Disappointed, but not sure with what
Written: Feb 16 '01
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Pros: Mega storage, nice quality unit
Cons: Major problems running on Windows 2000
The Bottom Line: Wait until compatibility issues are worked out using Windows 2000 before buying this drive. And forget trying to call QPS tech support. My "Yes" Recommendation to Buy is given guardedly.
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| nwnovelist's Full Review: QPS Que! DVD-RAM Fire Drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Dr... |
Based on the only other review here (from LaFeet), I purchased the 1394 Firewire version of this drive. Installing a (separately purchased) 1394 card went smoothly and was instantly recognized in the Device Manager. But since then I've spent probably some 20 hours trying to get Windows 2000 to recognize the drive itself. I continually get an Error 10 hardware message, and there's just no way to make it go away and accept the drive among its other hardware brethren.
The QPS Web site is remarkably devoid of anything helpful regarding installation troubleshooting issues (at least for the DVD RAM drive). And calling or emailing QPS for tech support is an exercise in futility: their permanent recorded greeting advises an average 20-minute wait time -- then at the 20-minute mark you're put right into a voicemail box, clearly one that no one ever checks! They've never responded to my two emails OR three voice mails, and the one guy I finally DID get on the phone once (going through the receptionist) didn't have a clue as to what to do.
I finally set up a workaround using my home network, attaching the DVD RAM to an additional Firewire card I bought for my Dell notebook (which is in another room), then backing up my main system via the network to the QPS drive which is recognized under Windows 98. It's a pain to go in and swap disks when necessary, but what else can one do?
As one who generally lives on the bleeding edge anyway, I'm used to this kind of incompatibility now and then. What's unforgivable is the quality of technical support from a company that makes high-end equipment. Microsoft's site doesn't have much on this either. I'm particularly surprised in both cases since Bill Gates proudly demonstrated the launch of Win2K using the QPS DVD RAM (SCSI) playing a DVD movie, as hailed by QPS on their home page. Curiously, the QPS name does not appear in the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List, though sales literature for the drive claims 2000 compatibility! Whatever.
I'd advise potential buyers to wait for assured compatibility before investing in this drive.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 650
Operating System: Windows
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Epinions.com ID:
nwnovelist
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Reviews written: 3
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