Customer Reviews

Onstream DP30-01 30GB External Parallel Port Removable Storage Drive

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As hard drives get larger, so do storage devices to backup those enormous hard drives. Problem here is that via the parallel port, it can take an extremely long time to backup that 20 GB hard drive. I got the external thinking I could use it on multiple systems through the parallel port; truth is I have never used it on more than my main system. My recommendation is if you are going to spend a few hundred dollars on a tape backup system and only use it on one system, opt to get the SCSI version of this tape drive, or buy a SCSI DAT tape drive. Another complaint that I have is that the drive does NOT come with a tape. The media is also proprietary, so you may have a tough time finding it on retail shelves, and in a couple of years you won't be able to find it at all.

OnStream produced a great series of backup drives that provided a high capacity at low cost. I've used them for the past five years (both the DI-30 and the SI-50) and they were great. Unfortunately, they filed for bankruptcy in April 2003, and are now completely dismantled. You may still be able to get service, but I wouldn't recommend buying a drive. I've been trying to get some new tapes, and almost no one is carrying them anymore.

Great company, it's a shame to see them go.

I had an OnStream DI-30 ... Dead now at 6 months old ... no place to get a replacement!!!!