Comments on: Seagate STM903203BAA1E1-RK Maxtor STM903203BAA1E1-RK 320GB Black Armor 2.5-Inch External Hard Drive

By: Robert Hudock

Robert Hudock — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:21:39 +0000

Excellent product. However, this product does not work with Linux. Don’t forget your password.

By: Matthew B. Tolbert

Matthew B. Tolbert — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:49:51 +0000

Our testing of this external drive found that its BlackArmor Manager Configure software is incompatible with PGP encryption software (including PGP WholeDisk and PGP Desktop). Postings on Seagate’s own support site shows that Seagate was made aware of the problem last year, but no fix has been forthcoming. I’ve notified my purchasing department to block all individual and volume purchases of this drive until Seagate resolves the issue.

By: Holly Black

Holly Black — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:43:48 +0000

This disk has compatibility issues. That would not be so bad if it were possible to wipe the encryption out and use it as an ordinary hard disk, but it is not. Not even if you are willing to dismantle the device and use only the SATA mechanism inside. I would have to go back to 1983 to find a hard disk drive so disappointing. I would never buy a BlackArmor product ever again. I’m still using it but it is very limited in what I can use it for, unlike other manufacturers’ products.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:02:54 +0000

Yeah, ok, the drive is good if you ABSOLUTELY need the encryption software on it but then again, what are you doing that you NEED TO HAVE the encryption software? I got the drive because I found a great deal on it, but when i tried to remove the software like I’ve done with multiple other drives, it doesn’t let you. Called Seagate and they even tell you that you can’t do it. So if that’s the case, then they should put that warning in BIG BOLD LETTERS on the box prior to purchasing so the consumer knows since now this drive is useless to me.

By: T. Brekke

T. Brekke — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:13:06 +0000

Most drives that come with encryption software can easily be removed by reformatting. This drive fails to have any method of disabled or removing the encryption software. Also the software will only work on windows which makes it completely useless for me as I only run Linux and Mac.