Thermaltake BlackX Problem

S

ShafTDawG

Gawd
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Apr 2, 2008
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830
I just got my shiny new BlacX today from Newegg (fast shipping as always), and I have a problem.

It plugs into my computer fine, and windows detects it, BUT the hard drive does not show up AT ALL. It is being detected as a "Generic USB Mass Storage Device". This is on a brand new fresh install of Vista Ultimate 64-bit, and all my back-up files are on the hard drive I'm trying to connect.

This product has great reviews on Newegg, except for this one guy who had the exact same problem I had (don't know if he has solved it). I was wondering if anyone here can help me out, as I really need to get my files from the other hard drive and it's too late now to run to a b&m to grab one.

Also, I have tried 3 different hard drives on 3 different computers, and all show it as a generic device. No icons for it, no autoplay, no nothing, just that little balloon saying that my device is ready to use (which it isnt).

I'd appreciate it a lot if anyone can help me out. Hopefully it's not a defective unit.
 
The problems is that it's a Thermaltake...































Just kidding... sort off... Just RMA.
 
haha... I read reviews of this thing from a LOT of sites, and they had nothing but good to say about it. Guess I just got unlucky. Hopefully it hasn't corrupted/damaged the hard disks I tested it with.
 
as I really need to get my files from the other hard drive and it's too late now to run to a b&m to grab one.
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Sounds like a faulty unit, but if you're in a hurry, just open your case and plug the drive directly into the MB.
 
I would do that, but since I'm using an Antec TPQ 850 (limited number of connectors), im out of SATA power connectors.

Called newegg up, they gave me an RMA, so hopefully I get a good unit. Close the thread please.
 
Close the thread please.
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One of the frustrations with giving online advice, is that I never know if I fixed something or not.

How about doing us a favor, leave the ticket open, and come back with a conclusion?

It's the least you can do for free advice! :D
 
Noobish question so bare with me, is the BlacX merely for just having this device connected to a computer so that whenever you need or maybe have the urge to plug in another hard drive, you can just pop it on here and away you go?
I just don't see this being used as a full time external hard drive solution.
 
I just don't see this being used as a full time external hard drive solution.
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Why would you think that?

I bought a similiar unit with eSATA and USB @ 6 months ago and it's had a drive sitting in it since then. I turn it on when I need it.

It gets a little dusty, but nothing my weekly dusting can't take care of. :D

I also have a Cool Drive unit with swappable trays, but these new "docking stations" make the swaps quicker.

PS. I think these "docking stations" are far superior to some of those bargain external enclosures simply because they won't cook the drives. Some of those "case cooling" units are just ovens looking to cook your drive waayyy past "rare" going to "crispy". :D
 
I have both the BlackX and BlackX SE.

Skip to the bottom if you just want an answer to the OP's q.

While the SE has the cool USB hub, the non-SE's base is more weighted.
The SE has two long anti-slip strips, while the non-SE has four tiny non-slip feet, two of which almost got away from me but I glued back on.
The SE has a kind of locking cover, while the non-SE does not.
The sata drive goes in near vertical on the SE, while it seems to be about a 5-7 degree slant on the non-SE, which I think I prefer.
The SE has a large eject button on the side, while the non-SE's eject button is much smaller but is directly on the front.

I love how the power supply is extremly small, and the dock supports hard-drive spin-down. My WD GP drives still get warm though, since my ambient is very high and I don't have much air circulation; so any fan pointed at the drive is a great help in those cases.

The biggest issue with all the BlackX SE and nonSE's imho is that the simple drop-in mechanism isn't very secure and the base inside the slot isn't very flat or even. You'll have to play around with it, but I find that even though it looks like it's in straight, putting more emphasis on pushing the drive down on the left side where the connector is makes a better connection. If it leans slightly to the right, which is often the case due to the way the connector in the base is slightly higher, then it seems that the drive isn't always recognized. This seems to be more of a problem with my SE than my non-SE though.
 
I bought a unit supposedly my by Logitec but I've never seen one for sale in the states.

It's got a 4 port USB hub with USB and eSATA ports, but the unusual thing is the HDD cover......

coverxt9.jpg



It kinda protects the drive.
 
@OldHippie,
That's the same thing as the BlacX SE. Fry's here sells them between $30 and 50, depending on whether there's a sale or not.
 
alcuin said:
@OldHippie,
That's the same thing as the BlacX SE. Fry's here sells them between $30 and 50, depending on whether there's a sale or not.
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Pretty Close, but mine's got an eSATA and USB connection. That one's USB only.
 
Oh, true that. Mine has an eSata connector cutout, but no connector. Wish it did though. But I don't really use eSata all that much anyways, so no biggie I guess. Good to know who makes em with the connector though.
 
Sorry for bringing this thread back up, but thought it might help.

So, I got the new unit from newegg, and it still wasn't working. I called up Thermaltake Tech Support, and they weren't able to help me out.

So that got me thinking, it couldn't be that I received two DOA units one after the other, and I started tinkering with the settings.

Turns out that if you plug in a hard drive that HAS ALREADY BEEN PARTITIONED (as was in my case), you have to go into manage storage devices (right click on my computer, click manage, then disk management), and the hard drive is gonna be there, although vista does not 'recognize' it until you right click on the disk, then select 'Import' or something (only two choices, and the other one was grayed out), I forgot, been a month since I last did it. Vista then recognized the drive and it has been working flawlessly ever since.
 
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