Inconsistant performance
Written: Apr 17 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Portability
Cons: Does not work with all computers, quits during copying
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| timeres's Full Review: MicroSolutions Backpack CDRW |
Installation of the software and hardware was easy. However, when I attempted to use the Backpack on my Dell Dimension XPS D300 I had a great deal of difficulty. A problem was encountered using both the CD-WR and CD modes. The Adaptec software was easy to use and straight foreword. I tested it before plugging a printer into its pass through. It appeared to work at first but once the writing of a full disk began, the speed gradually slowed until it completely stopped giving an error code and hanging the computer. After several attempts I found I could copy individual files and directories in the CD-WR mode successfully, but not write an entire disk at once. I spent hours trying to find a way to get it to back up my computer. It was inconsistent sometimes writing a file or directory, then sometimes not. I called Microsolutions tech support. They answered the phone quickly and were knowldegable and good to deal with. The first thing they asked was what kind of computer I had. This implies that the Backpack may not be compatible with all computers.
Tech support talked me through changing some rather arcane printer settings (more than just EPP) and computer boot "setup" settings. None of these changes worked. I thought perhaps I had a bad unit. I exchanged it for another one. The second unit also bogged down and would not copy an entire CD even when the write speed set on a slower setting. After several calls to tech support (you pay for the call, it is not toll-free) I mentioned a specific copy error code. The technician said "Oh that's a known 'issue'". He got off the phone very quickly after that. The inconsistent performance of the Backpack was unacceptable on the Dell.
Thinking there might be some quirk with the Dell machine, I plugged the unit into the printer port of a 400 MHz Compaq 5345 Presario, then plugged a Visioneer Paperport Strobe scanner into the pass through of the Backpack. Previously, the Strobe had been the only device on the printer port. When I booted the Compaq, the computer hung. I found that the mere act of plugging the Backpack into the Compaq, before installing any of its' software, had a serious problem. It somehow trashed the working Paperport Strobe software. I removed the Backpack then spent many hours with the Visioneer Paperport tech support to uninstall all of the scanner software in safe mode before I could reinstall it and get the scanner working again. The computer acted erratically during the Strobe software uninstallation. The difficulty repairing the damage puzzled even tech support.
The conclusion is that while the concept of this device is a good one and their marketing very appealing, like many other inadequately tested devices, I found it to have intolerable quirks. The Backpack may work well on certain computers but my experience with the Dell and Compaq computers on which I tried to install it, was a big disappointment. I returned the Backpack for a refund. I probably wasted at least 15 hours plus long distance phone charges trying to get the backpack to work. By comparison taking the Compaq apart installing a SCSI card and internal Jaz drive and it's software was a problem-free snap.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
timeres
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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