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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Goldsboro, NC on 10/5/2008
I haven't had any problems with it. I put an old laptop HDD in it and it fired right up. It does work with Vista if you load the drivers.
from Northeast Ohio on 9/24/2008
I really wanted this to be a good thing. It looks nice out of the box, and setup (according to the book) couldn't be easier, but it kept giving various error messages on several computers, device cannot start. Windows Found it, tried to install it, but then nothing happens. I went into hardware wizard to troubleshoot, and all it says is hardware cannot start. I tried it on several computers and the same thing happened every time.
from Shelbyville,Indiana. on 9/20/2008
The power needs of the HHD;will determine if You need 2 USB ports. Each primary port is limited to 500ma each! If a 4 port hub is connected;the total is still 500ma! That's 125ma each or any combination,500ma total.
from Tampa, FL on 9/1/2008
Neither XP Pro nor Vista would recognize the device. Tried everything that others suggested. Took it back yo RS twice and got new units with same results. RS was good about it but I will not waste any more time with it.
from Indiana on 7/7/2008
Couldn't get mine to work with Vista (that's a great new operating system ya got there microsoft). Broght it into work for the XP computer. Didn't work, removed it from it's case. Supplied power via the USB to DC in first and then plugged in the USB to USB after it had a chance to spin up. - !! it worked !! getting data off the old drive now. For [$] I'll deal with it.
from Vermont on 6/16/2008
I've been working for a couple of weeks to get this to be recognized by VISTA, have added an internal belkin USB 5port PCI card (one suggested solution) but it did not help. XP Pro works great, but I only come up with device driver conflicts in VISTA. Automated search in VISTA only concludes that the best driver is in use. I can't even find an 'official site' for mad dog! - save your money and spend a few extra bucks for a VISTA proven external drive enclosure.
from Southern California on 6/9/2008
First you get the big colorful box. Then you open it and find a nice set of items inside, in perfect order: two cables (one is needed if you are good with a soldering iron), carry case (a bit cheap) with extra pocket for one cable, stylish HD enclosure in glossy black finish (which makes your fingerprints visible), 4 mounting screws for the HD, CD for Win98 (not needed these days) and a nice thick booklet of exceptional quality with instructions for this and other models. At this point you know this is not your cheap China-made enclosure you get on [...].You have two choices: either use the two USB cables or do the modification by shorting diode D1 and hence use one USB cable only. D1 is there to disable the power supply input from supplying other USB devices if you use an external power supply. You can remove D1 or short it as another reviewer did. I shorted it and used the USB-data cable only to connect and transfer data.Mount the HD of your choice on the little motherboard, insert it and close the enclosure with its cover and screws. Remove the protective plastic, insert the USB cable in your computer and that's it. The blue 'Mad Dog' logo turns on and flashes whenever you use the drive.Fast, easy, quiet, reliable, well made. You want more for [$]?
So far, I have not gotten mine to work. It would've been nice to see a slightly more detailed instruction / troubleshooting manual. The manufacturer's web page gives a 403 - Forbidden error. If you have issues with your Megavault, then good luck finding support -anywhere- on the web.
-Misha
First off, I would like to thank Bob from Colorado for helping me make this drive work. He states that if you jumper a diode, it will run off of ONE usb port. I did it and its TRUE!!! If you look at the bottom of the circuit board, there is a tiny little square unit labeled "D1" and all you have to do is run a wire around it! I personally de-soldered it and put a length of wire in there, but be careful as there are heat-sensitive chips in there. Either way, now it works GREAT on the 2 desktops and 1 laptop I own. You are the MAN Bob!!!
It was easy to install. I have to use both cables, but the good thing is that it takes the energy from the USB port. Its good because many other ones require an ac adapter which defeats the purpose of portability.
I put an Hitachi TravelStar into one of these and it worked fine for me on one cable from a powered USB port. Your mileage may vary.
Two USB cables are required because the USB input has a polarity protection diode in the circuit, while the other power input connection does not. The diode serves no purpose other than to require a second cable. I jumpered the diode with a short piece of wire. Now the HDD operates with only the one USB cable.
The enclosure requires an extra connection for power. It has an AC to USB wire with it so you need to plug 2 USB connections in to the computer. Not horrible but if your working on a laptop with limited USB ports you could run in to a problem
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Bx, NY on 10/28/2007
the product works as described but with my 80gb seagate drive in there i need to plugin both the usb data and usb dc power cables to get the drive to work, i used the same drive in another external and didn't have that issue. the construction of the case is fine and sturdy and is not cheaply made, the cary case is also good,[...] two usb ports will be occupied when i use this device. overall it is a good product and functions well
Great, reliable product