Hello. I bought this drive (ST315005FDM201-RK) three days ago. I planned to use it to backup data of my Vista 32- bit, Vista 64-bit and Mac computers. I did not know that there is a Mac version. The sales person told me that even the box does not say it is compatible with the Mac, I can still use it to backup data if I format the drive using an utility from the Mac OS.
I just found from Amazon and Neweggs reviews that this drive is defective by design. Most DOA, failed in 2-3 days or within 2 months (with click sound and other issues). There is a posting that there is no defect. The poster said that people have problems because they used their drives with USB 1.0 ports. The poster mentioned that if we switch off the "auto off" feature and use USB 2.0, the drive should work without any problem. Here are my questions:
1. Is it really true that if I switch off the "auto off" feature and use USB 2.0, my drive should not have problems experienced by other users?
2. On the box, it states that it is compatibe with Vista but there are postings that it is not compatible with 64-bit Vista.
Does that mean I cannot use it to backup my 64-bit vista system?
3. Can I really use this drive for both Windows VISTA and Mac computers?
If I were back home, I would have just returned the drive to the store for a refund. Unfortunately, I bought it in Hong Kong. In this city, there is a very bad practice that most stores ask the customers during purchase to sign a form that no refund/exchange is allowed. Some stores have a few rules (e.g. exchange is defects are found in a week) but it also states that the stores have the right to determine whether the rules apply. I heard that almost 100% of the time, people get into big arguments when the customers return even unopened products to stores. I have not opened the box yet. I plan to use the drive to backup very important data. If it is as unreliable as others mentioned, there is no point for me to use this drive. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
