Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Celejar]

On Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:16:53 -0500
Stan Hoeppner  wrote:

> Celejar put forth on 3/26/2010 4:20 PM:
> 
> > Good to know - I guess it's just luck of the draw.  I once cringed as I
> > dropped my WD external about four feet (onto carpet), but so far
> > (months later) it's still working fine.
> 
> Here's what you guys need:
> http://www.adata.com.tw/en/product_show.php?ProductNo=14210001
> 
> Rugged and stylish, and waterproof for when pool parties happen.

Good to know.  I don't keep critical data on the external, but if I
ever need to, investing in something like this might be worth it.

Celejar
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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Freeman]

On Sat, Mar 27, 2010 at 01:16:53AM -0500, Stan Hoeppner wrote:
> Celejar put forth on 3/26/2010 4:20 PM:
> 
> > Good to know - I guess it's just luck of the draw.  I once cringed as I
> > dropped my WD external about four feet (onto carpet), but so far
> > (months later) it's still working fine.
> 
> Here's what you guys need:
> http://www.adata.com.tw/en/product_show.php?ProductNo=14210001
> 
> Rugged and stylish, and waterproof for when pool parties happen.
> 

Nice. And you are saying they will improve my sex life to, eh?

-- 
Kind Regards,
Freeman

http://bugs.debian.org/release-critical/


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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Stan Hoeppner]

Celejar put forth on 3/26/2010 4:20 PM:

> Good to know - I guess it's just luck of the draw.  I once cringed as I
> dropped my WD external about four feet (onto carpet), but so far
> (months later) it's still working fine.

Here's what you guys need:
http://www.adata.com.tw/en/product_show.php?ProductNo=14210001

Rugged and stylish, and waterproof for when pool parties happen.

-- 
Stan


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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Celejar]

On Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:11:48 -0700
Freeman  wrote:

> On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 10:18:57AM -0400, Celejar wrote:
> > On Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:51:07 -0700
> > Freeman  wrote:
> > 
> > ...
> > 
> > > I've had two passports for about 3 and 5 years now. The third and newest,
> > > the only SATA, died from a ridiculously small drop, maybe three feet onto
> > > carpet.
> > 
> > While on or off?
> > 
> 
> Off.
> 
> I remember the moment of realization and watching it drop. It hit squarely
> on the corner.  Seems like that was the real death knell, rather than a
> displaced or glancing impact pattern, maybe a speared-headed impact pattern.
> 
> It doesn't spin.

Good to know - I guess it's just luck of the draw.  I once cringed as I
dropped my WD external about four feet (onto carpet), but so far
(months later) it's still working fine.

Celejar
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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Freeman]

On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 10:18:57AM -0400, Celejar wrote:
> On Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:51:07 -0700
> Freeman  wrote:
> 
> ...
> 
> > I've had two passports for about 3 and 5 years now. The third and newest,
> > the only SATA, died from a ridiculously small drop, maybe three feet onto
> > carpet.
> 
> While on or off?
> 

Off.

I remember the moment of realization and watching it drop. It hit squarely
on the corner.  Seems like that was the real death knell, rather than a
displaced or glancing impact pattern, maybe a speared-headed impact pattern.

It doesn't spin.

On cannibalization I noted that it had decent shock absorption built in. 

So the electronics is now my incidental USB hookup for SATAs.

I'll be buying enclosures separately in the future. I like WD but a seller
on eBay is telling me that Hitachi has the best powering/performance
economy, a big consideration when hooking up a USB drive to a laptop when
power is scarce.

-- 
Kind Regards,
Freeman

http://bugs.debian.org/release-critical/


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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Stephen Powell]

On Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:52:49 -0400 (EDT), Ron Johnson wrote:
> On 2010-03-26 00:57, Stan Hoeppner wrote:
>> 
>> Nowhere does it mention Linux, period.  How can you complain about their
>> Linux support when the product literature doesn't mention Linux?  So, you
>> assume that the lack of mention means it's supported?  Even though all the
>> other OS's supported are clearly mentioned, down to each version?  You're
>> lying the blame at the wrong feet methinks.
> 
> Come on, man!  You know full well that Linux supports tons of stuff 
> that the vendor doesn't officially support.

That's true.  But perhaps what Stan was trying to get at is that when
making purchasing decisions for new hardware that you intend to use
under Linux, it is a good idea to reward hardware vendors than make an
attempt to address the Linux market in their promotional literature.
It encourages them to continue to do so if they see a noticeable increase
in sales as the result of providing Linux support or mentioning Linux
in their promotional materials.  I agree.

Having said that, however, I must admit that I rarely do that myself.
I nearly always buy used equipment.  In fact, most of what I have is
stuff that other people have thrown away or given away.  The hardware
is usually a given for me.  I just have to find a way to make it work
under Linux somehow.  And I've learned a lot about Linux that way!
Have you ever tried to get an IBM 9515 monitor to display 1024x768
resolution in X?  With the help of others, I did that once.  It is not
a task for the faint of heart!  But it can be done.  When IBM made
that monitor, Linux did not even cross their minds.  But that's what
I had.  And I had to make it work.  And I learned a lot in the process.

