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- First reviewOctober 6, 2015
- Last reviewOctober 6, 2015
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ElectronsMustFlow's Reviews
Store up to 5TB of media on this Seagate Backup Plus STDT5000100 external hard drive, which features Protect, Save and Share features that enable simple integration with social networking sites and provide comprehensive data management.
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5TB HD doesn't PASS Seagate's OWN SeaTools test!!
on October 6, 2015
Posted by: ElectronsMustFlow
Verified Purchase:Yes
I bought (2) 5TB STDT5000100 external USB pc harddrives 18 Aug 2015. With the increase in capacity, storage reliability, track shingling (which is new to me, I can't keep up with all the advances), and heat/enclosure issues I have a new concern and I am wondering if anyone else has done the same and knows/found an answer or solution.
Before I put a new drive into service I do a full format and use test software to determine the soundness of the drive. Formatting the drive to NTFS for Win7 has shown no issues. When I use Seagate SeaTools for Windows v1.4.02 I Identify the drive and save the info in Seagate's logfile and then I run the basic tests starting with the Short Disk Self Test, Short Generic Test, Fix All Fast Test, Fix All Long Test, and Long Generic Test.
I have ran these tests on a laptop running Win7 64bit Home Premium and a desktop running Win7 64bit Professional using the supplied power brick and cables that came with the external drives. I have run the tests in normal boot mode, Diagnostic Start mode, and Safemode. The laptop is an everyday full of software computer and the desktop is new with a clean install and only some test software now installed.
The hard drives PASS Short Disk Self Test, Short Generic Test, Long Generic Test (90% of the time), and Fix All Fast Test. The hard drives FAIL at 43% of the Fix All Long test EVERYTIME on both computers. I have talked to Seagate once so far and was told that their drives should pass all the tests. I was told that if a hard drive didn't pass a test to return it for an exchange.
Also note, the drives do have a heat problem and even with Seagate stating that their drives are now good up to 60C, that statement was in DIRECT reference to INTERNAL drives and NOT external ENCLOSED drives. The S.M.A.R.T settings DO NOT reflect the new 60C setting and smart is constantly showing warnings. Seagate's own website has said that if any drive FAILS a smart sensor to back up the drive and replace it immediately (or in my case exchange it).
Now here's the kicker: I have exchanged SEVEN of these drives and am currently on my 8th and 9th drives which have also FAILED!! I had a survey from Seagate 8 September 2015 because of my phone call and at the end of the survey it asked if I had anything to say, and stated "We read all comments and are concerned with the satisfaction of our customers and products" or something to that effect.
I told them of my concern and didn't know what else to do and that I could use their help in resolving this issue. I told them that I have used other testing software and the drives passed 99% of the time. I also tried using Seagate's DOS SeaTools v2.2.3 but their bootable CD DID NOT include drivers for recognizing USB ports!! I CAN'T remove the drives from the enclosure because that would VOID the two year warranty. Just one of the reasons I bought the drive. Also, just because I NOW suspect that it is their Seagate SeaTools for Win that has a problem, WHY should I trust that guess/assumption? If Seagate's hard drive cannot PASS it's OWN test software, why should I trust the hard drive!?!
I have NEVER had this dilemma before. Why do I stick to this hard drive? 1. I bought one at a GREAT price and the other at a good price. 2. I have a 4TB Seagate external model and IT passes all the tests (Except it runs hot). 3. I can exchange them locally without incurring return shipping charges (but that won't last much longer). 4. I NEED the storage that is why I bought two.
Questions I and my friends have asked ourselves and are now putting this out to the public: 1. Is this just a bad lot or a bad model being dumped? 2. Is it the Seagate test software? 3. Do I trust a 5TB drive with my data even WITH a two year warranty? 4. Does Seagate REALLY read the survey comments, and if so, WHY haven't I heard from them (they do have my information)? 5. Is it the attitude that drives are cheap, and Seagate is about profit, so who cares about the customer's data and peace of mind?
Btw, one reason to FULL format a new drive after purchase is that virus' have been found on new drives that were NOT checked and NO ONE needs a headache to deal with that.
I'm just a computer user and I have enough troubles with OS, other hardware, software, and user fallibility/ignorance. I should be able to buy a hard drive from ANY manufacturer and have at LEAST two well-known free pieces of test software to validate the status and functioning of the drive. Am I wrong you tell me? I'm sorry for the long review. I don't know if this helps in the decision making to purchase or not. I would be interested in learning if the 6TB and 8TB drives have this problem or not. In a raid, at least there is redundancy, but for us non-raid poor people, standalone and trust is all we have.
Seagate look me up in your customer DB if you have any ideas. Those who wish to share Ideas please leave a comment. Please be polite and courteous.
Thank you all.
My Best Buy number: 2990790008
My Best Buy number: 2990790008
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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