? Did anyone find a way to resolve the not mounting issue?

]]> By: Network adapter for your USB drive – Seagate FreeAgent DockStar — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-45432 Network adapter for your USB drive – Seagate FreeAgent DockStar — The Gadgeteer Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:45:47 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-45432 [...] FreeAgent DockStar is made especially for the Seagate FreeAgent Go external hard drive. It’s a special docking cradle that connects to your home network via an [...] [...] FreeAgent DockStar is made especially for the Seagate FreeAgent Go external hard drive. It’s a special docking cradle that connects to your home network via an [...]

]]> By: Seagate FreeAgent Theater Review — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-41853 Seagate FreeAgent Theater Review — The Gadgeteer Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:55:03 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-41853 [...] formatted to the player’s specifications, so you’re not stuck with only using Seagate FreeAgent Go drives.  I did plug in several different disk and thumb drives and it worked fine, but I [...] [...] formatted to the player’s specifications, so you’re not stuck with only using Seagate FreeAgent Go drives.  I did plug in several different disk and thumb drives and it worked fine, but I [...]

]]> By: Barnston http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-41123 Barnston Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:24:20 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-41123 I bought a FreeAgent 1Tb desk 'Mac' version yesterday. It mounted onto my 2007 iMac without problems, and I even tested things by putting the iMac to sleep and also shut it down; the FreeAgent mounted after each of these 'tests' last night. However, after shutting off my iMac overnight, the FreeAgent would not mount at all this morning despite the light being on and it humming away. The iMac simply would not see it, despite every attempt (power off, unplugging Firewire etc etc etc) Utterly rubbish product, in my view. My experience accords with others in this thread - there is a siginificant risk that this thing won't work reliably on a Mac. Fortunately I took the unit back this morning (to PC World...:-(( ) and have already got a refund from the retailer. Interesting that these units were 'reduced to clear' at £79.87 in PC World. I wonder why.......................... I'll stick with WD products - occasionally a bit temperamental but my MyBook is still going strong 2 years on. I bought a FreeAgent 1Tb desk ‘Mac’ version yesterday. It mounted onto my 2007 iMac without problems, and I even tested things by putting the iMac to sleep and also shut it down; the FreeAgent mounted after each of these ‘tests’ last night.

However, after shutting off my iMac overnight, the FreeAgent would not mount at all this morning despite the light being on and it humming away. The iMac simply would not see it, despite every attempt (power off, unplugging Firewire etc etc etc)

Utterly rubbish product, in my view. My experience accords with others in this thread – there is a siginificant risk that this thing won’t work reliably on a Mac.

Fortunately I took the unit back this morning (to PC World…:-(( ) and have already got a refund from the retailer. Interesting that these units were ‘reduced to clear’ at £79.87 in PC World. I wonder why……………………..

I’ll stick with WD products – occasionally a bit temperamental but my MyBook is still going strong 2 years on.

]]> By: Daniel http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-38399 Daniel Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:00:49 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-38399 Hi everyone, I've had a similar problem with my 500Gb FreeAgent drive. Does anyone have a solution for retrieving the data off the drive before reformatting - open source (free) data recovery software, maybe? I've downloaded trial versions, which can see the data on my external free agent. Why can't my mac mount the drive!?! Does reformatting the drive really work, or will I have the same problem in a month or two? Hi everyone,

I’ve had a similar problem with my 500Gb FreeAgent drive. Does anyone have a solution for retrieving the data off the drive before reformatting – open source (free) data recovery software, maybe?
I’ve downloaded trial versions, which can see the data on my external free agent. Why can’t my mac mount the drive!?!

Does reformatting the drive really work, or will I have the same problem in a month or two?

]]> By: Rob Tillotson http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-37624 Rob Tillotson Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:12:44 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-37624 Use the "Disk Utility" application found in the "Utilities" subfolder of Applications. Select the drive in the left column, and then the Erase tab on the right and you should find all the formatting options you need. (You should select the HFS+ Journaled file system, if it's not the default.) Use the “Disk Utility” application found in the “Utilities” subfolder of Applications. Select the drive in the left column, and then the Erase tab on the right and you should find all the formatting options you need. (You should select the HFS+ Journaled file system, if it’s not the default.)

]]> By: BQ http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-37615 BQ Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:56:32 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-37615 Hello, wondering if anyone has experienced this one... Just bought a Free Agent Desk 1.5TB not for the mac. The sales rep at Future Shop mentioned that I had to download some software from Seagates website to reformat the drive for mac use once I got home. No luck on Seagates site, did I get rooked by the rep for a commission, or is there a way to format the drive that I am missing? Help... BQ Hello, wondering if anyone has experienced this one…
Just bought a Free Agent Desk 1.5TB not for the mac. The sales rep at Future Shop mentioned that I had to download some software from Seagates website to reformat the drive for mac use once I got home.
No luck on Seagates site, did I get rooked by the rep for a commission, or is there a way to format the drive that I am missing?

