deepspar disk imager dying

[pcpete]

We have been waiting/dreading for this, our old Deepspar Disk Imager is dying. I think we need to replace it. I glanced at the Deepspar site and did not see the Rapidspar anymore. Is that discontinued? It would be a good fit for us as we do not use most of the advanced options on our current imager.

 

[phaZed]

What's it doing.. erm, not doing?

I think they dedicated a site to Rapidspar: http://rapidspar.com/

 

[pcpete]

it is not detecting the source and destination drives correctly. It is being very erratic.

 

[pcpete]

What do you guys know about the Data acquisition add-on?

 

[nlinecomputers]

You can’t ship it back and have it repaired?

 

[lcoughey]

Is it a DDI3 or DDI4 that you have?

 

[pcpete]

You can’t ship it back and have it repaired?

I doubt it. it is about 7 years old. I am sure they want to sell a new one

 

[pcpete]

Is it a DDI3 or DDI4 that you have?

DDI4

 

[lcoughey]

It is odd that yours isn't working now...I've got one of the first DDI4 units and it is working like a charm along with my other unit.

 

[phaZed]

Me wonders if it's a connector or SATA wire issue.

 

[pcpete]

It is odd that yours isn't working now...I've got one of the first DDI4 units and it is working like a charm along with my other unit.

I am guessing yours is on 24/7

 

[lcoughey]

Not quite 24/7, because I have lots of other options for imaging. But my DDI4 systems earn their keep around here.

That said, RapidSpar units are getting better with each update. So, it is certainly worth looking into. The advantage of the forensic add-on is that you can mount your task to Windows and it will clone sectors as you access them directly from Windows, MacOS or Linux and/or through whatever 3rd party software you choose.

 

[pcpete]

the forensic add-on is that you can mount your task to Windows and it will clone sectors as you access them directly from Windows, MacOS or Linux and/or through whatever 3rd party software you choose.

could you give me an example of a situation where this would be preferred over just imaging the drive, then scanning in a program after?

 

[phaZed]

could you give me an example of a situation where this would be preferred over just imaging the drive, then scanning in a program after?

If the customer only wants their quickbook file... or only their picture directory... it may be better to just "snipe" those. It can save time and by not hammering the drive you could very well get "what is needed" as where a full recovery could damage the heads, for instance.

 

[pcpete]

With the data acquisition add-on, usb add-on, and one extra year of Nebula service(save $100) it is about $3400. I think we will do it. Figuring we will only have 3 years to make it back, kind of sucks. That is almost $100/month. We use it all of the time just as a tool for cloning semi-functional drives(in addition for DR jobs) where ddrescue would be a good fit. Just for the time saved it will be worth it.

I figured three years of using it, by then I suspect we won't be doing that much on mechanical drives, or maybe be out of the break fix business.