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/ -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/20100326065107.ga9...@europa.office
