GoFlex Net & GoFlex Home

[jtaylor2]

I have a GoFlex Home 1TB drive hooked up to a NetGear WNDR3700 router which is connected to a Dell Studio XPS desktop running Windows7.  When I install the GoFlex Home dashboard, the system works properly for a while.  However, when I shut down the computer and start up the next day, the GoFlex home often (but not always) seems to disconnect so that the dashboard tells me to connect the drive.  When this happens, I can't run MS Office programs, can't print from my printer that is connected to the GoFlex and obviously cannot connect to my GoFlex drive.  If I re-run the installation CD, everything works fine again until the next time.

Seagate support suggested that it is a motherboard chipset problem, but the Dell website doesn't indicate that any downloads are available.  Given that everything else on my system works fine, this doesn't seem to be the issue.

Has anybody else had this problem?  If so, how was it fixed?

[harley888]

I have the exact same problem with ITB GoFlexHome and 3 HP computers all running Windows 7.  Sometimes they connect and most times they don't.  I bought this for auto back-up and it is not coming close to doing that,  Hardware seems good but software is terrible.  Seagate technical support just tells me to reboot as I don't think they have answers.  I hope they can solve this as I would like it to work right,

[craftycraig]

I am having a problem similar to this with my Acer laptop. My problem though is that when my laptop goes to sleep and I wake it up the dashboard software asks me to reconnect the drive. I have tried disconnecting my laptop from the network and reconnecting, switching off the GoFlex and rebooting it, etc

If I fire up firefox though and access the home page directly it is there and I can drag and drop etc with no problems.

Any thoughts anyone?

[cruzor9]

I am having the same issue.  I have a HP desktop and a Dell Laptop.  When I turn them on, wake either one up, or restart them, the drive is sometimes there and sometimes not.  I have turned off the drive, the router and the computers and sometime it works.  Can not use instant back up because the software is not able to see the drive.  When I use the Dashboard, it says to connect the device, but it is connected.  

[Ocean20]

I have had this problem too.  See my post entitled "I regret buying a Goflex 1 TB Nas".  I had other problems as well as the one you mention.  I have a Toshiba Laptop running XP.  Someone from Seagate sent me a message that was poorly expressed and directed me to the following link http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=215555&NewLang=en&Hilite=seagate+...

Good luck.  I havea WIN7 Laptop as well.  When I look in to do a backup on it it tells me that I  have a certain amount of space on the Goflex disk.  When I log into the dashboard on my XP laptop it tells me that there is about 100 GB less storage on the Goflex disk.  GO FIGURE!

[DuncanMcL]

I've been having similar problems too since I set up my GoFlex Home 1Tb NAS a few days ago.  Initial installation appeared to be OK and files were uploaded  from my laptop (Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit SP2) without difficulty.  On subsequent days, however, sometimes I can see the NAS and sometimes I can't with both the Dashboard and Memeo Instant Backup telling me to connect the drive even though it's definitely connected as shown by me being able to access it through Seagate Share.  I've tried changing the IP address from one allocated by DHCP to a static address but no improvement.

I've tried a different approach though which seems to be showing some signs of success - early days yet though.  I suspect like most users of recent Windows OSs I turn off my laptop by clicking on the brown button but this of course saves the current Windows session and reinstates it when you next turn the computer on.  If instead I take the option of a full Windows shut down, restarting takes longer but at least the drive seems to be present when I do so.  I wonder if the Seagate software is being confused because if you just reinstate the previous Windows session the NAS may be in a different state (eg standby) from what Windows expects. 

Has anyone had similar experiences?  Would Seagate care to comment?

[rjccml]

This is my second day owning the goflex home. I started up my laptop HP G60 and the new drive did not appear.  I had to reinstall the dashboard.  The light was flashing orange. I found no info on that, not to say that segate is talking to the common folk.  I see several posts but no response from segate.  Do they monitor this site?  It seems hard to get support. I hope that is not the issue. 

