FreeAgent Products

[Witch8r]

Seagate recently donated 2 FreeAgent drives to PlanetAMD64.com and PlanetX64.com. There were prizes to help celebrate those sites 5th and 3rd yr anniversaries. These 2 sites are the largest sites dedicated to the 64bit computing community, but the Seagate Manager software for these drives do not support 64 bit operating systems? According to minimum requirements the do not support XP Pro X64, Vista 64, or Windows Server 2003.

I was the first winner drawn, and I recieved the FreeAgent Extreme 1TB external hard drive, but the Seagate Manger software will not install on myb OS (Win XP Pro X64. If anyone else has had that problem, we've started a thread here: planetamd64.com/index.php?showtopic=37567

NOTE: this forum does not allow links to be posted so add the www

We've also started a pettion for 64 bit support suggested by someone in Seagate PR:  planetamd64.com/index.php?showtopic=37567

 Vote here: planetamd64.com/index.php?showtopic=37687&hl=

                                                                                                 Thanks,

                                                                                                 Witch8r

[kmsacert]

The "hardware" (the drive itself) is in fact compatible with 64-Bit OS's but it is only the software that is not compatible with 64-Bit.  There are workarounds to this issue (Besides getting a 3rd party software for backup solutions.)  Please refer to the Microsoft links below for more information about running 32-bit programs in a 64-bit environment. 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896456

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;8599

*hint- search Mircosoft for running 32-bit programs running in 64-bit Operating Systems*

[Witch8r]

---

kmsacert wrote:

The "hardware" (the drive itself) is in fact compatible with 64-Bit OS's but it is only the software that is not compatible with 64-Bit.  There are workarounds to this issue (Besides getting a 3rd party software for backup solutions.)  Please refer to the Microsoft links below for more information about running 32-bit programs in a 64-bit environment. 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896456

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;8599

*hint- search Mircosoft for running 32-bit programs running in 64-bit Operating Systems*

---

Thanks for the reply but, I'm aware that the drive will work, and the software won't. But, There still is a problem with the sleep feature, by default it set to power down in 15 min of inactivity. But when it does it's no longer visible in MY Computer, Disk Management, or Device Manager. You have to unplug it and plug it in again for it to be visisble. The only way to change the settings, is using the software that won't install on a 64bit OS. I found a work around, by using a laptop w/ Vista Home Premium 32 bit, and installed the software, and drive on it, using USB 2.0. Then changed the settings to never enter sleep mode. Then reattached it to my desktop (HTPC) using E-SATA. I still have to unplug it to turn it off, and plug it in to turn it on. But at least it's not after every 15 mins of activity. And of course I could use different software to do the back ups. As a matter of fact I have NeroBackItUp 4. The point wasn't that I couldn't get the drive to work. It was that I couldn't get the software to work, so that I could use all the features it was designed with. I could understand if it didn't support an old OS like Win 2000, but it does? But not supporting any of the 64 bit OS'es that most computer enthuiasts are using now day?

[glow]

I just baught a 1TB FreeAgent drive today and i must say its very frustrating to find it has no support for 64bit for the software. No where on the box is it stated that its not supported. Would think that some support should be provided for this issue considering 64bit is pretty common now.

[phileysmiley]

I am in the same boat. My main OS is Windows XP Professional x64. I went searching to find out if any of the external HDD manufacturers come with x64-compatible backup software. My first stop was PlanetAMD64/Planet x64 because they've always been the authority on x64. I was told that they had just reviewed the new FreeAgent GO series and that it was compatible with x64 (XP as well as Vista), so I ordered the silver 320GB. 

As it turned out, I was unable to install the software. I tried it in compatibility mode for every other OS on the list: XP, 2000, etc. No go. 

I submitted a support request and got a ticket number. I was told someone would get back to me in 24 hours, along with a mailbot reply that said "see if this answers your question." The answer did not. No support person ever got back to me.

I was able to get the good folks at PlanetAMD64/Planetx64 to intervene with Seagate on my behalf, and Seagate sent me a CD with the latest FreeAgent software on it. But I got the same error message when I launched the install app (cannot install except on XP, 2000, or Vista). I also tried it in compatibility mode for XP and the same thing happened as earlier with the software included on the device. I'm a bit confused as to why Seagate even bothered to send me the CD if they knew it wouldn't work on XP x64. But anyway...

Now I am stuck with a very expensive paperweight. Needless to say, I am quite upset, since Seagate submitted the product for review to the best-known Windows x64 site on the internet, and it was a favorable review. One would then assume that the device would, in fact, work on Windows XP x64 as the author of the review affirmed.

He has done all he can. Perhaps someone here can help.

[John Fongheiser]

I just bought a 1.5TB FreeAgent XTreme, and was shcoked to discover that the provided software would not run on Windows XP 64. Looking at the manual I was impressed with the software features. I have looked for 3rd party solutions. But why should I have to pay 1/4 the cost of my new drive to get software that should have come with the drive? Come on Seagate!!! We NEEEEEED this software!!!!!!!!!

[coltmccoyisbomb]

johnfong

http://forums.seagate.com/stx/board/message?board.id=freeagent&view=by_date_ascending&message.id=360...

[GaryN]

I recenty purchased a Dell computer with 64 bit Vista OS.;  No problem installing the Seagate Manager software from one of my 4 1.5 T Seagate drives attached to the computer.  The software is able to manage the four 1.5 T drives.  However, I have a slightly older Seagate 750 G FreeAgentPro also attached.  The latter drive has outputs for USB, firewire and esate.  The 750 G drive is attached to the computer by USB as are the other 4 drives.

The hard drive on the 750 G drive and its LED lights are on at all times and don't shut off even when computer is turned off.  The Seagate  manager sees the 750 G drive but is unable to change its settings because it says the drive is connected by esata.  Well, the drive is connected by USB.

I tried to update the Seagate Manager software, downloaded a file with no problems.  But installation failed with an error message that the installation program supported only 32 bit systems.

So I was able to get the Seagate 1.5 G manager installed but can not update it.

I tried connecting the older 750 G drive to an older comuter that runs 32 bit XP and an older version of seagate manager that came with the older drive.  That older manager on the XP computer was able to turn off the lights and select a time for the drive to go to sleep.  However, as soon as I connect the drive back to my Vista 64 bit computer, lights come on, and drive spins forever--even with computer turned off.

  The only way to stop the 750 G drive from running with the computer off, is to unplug its power supply.

Seagate seems far behind the times with its management software.  It would be great to have manual switches on Seagate products to establish the desired settings.

[amomntntime]

Same here I just bought a 1TB drive. I have a Vista 64bit operating system. The management software will not load because it's 32 bit. Seagate lets get with the program! We need a fix for this 64 bit problem. This is a great drive! I would love to be able to use it to it's full potential.

[Poly]

I purchased a Free Agent Pro USB/eSATA 750 Gig external drive. I am operating a OS 64 bit Windows Vista Ultimate Platform.

After installing the FA Disk and uploading my computer drives to their online  trial service, I have been unable to use Launcher,Memeo,or Autobackup. They will not load.

I have been unable to contact Support Service on their website. They have my computer hard drive information with no means of communication. 

Does anyone know how to load the Seagate Manager software that comes with the FA external disk on to Windows Vista 64 Bit computers? 

(edited to comply with rules)

Message Edited by AlanM on 02-03-2009 10:01 AM