Ximeta Combo 160GB 802.11g router

Ximeta has created a rather odd marriage (well, maybe not that odd), combining an external 160GB hard drive with a 802.11g wireless access point and router, in their NetDisk Wireless. Really, for Ximeta it makes perfect sense, since if they were going to have a wireless version of the NetDisk product, it wouldn't take much more on their part to make it a router. It can be easily used as a backup drive and any computers connected to the network will have access to the drive (hopefully without all those lame NDAS drivers Ximeta usually requires to use their drives).They also announced software for the Playstation 2 which allows video, audio, and images to be streamed over your network from the NetDisk.

[Hooty @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

If I was buying a router, I'd definately buy this one! I have wireless notebook, and once I move from my desk I don't have access to my movies - this would solve this problem.

[C. Galtenberg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

What if you already have your wireless router? Is there a solution to "add a hard drive" that everyone has access to? (This seems like a stupid, obvious question... it just hasn't become ubiquitous enough for me to be able to find it, yet.)

[HD @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

This is awesome! Shit, this is an awesome combo that will do very well. Watch out for OEM's coming out with similar products.

As for C. Galtenberg's comment, check out ximeta.com for their consumer NAS solutions. I think they're network hdd's run about $200+ at various e-tailers. But, you will be forced to use their drivers to use the hard drive, it's a weird setup. There are several reviews of the ximeta NAS drives online.

[HD @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

This is awesome! Shit, this is an awesome combo that will do very well. Watch out for OEM's coming out with similar products.

As for C. Galtenberg's comment, check out ximeta.com for their consumer NAS solutions. I think they're network hdd's run about $200+ at various e-tailers. But, you will be forced to use their drivers to use the hard drive, it's a weird setup. There are several reviews of the ximeta NAS drives online.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I've got one of the ethernet/USB drives, and the only way to CONSISTENTLY, RELIABLY connect to it is via USB. The Ethernet attached part HUNG, when transferring 1GB, requiring a reboot to my PC. The drive just sat there, half copied file and all :(

Unless they fix this stupid NDAS driver thing, I'd say "Stay as far away from this thing as you can"

[William @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

It's definately a nice product.

Another solution is to buy the Netgear Wireless Router (WGT634U) which has a USB 2.0 port. Which means you can connect a USB flash drive, or other USB storage device to it.

[kareem @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I have a Ximeta 160GB external HD, and I gotta agree, their NDAS drivers suck. It was only with their latest release that I could actually get this working over my LAN (I had to use USB2 until then). In theory, it's a good idea, but this implementation is sloooow (especially compared to USB2) and until the drivers are native to Windows machines, stay away.

[Drew from Zhrodague @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

You can check your location, and view other wireless access points in the area at http://www.wifimaps.com. You can see the channels of other local APs to set yours accordingly.

[edomingox @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I installed the drivers fine on my old windows xp home but i upgraded to windows xp x64 bit edition and the bus driver doesn't install. Therefore the program runs but can never register the device cuz it doesn't connect. what is the fix for this? ximeta.com doesn't have any x64 bit drivers.

[ximtasucks @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Ximeta sucks. Do not buy their equipment. I bought 120Gig external drive with NDAS. It broke in less than 9 months. Their tech support phone number goes to a full answering machine.... LOSERS. This is a bad company that will take your money and give faulty equipment.