[AshleyDonald]

Not everyone can replace a router in order to solve this problem, nor should one have to...

I am a reseller and have lost complete faith in this product, and will no longer sell nor use this as a backup solution for our client.

None of my local S.A vendors are able to provide a solution...

Seagate care to comment please?

[cruzor9]

I also use the sleep button.  I have found that if I close the dashboard and restart it, then my drive is visible again.  I stopped using the backup program, because after the initial setup, it would not see the drive again.  I even un-installed and re-installed and it still did not work.

[RyanDeming]

I have had all of the issues mentioned above. Especially Cruzor9's problem with the instant backup software not recognizing the drive. I just came back from a trip, and when I tried to access the drive, as usuall it wouldn't reconnect. When I tried reinstalling the software this time however, the instant backup software wouldn't even recognize that the drive was there. It keeps trying to backup to the D: drive partition that Lenovo put on my laptop (it only has 28 gb...). There is no way that I can see to direct the backup software to the GoFlex Home. Please help.

[firegate666]

Much time has passed but I can confirm that nothing changed.

I ihave installed the FlexHome with my MacBook and the next day nothing worked anymore.

I can see it in my shared folders, FlexAgent tells me it is there, I can ping it but I can not connect to it - sometimes.

I tried a few days working with it but now I am done and will return it so sender.

Anyone who can recommend a better device?

[akrabato]

I have the same problem with connection to my Seagate GoFlex Home 3TB.

It is connected to the local network through the router Zyxel NBG334W EE by cable.
IP address is set statically (I also used dynamic IP address before)
I mapped it as network drive in Windows XP and Windows 7.
While coping files to the drive or reading from it, sometimes it drops connection. And I can't even ping it by IP-address. Though connection restores only if I power down and power up GoFlex Home drive, but sometimes router suddenly restarts and after that connection restores. This happens very often.
I replaced firmware of the drive and the router by the new ones, but it wasn't helpful.

Is that the problem of the drive, so I should bring it to service center, or it's compatibility problem?
How can it be solved?

[AskTheLeaf]

I'd like to start by looking at the basics.

Did you try switching out the ethernet cable to see if the drive stays connected?

[sgt_spike]

I have the same problem.  Funny thing about the cable you are saying...the one I am using is the one that came with the NAS.  And, yes I have changed the cable and it still loses connection

[AskTheLeaf]

To see if you get a better result, please follow the steps outlined here and let me know what you find out:

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=219271

Additionally make sure that the device has the latest firmware installed:

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=220491

[djcalcutt]

I'll be watching this conversation too, as I too seem to have issues with the drives going off-line.

The only setting I could see, that did not set well with me, storage devices.

The status was not active.

So far, I seem to be holding the connection, after changing the status.

[sgt_spike]

I have upgraded the firmware, gave it a static IP, changed the cable (again), put it behind another router, and nothing.  This thing still drops the connection.  I reset the NAS and it works for a couple of hours, then I have to reset it again. 

[kikbxr]

Ditto,

I have had this for a year now, and had NO luck with keeping the connection whatsoever.  I have replaced the router, Run static IP, switched back to DHCP, stood on my head, etc.....

While I can always get it to work by resetting, to have to do all this is a bit intimidating for the rest of my family.  The  whole reason that I bought this was so that they had an easy way to back up their machines and would supposedly have access to their documents from the internet. 

This has to be the absolute LEAST reliable piece of hardware I have ever bought.  Guess we are all going to google for network documents and I will have to go back to walking from machine to machine every week to manually attach an external drive until I can find something that actually is reliable on a network. I can say that I will NEVER purchase another piece of hardware from this company ever.  If I could get my money back now, I would. (Of course I think it might work as a good doorstop)

[djcalcutt]

I get about four days before the drive drops, and it restores autoamtically.

Smetimes it drings my network to a halt. So I just shut everything done and reboot the whole network about once a week.

I'm trying to pin the bug down.

[djcalcutt]

I lost a drive today, had to do a hard re-start.... arg!

