Parallelminer getting cheap on the IX2, 10x disc less $175

[VirtualLarry]

I ordered one of these 10-lots when they were available, and so far, I'm VERY disappointed.

I thought that I would be receiving 10 NEW "bulk-packed" IX2-DL units branded Lenovo / EMC.

Instead, I got REFURB Iomega StorCenter IX2 units.

Using both a WD Blue 4TB 3.5" and a pair of Toshiba 4TB X300 3.5" HDDs, I have been unable to get these units operational (both StorCenter).

The first one, I flashed up (sucessfully?) using the IX2-DL firmware upgrade files. But I could never get it to actually initialize and utilize either the WD or Toshiba HDDs (Black-listed?).

The second one that I just opened up and hooked up, I get a white power LED for like 10s, then it turns red, and I can't even force-power-off. (Powers on when I plug in the plug.) Doesn't seem to matter if I have the HDDs connected or not. I think when the HDDs were initializing on the first unit that I did manage to boot on the LAN, the bottom HDD light was blinking. On this second one, the HDD light never lights up. I tried using the recessed Reset switch, but that didn't do anything.

What a waste of money. I got floor-sweeping units, looks like.

 

[BenJeremy]

I ordered one of these 10-lots when they were available, and so far, I'm VERY disappointed.

I thought that I would be receiving 10 NEW "bulk-packed" IX2-DL units branded Lenovo / EMC.

Instead, I got REFURB Iomega StorCenter IX2 units.

Using both a WD Blue 4TB 3.5" and a pair of Toshiba 4TB X300 3.5" HDDs, I have been unable to get these units operational (both StorCenter).

The first one, I flashed up (sucessfully?) using the IX2-DL firmware upgrade files. But I could never get it to actually initialize and utilize either the WD or Toshiba HDDs (Black-listed?).

The second one that I just opened up and hooked up, I get a white power LED for like 10s, then it turns red, and I can't even force-power-off. (Powers on when I plug in the plug.) Doesn't seem to matter if I have the HDDs connected or not. I think when the HDDs were initializing on the first unit that I did manage to boot on the LAN, the bottom HDD light was blinking. On this second one, the HDD light never lights up. I tried using the recessed Reset switch, but that didn't do anything.

What a waste of money. I got floor-sweeping units, looks like.

Yeah, my 2 lots were a mixed bag... mostly good though. I sold a bunch through eBay after setting them up and creating some good instructions. I had to supply a platter drive for each with the system software image (I never worked out how to use the USB for this), and all my buyers were happy. I made a few bucks, and had enough units left over to throw together some boxes for my two sons to use at their homes.

Still, I think I had two bad units, and one wall transformer was useless because they did not send me the 2-prong adapter for it. Not worth the hassle of sending them back.

 

[mikeford]

Did you contact PM, if so, what did they have to say?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Did you contact PM, if so, what did they have to say?

I'm just griping, and asking how to get around the "red light at boot" issue.

It's hardly worth my time or theirs to bother them about a $17.50 NAS unit. I basically accepted that these were mostly as-is, given the low lot price.

 

[legcramp]

Anyone tried testing what the max capacity for these are? I have a few 8TB drives lying around..

 

[BenJeremy]

Anyone tried testing what the max capacity for these are? I have a few 8TB drives lying around..

The "IX" models (32-bit) can handle up to 16TB, "PX" models (64-bit) can handle more (I have a PX4 with 4x8TB) - that's just volume size. I believe it's possible to put, say, 2x16TB drives in the IX, as long as you were in a mirror RAID config, so the volume remained 16TB. I had not tested that.

I came across that information from a post by a Lenovo engineer that has probably been lost down the memory hole, as I think the forums I found that post on are no longer available. What he posted made sense, though, that it was a limitation of the OS.

 

[legcramp]

The "IX" models (32-bit) can handle up to 16TB, "PX" models (64-bit) can handle more (I have a PX4 with 4x8TB) - that's just volume size. I believe it's possible to put, say, 2x16TB drives in the IX, as long as you were in a mirror RAID config, so the volume remained 16TB. I had not tested that.

I came across that information from a post by a Lenovo engineer that has probably been lost down the memory hole, as I think the forums I found that post on are no longer available. What he posted made sense, though, that it was a limitation of the OS.

Appreciate it, might pick up a lot to see how these are.

 

[mikeford]

I wouldn't at this point, and my two have been flawless, but I think PM is scrapping the bottom of the barrel, plus 80% of the NAS cost is in the drives, no point on these 2x bay units.