Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

H

hanguolaohu

Active member
I just received 2 Lacie bigger disk extremes (1 TB each), and tried capturing into FCP HD with firewire 400 on my powerbook G4. About 40 minutes into the capture, the mac freezes, similar to a windows blue screen, and lines of code pop up, some lines that seem relevant are:

System failure: cpu=-‘ code=00000001 (corrupt stack)
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x36438C80)
Kernel loadable modules in backtaracw (with dependencies):
Com.apple.driver.keylargoATA(1.1.0f1)@0x74c000
Dependency: com.apple.iokit.ioatafamily (1.5.5f1)@0x395000
Waiting for remote debugger connection

My theory is that the drive is defective or has some sort of conflict with FCP or the powerbook. This idea was reinforced when I tried my older, reliable 250gb Lacie and it captured with no problems whatsoever. I then tried the 2nd Lacie bigger disk straight out of the box and encountered the same system failure. I called Lacie tech support to resolve this matter, and their only solution was to do a thorough format. The drive is formatting as I write this, but at this point, I’m thinking of just returning the units to the vendor.

The dilemma I have is I need a lot of storage, at least 500GB-1.5TB, and I don’t want to go with a no-name brand enclosure. I also don’t want to daisy chain more than 3 firewire drives together, so I need to buy larger drives. I considered the Medea G-raid but figured the Lacie was similar in configuration but the G-raid is at least 30% more expensive. Perhaps there’s a reason for that :-p

I’ve been told by some pros to avoid Lacie at all costs, and others who have had no problems whatsoever. I’m just editing DV and no multiple streams so I believe a SATA or Raid-0 is overkill. Also, would the G-raid be less stable than the G-drive since the G-raid uses Raid-0 to stripe, if one drive fails then everything is lost because it’s split onto multiple drives. But if the G-drive contains just one internal hard drive and fails, then would the data be more easily recoverable? Any help most appreciated.

Alexander
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

I'm using 3 Lacie Biggers (1TB) with no problems. Make sure the firmware on the drives is up to the latest version from Lacie (available on their website).
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

Lacie tech support said firmware is up to date. Also, my configuration is deck (4pin Firewire) to Lacie Bigger disk (9pin FW) to Powerbook G4 (6pin FW). From my research, that should be the correct configuration, right?
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

Your going deck to lacie to computer?

I usually go deck to computer to lacie...but you may only have one fw port.

The only prob with the power books is no FW800, the new powerbooks just added it for the 15 and 17 inch but doesnt really help you now.
Honestly if your olde Lacie works than you sorta have answered the question of it being you laptop or FCP. I mean if Lacie isnt really helping someone who just purchased 2 TB than maybe they arent worth the time. I think the Graids may be a good alternative but yes they are expensive.
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

Sorry to hear about this... I hate to hear folks having problems after dropping that kind of cash. Have you considered getting a PCMCIA FireWire 800 CardBus card? Is your OS 10.3.7?

If you can return them, I'd do it and get the G-RAID. I have 'em and they work great. If you want a set call me and I'll see what kind of deal I can give for a DVXuser in need.

With FireWire 800 on a G5 2.0 I'm getting 25% faster Read speeds than the stock internal SATA drive.

Guy Cochran
DVcreators.net
877-353-8077
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

This is wonderful.... while doing a complete disk format the disk utility had an error and now my Lacie drive icon isn't even listed on my desktop. This is after waiting 6 hours and seeing the format progress level at only 50%. So if I can't even get the drive to format correctly, how can I expect for it to hold 80 hours of my precious DV footage? I'm assuming there is some bus error with these drives or some kind of conflict with OS X 10.3.7. Unless someone has an enlightening way to fix this problem, I’m gonna send it back to the vendor and get a G-raid. Just in case, has anyone had any bad experiences with G-raids?

Also, in terms of the bus issue, the bigger disk has both 9 and 6 pin firewire ports, and I've gotten this system failure using a 6 to 6 pin cable to my powerbook as well as a 9 to 6 pin cable. To be honest, it might not be a bad idea to get a PCMCIA FW800 card, what brands would you guys recommend? Don't say Lacie (j/k) :-p
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

Ya know, I used to love the Lacie's. I don't want to bash them since I own a couple of the Porshe drives and have never had a problem. The one clencher that made me choose the G-RAID's over the Lacie's is the FACT that as you fill up the GRAID the speed is consistant. Not so with the Lacie's - check out BareFeats article http://barefeats.com/fire46.html

Have you seen this demo of HD on a PowerBook at last years MacWorld? It shows the Lacie's working great...maybe Gary did a voodoo dance to get them to work :)
http://www.padd.com/market/product/dvmattefcp/fcpUG.php
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

FW800 on its own bus is NOT just a good idea with FCP...it's essential. I don't think a FW card will give you a separate bus.

In addition, here's what Apple says. Seems the last item would also kill the idea of a card:

If you choose to use a FireWire hard drive, make sure it meets these requirements:
The drive is the only device on the FireWire bus.
The drive's speed is at least 7200 RPM.
The drive can sustain minimum data rates appropriate for your video format (3.7 MB/s for DV).
The drive uses a modern, high-performance bridge chip such as the Oxford 911 or 922.
The drive uses its own power supply, and is not powered from the FireWire bus.
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

To be honest, it might not be a bad idea to get a PCMCIA FW800 card, what brands would you guys recommend? Don't say Lacie (j/k) :-p

Unless someone has an enlightening way to fix this problem, I’m gonna send it back to the vendor and get a G-raid. Just in case, has anyone had any bad experiences with G-raids?

Question: I’ve noticed a 500gb G-raid for $599 and the 400gb G-drive for $560. At first, it seems like the G-raid is more bang for your buck, but I’m worried that since the G-raid has 2 internal hard drives, then compared to a G-drive there’s twice the chance of it failing. For me, data safety is more important than having 7 streams of DV. I figure the 400gb G-drive is so expensive because it uses one 400gb hard drive, which at the moment is the largest hard drive available and therefore its price is at a premium. Which would you buy if $ was no object and data safety was your priority?
 
Re: Lacie Bigger Disk System Failure

Ok, one more time: if you're using FW 400, THAT'S the problem. Don't blame it on Lacie... :(
 
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