Help…
BQ

]]> By: Erick http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-37370 Erick Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:53:59 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-37370 I've had my FA 1.5T up for about a week, then powered it off this past weekend and now it won't mount. It does click and the light throbs, but nothing else. Very disappointing. Any ideas? I’ve had my FA 1.5T up for about a week, then powered it off this past weekend and now it won’t mount. It does click and the light throbs, but nothing else. Very disappointing. Any ideas?

]]> By: Father’s Day gift idea - Seagate FreeAgent Go Chrome SE — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-37325 Father’s Day gift idea - Seagate FreeAgent Go Chrome SE — The Gadgeteer Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:04:53 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-37325 [...] These are great little drives because they are virtually silent. I reviewed the Mac version of the FreeAgent Go and loved it. Get one for your Pops, he’ll love it [...] [...] These are great little drives because they are virtually silent. I reviewed the Mac version of the FreeAgent Go and loved it. Get one for your Pops, he’ll love it [...]

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-37313 Julie Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:54:27 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-37313 @Lkrishna The lock slot is for a Kensington lock which you would purchase separately. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Security_Slot @Lkrishna The lock slot is for a Kensington lock which you would purchase separately. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Security_Slot

]]> By: Lkrishna http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-37308 Lkrishna Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:10:54 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-37308 I have purchased Seagate Free Desk 1TB. I want to know why we use Lock slot for 1TB And how to use it. Please help me, regarding this. I have purchased Seagate Free Desk 1TB.
I want to know why we use Lock slot for 1TB And how to use it. Please help me, regarding this.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-36108 Julie Mon, 25 May 2009 19:50:00 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-36108 @john Sure you can, but it won't have a Firewire 400 and 800 connections. @john Sure you can, but it won’t have a Firewire 400 and 800 connections.

]]> By: john http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-36104 john Mon, 25 May 2009 18:48:14 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-36104 just one thing. last i saw in dixons T5 LHR. the mac 320gb version of the go was £119. the Pc 500gb was £77. surely i can just buy the pc version and reformat it in disc utility to fat 32, more gb for less same product????????? deserves a mention julie...... just one thing. last i saw in dixons T5 LHR. the mac 320gb version of the go was £119.

the Pc 500gb was £77.

surely i can just buy the pc version and reformat it in disc utility to fat 32, more gb for less same product?????????

deserves a mention julie……

]]> By: Deal of the Day - Seagate FreeAgent Go — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-35690 Deal of the Day - Seagate FreeAgent Go — The Gadgeteer Tue, 19 May 2009 21:13:24 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-35690 [...] I sound like an infomericial?) You also get a Free Brother portable labeler and FREE shipping. I reviewed this drive a few months ago and really liked it. It’s a bit larger than some portable drives, [...] [...] I sound like an infomericial?) You also get a Free Brother portable labeler and FREE shipping. I reviewed this drive a few months ago and really liked it. It’s a bit larger than some portable drives, [...]

]]> By: Win a green Seagate FreeAgent Go portable hard drive! — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-33878 Win a green Seagate FreeAgent Go portable hard drive! — The Gadgeteer Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:50:50 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-33878 [...] reviewed the Mac version of the FreeAgent Go drive and liked it a lot. To win one of your [...] [...] reviewed the Mac version of the FreeAgent Go drive and liked it a lot. To win one of your [...]

]]> By: Gary W http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-31692 Gary W Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:11:50 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-31692 Forgot to add... the "brushed aluminum" on the Desk model looks and feels more like plastic to me. Forgot to add… the “brushed aluminum” on the Desk model looks and feels more like plastic to me.

]]> By: Gary W http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-31691 Gary W Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:03:58 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-31691 Both the Desk and Go versions simply don't work properly with Macs. They often go to sleep at will, usually at intervals of between five and fifteen minutes, even when the computer is wide awake. Totally erratic. Sometimes, they don't wake at all after one of these unscheduled, random sleeps, forcing a restart. Please beware and check this carefully if you buy one of these badly designed drives. Apart from that, the plastic finish of the Desk version looks rather cheap to me, but that's just my opinion. Both the Desk and Go versions simply don’t work properly with Macs.
They often go to sleep at will, usually at intervals of between five and fifteen minutes, even when the computer is wide awake. Totally erratic. Sometimes, they don’t wake at all after one of these unscheduled, random sleeps, forcing a restart.
Please beware and check this carefully if you buy one of these badly designed drives.
Apart from that, the plastic finish of the Desk version looks rather cheap to me, but that’s just my opinion.