-- 
  .''`. Stephen Powell
 : :'  :
 `. `'`
   `-


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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Celejar]

On Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:51:07 -0700
Freeman  wrote:

...

> I've had two passports for about 3 and 5 years now. The third and newest,
> the only SATA, died from a ridiculously small drop, maybe three feet onto
> carpet.

While on or off?


Celejar
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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Paul E Condon]

On 20100326_005717, Stan Hoeppner wrote:
> Paul E Condon put forth on 3/25/2010 11:32 PM:
> 
> > Western Digital uses what must be the same software technology, but
> > they call it Virtual-CD or VCD. They also provide a software fix. But
> > the WD fix only disables VCD and makes the small partition
> > invisible. It does not release the space on the platter. (OK on a
> > 500GB drive, IMHO)
> 
> That's because, AFAICT, it's not on the disk platter Paul.  That "partition"
> resides in a flash memory chip on the small PCB inside that pretty WD
> enclosure.  I.e. it's a phantom, and you can't delete it, nor would you
> really benefit if you did.
> 
> > I think my problem is solved, but not in a was that makes me happy 
> > about either company's support for Linux
> 
> What other company?  Only WD is at issue here, no?
> 
> That's what happens when you buy cutesy Windows/MAC devices without reading
> up on your potential purchase BEFOREHAND.  From the PDF on WD's site:
> 
> http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/AAG/ENG/4178-705051.pdf
> 
> "SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY
> Formatted NTFS for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OSX, Tiger,
> Leopard, Snow Leopard (requires formatting)."
> 
> Nowhere does it mention Linux, period.  How can you complain about their
> Linux support when the product literature doesn't mention Linux?  So, you
> assume that the lack of mention means it's supported?  Even though all the
> other OS's supported are clearly mentioned, down to each version?  You're
> lying the blame at the wrong feet methinks.
> 
> > Also the new drive has a different kind of USB socket that I have not
> > seen before. About the same size as current small end of USB cable
> > but incompatible shape. Why? 
> 
> You're kidding, right?  You've never seen the mini and micro USB plugs?  The
> mini and micro USB plugs have been around for a long time, used mostly by
> digital cameras, PDAs, cell phones, basically all the small devices that
> need a small plug.  You bought a tiny 2.5" 500GB drive in a tiny case.  It
> needs a tiny plug.  And you're surprised and upset by this?  If it's the
> latest micro plug, be happy, as it's rated for much higher total
> insertion/removal cycles over its lifetime, i.e. it's more durable.
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus
> 
> -- 
> Stan
 
Thanks for the information. 

-- 
Paul E Condon   
pecon...@mesanetworks.net


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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Camaleón]

On Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:52:49 -0500, Ron Johnson wrote:

> On 2010-03-26 00:57, Stan Hoeppner wrote: [snip]
>> 
>> Nowhere does it mention Linux, period.  How can you complain about
>> their Linux support when the product literature doesn't mention Linux? 
>> So, you assume that the lack of mention means it's supported?  Even
>> though all the other OS's supported are clearly mentioned, down to each
>> version?  You're lying the blame at the wrong feet methinks.
> 
> Come on, man!  You know full well that Linux supports tons of stuff that
> the vendor doesn't officially support.

I agree. 

In fact, most of the devices and components (95%?) we all are using in 
our machines are not Linux compatible if we read the product 
literature :-)

It's all about the specs the manufacturers claim their piece of hardware 
supports. 

Greetings,

-- 
Camaleón


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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Ron Johnson]

On 2010-03-26 00:57, Stan Hoeppner wrote:
[snip]


Nowhere does it mention Linux, period.  How can you complain about their
Linux support when the product literature doesn't mention Linux?  So, you
assume that the lack of mention means it's supported?  Even though all the
other OS's supported are clearly mentioned, down to each version?  You're
lying the blame at the wrong feet methinks.


Come on, man!  You know full well that Linux supports tons of stuff 
that the vendor doesn't officially support.


--
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak
or the timid."  Dwight Eisenhower


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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Freeman]

