Question 1

can this drive be used in a desktop like a regular HDD or does it have to be part of a nas array?

Accepted Answer

I have been using these drives as secondary drives in my computer for quite a few months now and they are working fine.  Just purchased a 6TB drive and installed it as a third drive and there are no performance issues so far. I have shared these drives on a peer to peer network and access them frequently from other computers. So, yes, these drives can be used in a desktop like a regular HDD. As to the technical specs and whether or not they will hold up over the test of time, that is a question for WD.

Question 2

does this product include a sata cable in the box?

Accepted Answer

I don't recall a cable being included. 
Pretty sure it is the bare drive only, in an anti-static bag, inside a small cardboard box.

Question 3

I have a Macintosh tower. Will this work for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, assuming your Macintosh is equipped with a SATA controller and you have an empty 3.5" bay.

Question 4

can I use this in a desktop or is this for NAS only?

Accepted Answer

You can use it in a desktop.  It does not have to be used only in a NAS.  In fact, I use it in a desktop without any RAID or NAS configuration/environment and it behaves like a normal hard drive.  I use it in a system that is on 24x7 and I wanted a drive that is meant to operate in such an environment. (NAS systems usually are on 24x7 and can be put under a larger workload than average desktop drives). This drive has the extra reliability, durability and warranty to be able to tolerate that type of environment so that is one of the reasons that I chose it.  I'm hoping it will last longer, before failing, than other regular desktop drives as a result.  So far it is looking good and I haven't experienced any problems with it.

Question 5

Is this refurbished OR new?

Accepted Answer

New. My two disks were delivered in apparently-new packaging. The date codes were 4-5 months older than the date that I received them. I didn't retrieve S.M.A.R.T. information before installing them in my NAS.

Question 6

I am running windows 7 64 bit. The system does not recognize the drive in either Disk Manager or in Bios. Any ideas?

Accepted Answer

We recently ordered 8 drives for a NAS device and had 50% failure rate on delivery.  We have done 3 RMAs with 2 vendors to get good drives.  Some drives arrived dead on arrival (like yours) and some had many bad sectors.  Once we got 8 good drives, they have worked well.  Suggestion that you RMA the bad drive and hopefully the next drive will be functional.

Question 7

What is NAS storage?

Accepted Answer

Nothing more than storage that is available to all (or some) computers on a network. Usually it's a non-Windows box that does nothing all day but authenticate users on the network and give them the data they requested. 
Think of it as an external hard drive that's running 24/7 that multiple users can access as a shared folder.

Question 8

would one of these work well in a HP mediasmart server as an extra storage hard drive?

Accepted Answer

I use mine mirrored in a Thecus NAS..never had an issue.  In fact I will be buying a spare in the event one drive ever fails.

I work for a company that uses these for extra storage..it is our go to drive.  Never hear of one failing..sorry but unfamillar with HP mediasmart server

Question 9

Can you use these as regular Desktop HDD's too?  I remember hearing there were some differences.

Accepted Answer

NAS drives are meant for 24/7 access but since they are network driven, they are not tuned for high volume, frequent access.  Try doing an Internet search for "NAS disadvantages" to learn more.  If your application is not too intensive, you might find one of the WD green drives a better option as they are designed for power efficiency.

Question 10

standard sata cable?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this drive uses a standard SATA connector and power connector.  You will need to provide your own cable.

Brand	WD
Series	Red Plus
Model	WD30EFRX
Packaging	Bare Drive

Interface	SATA 6.0Gb/s
Capacity	3TB
RPM	5400 RPM
Cache	64MB

Features	Available in capacities ranging from 1-14TB with support for up to 8 bays 5400 RPM performance class Supports up to 180 TB/yr workload rate NASware firmware for compatibility Small or medium business NAS systems in a 24x7 environment
Usage	For NAS systems

Form Factor	3.5"
Height (maximum)	26.10mm
Width (maximum)	101.60mm
Length (maximum)	147.00mm

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