[sgt_spike]

If the GoFlex isnt accessed it will stay connected.  Once I start to access the drive either by iTunes or get copying photos to the drive the drive losing it's connection.

I have to search for it but Can you connect it to a computer as a external drive?

[natho]

I too have the same issues with this product. I have tried all the troubleshooting tips that I can find both on the Seagate website and the forum, but with no success.

The only way I can regain communication with my device is to reboot it (so not convenient). I cannot access the drive though the IP address in firefox or explorer, it totally drops its connection.
If I go into my router manager, the GoFlex Home is still shown under connected devices, but there is nobody home. No errors on the drive itself. VERY FRUSTRATING.

I wanted this product to be for instant backup and also a media sharing center so that I can put all my music and movies onto and access them on all of my computers and TV's. However, I cannot rely on this product as when it drops its connection, it drops it completely.

I am using a NETGEAR DGN2000 Modem Router. When it drops out, network lights on the rear of the unit still flash and show a connection is present.

This is a problem that MANY people are having and across different routers, computers and devices. This is obviously an issue with this product and NOTHING to do with the different hardware we all use and the way we set these drives up.

WHERE ARE YOU SEAGATE??? I need help with this rubbish product!!!

Are these drives putting themselves to sleep? Do they even have this function in them?

[03stage2]

I will hop on this bandwagon as well. Have tried every networking troubleshooting idea out there. IMO It has to be firmware....

Im guessing more and more will be seeing this as the 3TB and 2TB that were on sale at BB last week sold out almost immmediately...

PLEASE DO SOMETHING SEAGATE, this is obviously widespread and needs immediate attention.

[kprince1]

Well.. I as well am looking for a seat on the band wagon.. Now here is a neat twist for a product that is so drag.. How can one use the FTP feature if the drive continues to drop and you have to reboot (poweron/off) to access. We are all clearly talking about the network drop on the device...

I have change cables, added static IP, modified batch files... pulled out my hair and still no go... did I mention I read almost every post on this forum.. well that is about the only good thing so far.. meeting you people and reading your posts...

Now.. if I was FTPing at home then yes I would go to the drive and reboot.SOooooo all I need to do is drive from my destination home through traffic.. reboot and drive back I might be able to see the FTP and download or upload as the product describes you can do..

Why would I even need to turn on FTP given it dosn't work for more than a couple hours...

This device needs much more attention from Seagate to resolve or a lot of people will be tossing them out...

Wow...

[natho]

---

kprince1 wrote:

Well.. I as well am looking for a seat on the band wagon..

---

I somehow doubt that there is a band wagon big enough to fit us all on there!!!

---

kprince1 wrote:

I have change cables, added static IP, modified batch files... pulled out my hair and still no go... did I mention I read almost every post on this forum.. well that is about the only good thing so far.. meeting you people and reading your posts...

---

Agreed, but I must admit that so far I haven't found much more elaborate help on here other than 'the basics.' However i think we are all after a bit more help than just the basics. This is such a major issue and as far as I'm concerned, these products should not be allowed to be sold until this issue is fixed... It's just common sense! These forums are FULL of people who are dissatisfied with their GOFLEX products.

---

kprince1 wrote:

Now.. if I was FTPing at home then yes I would go to the drive and reboot.SOooooo all I need to do is drive from my destination home through traffic.. reboot and drive back I might be able to see the FTP and download or upload as the product describes you can do...

---

By the time you got back to where you need to be, you'd have to drive back home again and reboot... again, because it would have stopped working... (haha, but then it's not really that funny is it???)

Come on Seagate, we need answers, or even some form of comment that tells us that Seagate is actually looking into this problem...

[kprince1]

Natho...you got it..... time for an alternative I think!

[natho]

Yeah, might be. I'm currently testing out the beta upgrade to see if it improves. If it does, it might just save my GoFlex Home from finding itself in the bin... I'll let you know how it goes...

