Zalman "virtual" HDD case is amazing

+1
Sounds like a plan!

It's 30 € over here.
Just too bad I don't have a sspare 2.5" drive lying around...
As Jeff pointed out, they cost their weight in Gold right now (luckly grabbed a 3.5" 2 TB drive for 59 € just before the big raise)

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• If you like this project, please support it with your donation!      • Grab your HW info (HWIDs) here!     
• If you are a newbie, be sure to check out the DriverPacks tutorial!     • Here's how to create your own DP!

The write-protect tab is a feature i admire.  Is there a separate flash-drive embedded? If not, how do you select the chosen '_ISO'?
What were the power-pack details/mfg. and ratings, BTW?  Some generic power-packs should be replaced if possible, IMHO.

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http://www.zalman.com/eng/product/Produ … sp?idx=431
Ah, USB-powered; therefore HDD's are limited to a current capacity of 0.5A @ 5V for a standard USB2.0 port (depending upon USB-port fuse size).  This shouldn't be much of an issue if connecting to the rear of a newer motherboard, as advised by Zalman, as i've seen some using as high as 2.5A fuses (check mobo manual or OEM support page for specs; look for 'Dedicated USB Charging Port' for 1.5A max.).  Only use cables with gold-alloy plated pins as is standard in USB specifications to prevent excessive 'Voltage Drop' (not to mention avoiding the 'tin-whisker' phenomenon; ie: that white fluffy powder anywhere there is Pb-free solder &/or Sn-plating; not to be confused with 'tin-plague'; see NASA - Goddard for more info).  See Figure 1b in the following Intel document, pertaining to 'Voltage Droop'.
http://www.usb.org/developers/whitepape … boards.pdf
I see some users on that Newegg page have reported losing connectivity periodically; this may be why.  A dual-USB cord (Y-cable) with the data pins isolated from one male-end would be a likely 'fix', allowing a stable 1.0A minimum for the drive.

Don't even think of upgrading the firmware for this enclosure (if available) if stable connectivity is of any issue!!!

I'd hesitate to think of what endless torment connectivity issues could cause even the most patient of people, not to mention damage to the drive itself as some of it's firmware may be embedded with the platters!  Growing fonder of checksums for large files, too.
I note Zalman suggests holding the 'Jog switch' down for 3 seconds to safely remove if it's not available thru-GUI & then detaching the cable to power off (for the SE version).

...ah the petty details some neglect to add in technical documentation... and the errors sometimes!

I'd go as far as to say that any tech worth their salt would demand at least one!

Last edited by TechDud (2011-12-07 20:03:12)

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I also note that it is safest to remove the large USB-end first or to plug it in last, as the data lines connect last & disconnect first.

I note that there is likely more than one version of this hardware, not just color changes.  They may vary based upon controller chip, possibly firmware instead.
User Manual:  ZM-VE200 & 200 SE http://www.zalman.com/Eng/Contact/Downl … n_Proc.asp
I note from one site that it's an Oxford Storage Solutions (by PLX Technology) OXU931SF USB 2.0 to SATA II (1.5GHz) controller powered by an ARM7.  There may be a sticker on it; don't void your warranty if you don't have to (just sayin').

The ZM-VE300 is a USB3.0 variant & comes with a backup utility (and definitely uses a different controller).

Product_Brief_OXU931SF_Apr09.pdf --> http://www.plxtech.com/download/file/788
I note that NCQ is not supported.  Neither is Gen2m for eSATA (wudda???)
Product Comparison:  http://www.plxtech.com/products/consumer/das

A Product Change Notification was issued 27Sep10 http://www.plxtech.com/products/consumer/oxu931sf
The OXU931DS version was EOL'ed the same day; it is the only one listed on the Product Comparison to allow it's SATA ports to be reconfigured for eSATA. (huh???) Product_Brief_OXU931DS_Apr09.pdf --> http://www.plxtech.com/download/file/792

Product Change Notification only available to members; Detailed Technical Specs, Schematics & a document titled 'Using High Capacity Disks' are available through NDA.
I love PLX's slogan:

Short story long; there may be some SATA II compatibility issues (Samsung drives especially see SATA 1.5 Gbit/s and SATA 3 Gbit/s in the following link).  This may be like a 'Pre-standard implementation' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esata#eSATA

Although ZalMan insists upon their site that:

????

Last edited by TechDud (2011-12-16 20:14:21)

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I've has issues with this ve-300 enclosure and the SSDs I've tested with it

Crucual m4 128GB - "bad or N/S HDD" - won't go away, works fine in another enclosure

Intel 330 60GB - works, but only in USB2, firmware freezes in USB3 port (ZM-VE300 frozen on display, drive is undetected)

Can anyone confirm an SSD that works in this?

Tried the new firmware, problem still persists

Can't I just take a photo? rather not void the warranty

Warranty doesn't run out till July

No one else I know has one of these, and I'll be out of poket for the shipping if I return it

OEM said contact Zalman, Zalman said to send the SSD to them so they can test it