In other news....
I just blew my cash on this item.
I have been looking for something like this for a long time, and now it's somewhat affordable.
Here's the downside.
Windows Vista is stupid.
I run 64-bit Home Premium. Because it's a Home version, the native Windows backup program doesn't allow me to use networked storage as a backup destination. If I had a Business or Professional version, it would. SO the tech is there, it's jsut hobbled, waiting on an upgrade.
This is what Microsoft has to say.
But meanwhile, the MS help forums, staffed by supposed real MS emps, don't say anything about this. So it seems like they are talking out of both sides of their mouths.
Meanwhile, the WD software doesn't do complete backups, either. It just stores certain files, like music/video, documents, basic stuff. It is in no way a complete backup solution.
Now, part of the reason I bought this was to use it as a media server so I could access music and videos on my 360 without having to run the laptop the whole time to stream it, and on PS3 without filling up the hard drive with copies of all the same files. It will still serve that purpose, apparently.
However, reading the materials that came with it made me realize that I should be able to back up all of the house computers onto this drive. But when I actually began to set this up, I learned otherwise. Mom's computer is just Vista basic, so if mine won't do it, I know hers won't.
So I still have to use the drive space on my laptop to back up my laptop, instead. At least I can free up space by moving all the media files off my second laptop HD, which is nearly full, onto it. Steam games should perform better, I guess, since they'll be the only thing there.
So I now have a formatted TB (928 GB) of networked space at my disposal, and no way to put it to efficient use. Oh, and I have $5 to my name.
I am very annoyed right now.