Castlewood Systems ORB2SE09 2.2GB External SCSI PC Removable Media Drive

ORB disks can be used in a variety of applications that require storage of large amounts of large files and digital data, such as music and video editing, graphic design, publishing, and multimedia presentations. Information technology markets are expected to use ORB drives as a way to easily and quickly back up data and increase PC storage.

Castlewood also provides ORB Tools, a feature-rich suite of functions designed to help manage your ORB disks and make backups as intuitive for the novice as the professional. ORB Tools feature write protection, disk partitioning, formatting, a file archive called "tracker," ORB disk duplicator, SCSI mounter, and other useful maintenance functions. The ORB Tools Backup Suite includes one-click backup, volume copy, image copy, and professional backup. For the novice, ORB's one-step backup sets a standard for thoroughness, simplicity, and security by automating system disk and file backups. Also, ORB drives use a new design that eliminates the need for disk formatting.

Product Description
Castlewood's removable media drive product, named ORB uses 3.5" removable media with a capacity of 2.2 GB, more than any other product in its category. Additionally, at an impressive 12.2Mbps maximum ORB sustained data transfer rate-the fastest transfer rate of any removable media product available today-is completely "video ready." ORB disks can be used in a variety of applications that require storage of large amounts of large files and digital data, such as music and video editing, graphic design, publishing and multimedia presentations. Information technology (IT) markets are expected to use ORB drives as a way to easily and quickly back up data, and increase PC storage.Castlewood is providing ORB Tools, a feature-rich suite of functions designed to help manage your ORB disks and make backups as intuitive for the novice as the professional. ORB Tools feature: Write Protect, Disk Partitioning and Formatting, Set ORB as Fixed or Removable, a file archive called "tracker," ORB Disk Duplicator, SCSI Mounter, and other useful maintenance functions. The ORB Tools Backup Suite includes 1-Click Backup, Volume Copy, Image Copy and Professional Backup. For the novice, ORB's one-step backup sets a new standard for thoroughness, simplicity and security by automating system disk and file backups. Also, ORB drives use a new design, called "headerless ID," thus eliminating the need for disk formatting.

Since I was outside my warranty period, I purchased another; this time a straight SCSI unit. It exhibited the same difficulty as my last drive, but this time right out of the box. I tried a number of disks, including a brand new one and nothing helped. I sent the unit back and three weeks later -- received its replacement. Imagine my chagrin when I found this new one exhibiting the very same difficulty? Is it possible I received two faulty drives? Was it possible I was doing something wrong, (after successfully doing it right with my first unit for better than a year)? Or was there some design and/or quality control difficulty with the SCSI unit itself?

Attempts to contact Castlewood by phone were all in vain. I even sent an extensive explanation of my difficulties via E-mail; but to date, there has been no answer. I recently asked the vendor for my money back. I simply gave up.

In the meantime, I have 130.00 dollars worth of Orb disks that are totally useless -- to say nothing of the backup material thereon.

I often wondered why Castlewood did not swamp Iomega in their sales, since with the former, one got so much more for the money. Now I know. I still my have SCSI connected Zip drive after four years. It works just fine.

The Orb is, apparently, poor quality merchandise. It is a great idea, but it simply doesn't measure up in practical terms. Further, I find now that both the product and the company -- with reference to its customer support -- leave much to be desired.


Never had one problem in the last 15 months   March 18, 2001
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I bought the original aqua-blue version of the Orb Drive about 15 months ago. I got the USB version, and I recomend this one for a very important reason: The USB version is actualy the SCSI external drive with a USB - to - SCSI adapter. Meaning, you can use it BOTH ways as a SCSI or USB.

With Win98, I average around 1.4 MB per second transfer. I have yet to try the SCSI interface, but it's probably six times has fast. (I'm basing this on the fact the old legacy SCSI interface is itself six times as fast as USB.)

in Windows ME, I average about 1.2 MB per second. With Windows 2000, I get about 1.9 MB per second. The nice thing about Windows2000 is it automaticaly detects the orb drive at OS installation time. I never once had to install the driver. (Although you do have to manualy install the driver for Win98, but it's easy and painless.)

I HIGHLY recomend this drive to anyone.


bad product, worse customer support   September 30, 2000
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I bought one of these a year or so ago, and 1 of the 3 discs I bought didn't work right out of the box. The drive itself lasted about 3 months before it broke completely. I've been calling orb constantly ever since trying to get them to replace the drive (under its warranty), and have finally resorted to writing them letting them know I'm contacting my lawyer. Luckily, I had a friend who had an orb drive of his own, so I was able to get my data off of the discs that did work.

Don't be fooled like I was by these people.