[djcalcutt]

well iv made changes to the network settings  .

ive now been running for 7 days now with no problems

just out of curiousity, what is your dns enrry for network setting?

sorry for short post, Im on my iphone

[natho]

My current LAN settings are as follows:

Obtain IP Address automatically: Yes

DNS Server 1: 192.168.0.1 (which is my modem router that the GoFlex is plugged into)

Is this similar to what you have, or am I doing something wrong?

[djcalcutt]

I use a static IP address

192.168.1.121 for GFH 1

192.168.1.122 for GFH 2

192.168.1.123 for GFH 3

and yes I use DNDS of the router.

I was origianlly usiing a DNS server of my service provider.

[kprince1]

Dj... I am using the same as you

192.168.1.123 for GFH 1

However, if I cycle the power it comes right back. Also, if I hit it a couple times with my apple tv it wakes and runs fine. It is as if a ping to the device is needed to keep the thing awake.

Checked with a couple friends and they are having the same problem with the device going to nerverland....

To me all we need is Seagate to investigate and do someothing with the sleep timere on thee device. In otherwards write a code that if a ping hits the device it wakes. It works for apple tv it has to work for other network devices such as FTP to the device or a PC on the network. Can't figure it out...

[iansaguila]

I have this for a few months now and still can't find any solution how to fix it.  I am running 3 PC's two on 7 and one in XP.

[djcalcutt]

Ive been runing a week now... no problems now.

Its seems to be only one of three drive for me.

Who know, someday, I just can't make heads or tales out of it.

[Quixotic]

I have been having the same problem and I am currently concerned all data has been lost.

For the past 3 weeks I could use the device and it would stop working after 20 minutes to a couple of hours or so of use. I would then turn it off and back on and it would function again for a period of time.

I was able to upload my data to it via the remote access and that worked pretty well, just very slow.

I then was able to share my music and photos and my Xbox was able to play the songs and see the photos for some period of time, never more than an hour or two. Then I would have to turn it off and back on and it would play again for a while.

I like all the things the device can do; I just want it to do them all the time.

Last night I could no longer see any of the folders, except when I logged in remotely. When I checked via File Explorer on Windows7 the root public folder was there but nothing underneath it.

I had a solid green light but no white light when this happened. Powering off and back on did not do any good.

I tried to hard reset, by powering off, removing the hard drive, pressing in the reset button and then powering on until the white light started flashing and then releasing the reset button.

Now All I get is a flashing amber light after it flashed green for a while. 

Is there a way to reset the firmware on this?

I am concerned all my data that I backed up, some of which I do not have on physical media, could be lost. I really want to transfer the data off the drive and was getting ready to do that. Can I use the USB port and connect to it from my computer, how about using the Ethernet port on my computer.

Any ideas on getting the data off, resetting to factory defaults, flashing a new firmware are appreciated. 

[Quixotic]

I reflashed the firmware bacl to 2.5.3 from the USB port and can now access everything. Backing it up now, it took days to upload hopefully it won't fail before I get everything saved

[charlieb]

I have similar problems with GoFlex Home losing connection.  Runs for about 2 to 3 days, then is not accessible by any method: dashboard (in fact it hangs as can't find drive), ip address, \\goflex home, and doesn't show up as the automatically mapped drives, x, y, z.  Tried pinging the fixed ip address and replies come back.  It also shows up on my DLink router map as Online.  So network and cable is working.  But no access is possible.  Have to power off and back on, then works for a while.

The drive is not hot, but appears to run all the time.  Green and white lights are on solid.  I used the DNS of the router as suggested.  Also checked for update to the software, but says it is current.

Is there a log created somewhere to see when it looses connection?

Based on other replies, if this gets worse, I could turn drive off, remove drive from Home base, insert into extra USB3 base I have, and connect directly to computer.  But I am not sure if all directories and files will be available with this method?

I will try contacting Seagate support to see if any answers, but some of you appear to have tried and found limited technical ability with telephone support people.  Will also try submitting email ticket.

Any other solutions or suggestions found by anybody yet?