On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 12:57:17AM -0500, Stan Hoeppner wrote:
> Paul E Condon put forth on 3/25/2010 11:32 PM:
> 
> > Western Digital uses what must be the same software technology, but
> > they call it Virtual-CD or VCD. They also provide a software fix. But
> > the WD fix only disables VCD and makes the small partition
> > invisible. It does not release the space on the platter. (OK on a
> > 500GB drive, IMHO)
> 
> That's because, AFAICT, it's not on the disk platter Paul.  That "partition"
> resides in a flash memory chip on the small PCB inside that pretty WD
> enclosure.  I.e. it's a phantom, and you can't delete it, nor would you
> really benefit if you did.
> 
> > I think my problem is solved, but not in a was that makes me happy 
> > about either company's support for Linux
> 
> What other company?  Only WD is at issue here, no?
> 
> That's what happens when you buy cutesy Windows/MAC devices without reading
> up on your potential purchase BEFOREHAND.  From the PDF on WD's site:
> 
> http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/AAG/ENG/4178-705051.pdf
> 
> "SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY
> Formatted NTFS for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OSX, Tiger,
> Leopard, Snow Leopard (requires formatting)."
> 
> Nowhere does it mention Linux, period.  How can you complain about their
> Linux support when the product literature doesn't mention Linux?  So, you
> assume that the lack of mention means it's supported?  Even though all the
> other OS's supported are clearly mentioned, down to each version?  You're
> lying the blame at the wrong feet methinks.
> 
> > Also the new drive has a different kind of USB socket that I have not
> > seen before. About the same size as current small end of USB cable
> > but incompatible shape. Why? 
> 
> You're kidding, right?  You've never seen the mini and micro USB plugs?  The
> mini and micro USB plugs have been around for a long time, used mostly by
> digital cameras, PDAs, cell phones, basically all the small devices that
> need a small plug.  You bought a tiny 2.5" 500GB drive in a tiny case.  It
> needs a tiny plug.  And you're surprised and upset by this?  If it's the
> latest micro plug, be happy, as it's rated for much higher total
> insertion/removal cycles over its lifetime, i.e. it's more durable.
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus
> 

I've had two passports for about 3 and 5 years now. The third and newest,
the only SATA, died from a ridiculously small drop, maybe three feet onto
carpet.

But the two remaining are very tough. They are scratched and cracked and
scuffed and well past their life expectancy.  I have have used them
extensively and reformatted and repartioned them a number of times.  One is
a redundant copy of my music library, the other an off-site backup.

None were Linux friendly at first and none had a VCD flash chip. They all
had the small USB end that is interchangeable with my cameras' USB cables. 
I won't be replacing them with Western Digitals but I will continue to use
only Western Digital in my laptops.

--
Kind Regards,
Freeman

http://bugs.debian.org/release-critical/


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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Stan Hoeppner]

Paul E Condon put forth on 3/25/2010 11:32 PM:

> Western Digital uses what must be the same software technology, but
> they call it Virtual-CD or VCD. They also provide a software fix. But
> the WD fix only disables VCD and makes the small partition
> invisible. It does not release the space on the platter. (OK on a
> 500GB drive, IMHO)

That's because, AFAICT, it's not on the disk platter Paul.  That "partition"
resides in a flash memory chip on the small PCB inside that pretty WD
enclosure.  I.e. it's a phantom, and you can't delete it, nor would you
really benefit if you did.

> I think my problem is solved, but not in a was that makes me happy 
> about either company's support for Linux

What other company?  Only WD is at issue here, no?

That's what happens when you buy cutesy Windows/MAC devices without reading
up on your potential purchase BEFOREHAND.  From the PDF on WD's site:

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/AAG/ENG/4178-705051.pdf

"SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY
Formatted NTFS for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OSX, Tiger,
Leopard, Snow Leopard (requires formatting)."

Nowhere does it mention Linux, period.  How can you complain about their
Linux support when the product literature doesn't mention Linux?  So, you
assume that the lack of mention means it's supported?  Even though all the
other OS's supported are clearly mentioned, down to each version?  You're
lying the blame at the wrong feet methinks.

> Also the new drive has a different kind of USB socket that I have not
> seen before. About the same size as current small end of USB cable
> but incompatible shape. Why? 

You're kidding, right?  You've never seen the mini and micro USB plugs?  The
mini and micro USB plugs have been around for a long time, used mostly by
digital cameras, PDAs, cell phones, basically all the small devices that
need a small plug.  You bought a tiny 2.5" 500GB drive in a tiny case.  It
needs a tiny plug.  And you're surprised and upset by this?  If it's the
latest micro plug, be happy, as it's rated for much higher total
insertion/removal cycles over its lifetime, i.e. it's more durable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus

-- 
Stan




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Re: Repartitioning a USB external HD. Need help removing existing partition [SOLVED]

[Paul E Condon]

On 20100325_204331, Mark wrote:
> On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 8:25 PM, Tom H  wrote:
> 
> >
> > It is a feature! ;)
> >
> > There's probably Windows backup software on it; and who knows what else.
> >
> 
> Helpful post from Tom, I've done similar but only on Sandisk products.  I
> thought U3 was only a Sandisk thing but now WD is using it too?
> 
> Some of the Windows software Tom H mentioned and shown
> heremakes me skeptical at best.
> I just get rid of U3 by default now.

SanDisk publishes utilities on its web site that remove U3 on both
Windows and Mac.

Western Digital uses what must be the same software technology, but
they call it Virtual-CD or VCD. They also provide a software fix. But
the WD fix only disables VCD and makes the small partition
invisible. It does not release the space on the platter. (OK on a
500GB drive, IMHO)

I think my problem is solved, but not in a was that makes me happy 
about either company's support for Linux

Also the new drive has a different kind of USB socket that I have not
seen before. About the same size as current small end of USB cable
but incompatible shape. Why? 

Thanks
-- 
Paul E Condon   
pecon...@mesanetworks.net


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