FreeAgent Theater and GoFlexTV

[codebutcher]

I initially purchased a FreeAgent Theater.  I was using a WD Passport drive and it worked fine on the external USB port.  Recently I got a  Free Agent Go 500Gb drive.  When I connect it to the FreeAgent Go port, it does not recognize it, but when I connect it to the external USB port it works fine.  I'm pretty sure I connected the Go drive to the port, because it lights up, but that's all it does.  I have upgraded the firmware to 1.00.15.  Is there anything else I can do before I send this in for repair?

[fzabkar]

If you can find an appropriate USB cable, then you could test your port with a pen drive. This would eliminate the possibility that the drive is drawing too much startup current from the port.

Does the drive "chirp" or "beep"?

Can you test the port with an MP3 player or some other mass storage device that uses the same mini-USB connector?

[codebutcher]

I was thinking of that too, but it's rare to find a M/F mini-USB cable.  I called Seagate support, but they are still trying to determine the problem.  If all else fails, I'll have to send it in for repair.  Maybe they will send me back a Theater+. (wishful thinking)

The GO drive does light up, it's pretty quite though, I can't hear anything. If low power were the case then external USB port should have the same problem, but it works fine.  For now I'm using the external USB, but it looks messy.

[dwyejj]

I just purchased and am trying to set up tonight with the same problem.  The FreeAgent Go drive is recognized on the external USB but not on the internal port.  It feels like the drive is running, but the lights are on the back of this drive and not visible when inserted.  I'll probably just return to the store tomorrow.

[dwyejj]

I did look back into the housing and can see that the drive lights are on and can hear it turning.  Must be something internal to one of the data lines or software.  Anyway, I'm not very impressed with the internal music browser so I am going to return for a refund. 

When loading an entire music library you really need an internal browser that will index and organize.  I thought this would be a good Christmas gift for someone that is not real computer savy, but the software is not good enough.

Good luck. 

[codebutcher]

What kind of drive are you using?   

I notice that the drive on external port takes about a minute to startup.  There might not be enough power to initialize the drive.  I had tried a SimpleTech drive with two USB connectors and it did not initialize, but a WD Passport and Go drive did work.  Also it's not recomended to hot swap or hot plug the drive while the unit is on. 

I wish I can take my product back to the store but, I bought it online and CS is handled by Seagate.

Message Edited by codebutcher on 12-09-2009 12:07 AM

[dwyejj]

I was using a new 250GB FreeAgent Go drive designed for the port.  It worked fine on the external usb connector, and I did not notice any delays.

I returned both and got the WD TV, which is significantly better.  The internal software indexes media and has more options during playback.  It also has an HDMI connector and is much smaller than the Seagate.

[mat schubert]

Looks like a few of us are having the same problem with the "freeagent theatre" not reading the "freeagent go" in the "freeagent go" port.

Why is it there isnt a moderator or someone handling the forums that says, its okay fix it this way instead of us chatting amongst ourselves?

[codebutcher]

Maybe Seagate will not admit it's a known problem.  It seems to work on a Theater+ but not on the regular Theater.  Eventually I'm going to return it to either Seagate or NewEgg. I picked it up for $50, regular price was $79. :igh::

CS was suppose to call me or e-mail me back with a resolution, but it looks like I'll have to call them back, tomorrow.

[fzabkar]

The following photos appear to show that the front USB port and FreeAgent Go port are cabled to two identical connectors on the PCB:

http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1156/Seagate_Theater_PCB2.jpg

http://photofile.name/users/amicusis/150257681/?done=uploadfok&page=lastPage&PHPSESSID=c419066ebdeaba36f4cebf0a1bc50109

http://amicusis.users.photofile.ru/photo/amicusis/150257681/156933792.jpg

Both ports appear to be wired to the Genesys Logic 4-port USB 2.0 hub chip, GL850G. The hub's upstream port connects to the Realtek RTD1073MD chip's USB host controller.

I suspect that the front USB port is more tolerant of overcurrents than the FA Go port. This could easily be tested by interchanging the cable connections to the PCB. However, this would void the warranty. :-(


Edit: Sorry, the internal USB cables connect to the Go port and to the rear USB port, not the front port. The front USB port is directly connected to the PCB.

Message Edited by fzabkar on 15-12-2009 04:56 AM