[charlieb]

Update:  couldn't chat re this type of drive.  Called support.  Got technician quickly!  Understood my problem.  Tried some general things first (router sw version, goflex sw version, etc.) but all were good.  Mentioned when drive is locked up, couldn't access from iPhone either (rules out PC).

Wants me to leave drive connected to just a computer for several days, checking to see if connection is lost.  If never lost, then it might be a router problem.  If locks up, then drive has a problem.  Couldn't use my main computer, as there wouldn't be any internet access.  So used spare laptop.  Will have to suspend backups while testing.

We'll see what happens.  He gave me a reference number and said to call back with results.  If it is drive problem will then try reflashing operating system in base.  If that doesn't work, then will replace base.

He hasn't seen many complaints of this problem.  Saw one with Linksys router with older sw.  When updated, problem went away.  So if any of you are still having problem, call in and report it.  I'll keep you posted.

[sgt_spike]

Again as I reported earlier, it seems to be a problem with staying connected during I/O.  Anyone else notice this?  Not to often where I leave it alone for a few days and it stays connected.  Once I start copying to/from is where the drive loses its connection

[charlieb]

I now understand what you mean.  Yes, this last time the drive disconnected must have been during a backup as when I compare the backup size, it looks like it never finished.  That is, I use Norton Ghost 15 to do a daily backup update.  Then once a week it does a full backup.  Today was the full backup.  But instead of saving a file of size 120gb, it was only 71gb.  Plus there was an error recorded in the Ghost log.

So I will try doing a backup from my laptop every hour to see if I can get it to fail.  Thanks for the observation!  I will let you know what I find.  Might take a day or two.

[charkvibl]

Thank you all for providing solutions that worked for you.  I'm having major issues with recognition as well. What a great resource!  Would be nice if Seagate chimed in here.  Do they monitor this site or pass off the trouble shooting to its users?

[Rich Oz]

I've been reading all of the thread here and we all have the same problem, at least it seems.  Cycling the power works for me.  I have 3 PC laptops, a PC desktop, and a Mac hooked into it and all backup just fine when the GoFlex is on-line.  I tried looking at the logs in the router to see if the event that put the GoFlex into an off-line status is logged.  Couldn't find such an event within the router (I am using the router that my ISP provided).

Has anyone else looked at the log(s) within their router that may indicate why the GoFlex went off-line?  If you did, what kind of router are you using and where was thelog located?

[erin538]

So after searching so many Knowledge Base questions related to this, and using all the troubleshooting that Seagate has including (as well as some of my own): resetting my router, resetting my modem, resetting my computer, using a different computer, I found this.

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=220051&NewLang=en&Hilite=cannot+a...

My personal issue was related to not being able to get to my drive through the browser, as well as having missing data on my drive. (oh, and I turned off my drive before I detached it, and turned it back on after I plugged it in) But this was a much quicker fix than all the other things I did that didn't work. Hopefully this helps some, if not all, of you!! Pass it along!

[linuxchick]

I have a brand new goflex home 2TB, and it needs rebooting to access. I have read all these posts and have not found an answer to my problem. I see that there are many who have this issue and would like to come to a conclusion, do most of you return the drive or just put up with the problems. I do wish someone would help. 

[djcalcutt]

I have three 3TB drive on line.

I also have 3 Western Digital Live TV Streaming units and one WD Live TV hub.

The lastest firmware update on the WD Live TV device cuased the Seagate drive to go off line..

Very frustrating it was trying to view movies etc, and then nothing... even pictures, after 20 ot so pictures the drives where gones.

Anyways, rolled back the firmware in the WD devices, and I'm all good again.

so, figure that...

My suggestion would be to disconnect all other device on the home network and see if the problem persists.

[djcalcutt]

I have three 3TB drive on line.

I also have 3 Western Digital Live TV Streaming units and one WD Live TV hub.

The lastest firmware update on the WD Live TV device cuased the Seagate drive to go off line..