]]> By: Irene King http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-30911 Irene King Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:46:30 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-30911 Well! I finally found the party! My Freeagent Go is also about a couple or so weeks old, and after turning off the Mac for a weekend, the drive doesn't mount. Just like a couple of others, the System Profiler sees it, but not even the Seagate utility recognizes it. (odd, huh?). I have tried both the USB and Firewire. However, I will take it into work tomorrow and see if I format it with the Windows computer. If that works and the Mac can then see it, I'll report back here. Well! I finally found the party! My Freeagent Go is also about a couple or so weeks old, and after turning off the Mac for a weekend, the drive doesn’t mount. Just like a couple of others, the System Profiler sees it, but not even the Seagate utility recognizes it. (odd, huh?). I have tried both the USB and Firewire. However, I will take it into work tomorrow and see if I format it with the Windows computer. If that works and the Mac can then see it, I’ll report back here.

]]> By: Mike http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-30777 Mike Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:45:09 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-30777 My 1TB drive was working perfectly for about two weeks and now it suddenly is no longer being recognized on my MacBook Pro or MacMini (both brand new as well). I searched online an apparently this is a common problem and the drive is now useless. My 1TB drive was working perfectly for about two weeks and now it suddenly is no longer being recognized on my MacBook Pro or MacMini (both brand new as well). I searched online an apparently this is a common problem and the drive is now useless.

]]> By: mimiK http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-30716 mimiK Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:26:23 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-30716 In the morning when I awaken my iMac 24" , I receive a message that I have removed an external device in the wrong way. I did not remove the drive! I have to unplug and replug the drive. It takes a while for my Mac to recognize the FreeAgent. I am not pleased! In the morning when I awaken my iMac 24″ , I receive a message that I have removed an external device in the wrong way. I did not remove the drive! I have to unplug and replug the drive. It takes a while for my Mac to recognize the FreeAgent. I am not pleased!

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-29442 Julie Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:43:08 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-29442 @Cliff: It doesn't show up in the Disk Utility? If not, try another cable. If you haven't rebooted your MBP, try that too. If it still doesn't work, it is probably defective. @Cliff: It doesn’t show up in the Disk Utility? If not, try another cable. If you haven’t rebooted your MBP, try that too. If it still doesn’t work, it is probably defective.

]]> By: Cliff http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-29439 Cliff Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:38:42 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-29439 i received my new FreeAgent Desk for Mac (1.5 Tb) last night. It is not recognized by my MacBook Pro, except that in System Profiler it's listed as an unknown component. Has anyone else encountered this problem? i received my new FreeAgent Desk for Mac (1.5 Tb) last night. It is not recognized by my MacBook Pro, except that in System Profiler it’s listed as an unknown component. Has anyone else encountered this problem?

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-28854 Julie Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:54:53 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-28854 Megan: Out of the box, I believe the Seagate Free Agent Go for Mac was formatted with the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. Your Windows PC can't read that format. So, the thing to do is to reformat the drive using Disk Utility as MS-DOS (FAT32). Then both computers will happily read and write to the Free Agent Go drive. Megan:
Out of the box, I believe the Seagate Free Agent Go for Mac was formatted with the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. Your Windows PC can’t read that format. So, the thing to do is to reformat the drive using Disk Utility as MS-DOS (FAT32). Then both computers will happily read and write to the Free Agent Go drive.

]]> By: Megan http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-28850 Megan Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:38:05 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-28850 Hi Julie - I just purchased a Seagate Free Agent Go for the MAC from the Apple Store. My old laptop is a PC, so I have a lot of files that I want to save and transfer to my MAC. The sales rep told me that I would be able to use the Go for the MAC with my PC to transfer and save these files. However, when I use the USB connection with the PC the external hard drive does not show up. It works fine when I connect to my MAC. Do you know whether the Go for the MAC actually does work with a PC and if so how I can get my PC to recognize the connection? Thank you. Hi Julie – I just purchased a Seagate Free Agent Go for the MAC from the Apple Store. My old laptop is a PC, so I have a lot of files that I want to save and transfer to my MAC. The sales rep told me that I would be able to use the Go for the MAC with my PC to transfer and save these files. However, when I use the USB connection with the PC the external hard drive does not show up. It works fine when I connect to my MAC. Do you know whether the Go for the MAC actually does work with a PC and if so how I can get my PC to recognize the connection? Thank you.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/comment-page-1/#comment-28752 Julie Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:07:01 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/15/seagate_freeagent_desk_and_go_hard_drives_for_mac_review/#comment-28752 Maijik: I agree with you. I sure wish they had more options for the dock as it's a real nice feature that is a shame to waste. Maijik:
I agree with you. I sure wish they had more options for the dock as it’s a real nice feature that is a shame to waste.

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