Very frustrating it was trying to view movies etc, and then nothing... even pictures, after 20 ot so pictures the drives where gones.

Anyways, rolled back the firmware in the WD devices, and I'm all good again.

so, figure that...

My suggestion would be to disconnect all other device on the home network and see if the problem persists.

[akrabato]

Have anybody tried to update GoFlex Home to the latest firmware?

Was it helpful? I still have this incompatibility issue with my Zyxel NBG334W Router

(latest firmware is installed).

[kenji57_?]

This is a fairly old thread. Early on I had troubles with my Goflex Home dropping connection, to the point where I just left it powered off a lot of the time. I updated the firmware and it has been great since.

So as a first step if you're having problems I'd recommend updating the firmware

http://support.goflexhome.hipserv.com/en/reflash/index.html

[kemosabe4]

I believe this thread addresses my situation too - but there's so much out there - it gets overwhelming. If it is a duplicate of an existing problem report, I apologize.

• A) BASIC PROBLEM: My Goflex_Home (network-connected drive) won't stay continuously connected and drops out soon after I establish a connection.  Very frustrating and makes this device almost completely undependable/useless.
• B) BASIC OBSERVATION: The same Goflex_Home stays continuously connected and works flawlessly.

Difference between "A" and "B"

1. A scenario is when accessing drive through the MAC (running Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
2. B scenario is when accessing drive through Windows 8     B U T
3. Both scenarios involve using the SAME COMPUTER to access the drive while running VMWare Fusion. This behavior continues as described in "A" regardless of whether I'm running VMWare or not.  
   In other words, it just doesn't work well when being used in the MAC OS environment.  
   DO YOU DRAW THE SAME CONCLUSIONS??

There must be some deficiency in the native MAC OS (or the Seagate MAC drivers).

In summation, I can use this device without issue in the Windows environment.  Fortunately, I am running VM so that I have that option available to me, but I'm not happy with this restriction.  BTW, as I recall, this device worked perfectly (in both scenarios) prior to my installation of Mountain Lion, hmmmm.

[kenji57_?]

I don't have an Mac so I'm not sure how comms between Goflex Home and Mac work (Windows and Linux use samba but maybe Mac uses Appletalk).

maybe this post will help?

http://forums.seagate.com/t5/GoFlex-Net-GoFlex-Home/quot-Something-wrong-with-the-volume-s-CNID-DB-q...

[kemosabe4]

Kenji57,

  Thanks for that.  I have glanced over the link that you directed me to and I can't identify with their issue(s); I'm not getting any strange message like they are.

  The fact that this used to work (as I recall, prior to Mountain Lion release) and the fact that I made no "technical" (settings) adjustments to my MAC comms environment and the fact that it does work for a few brief periods in the Mac environment, leads me to believe that there is a nuisance deficiency elsewhere that needs to be addresses by either APPLE or SEAGATE.

  By chance, did you see my attachment?  That's what pops up when I lose connectivity.  Without fail, I can be attempting to copy numerous files from my Mac to this wireless drive - and a few files will make it across - only to have it choke at some later point and not finish copying the complete package of files that I wanted to transfer.  I can actually witness the "progress bar" race to some point in the operation and then see it stall and then just sit there until the box (see my attachment) pops up telling me I've lost the connection.

  I appreciate your response.

[SkiRX]

After experiencing the same frustrating symptoms and trying nearly every suggestion in this thread up to this point, I tried something that I did *not* see.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION (At least it worked for me so far; previously my drive was dropping after as little as a minute):

In Windows (any old window will do) I went to Tools > Disconnect Network Drive, then removed ALL drives mapped to GoFlex (I had the three default drives, plus another that I had mapped manually). I then went back to Tools > Map Network Drive and mapped a *single* drive letter to the IP address of my GoFlex. In my case, I mapped S: to 192.168.1.200/GoFlex Home Public.

Voila -- it's been up and running for a couple hours. I'll add a follow up post if this ends up being only a temporary fix (like eveything else I tried). HTH, YMMV.