On Jan 19, I/O Magic released an 8gb version of its GigiBank portable USB storage device.
Features:
- USB 2.0 connection, backwards compatible with USB 1.1
- The USB connector can be ‘tucked away’ when not in use
- 2″ x0.5″ x2.5″
- Less than 2 ounces
Full Press Release
I/OMagic Enhances its Portable Storage Line-Up with Release of its GigaBank™ 8.0
Easy to Use, Pocket-Size 8GB(a) Storage Device is Targeted to Mobile Consumers
IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 19, 2006–I/OMagic Corporation (OTCBB:IOMG – News), a leading provider of data storage products, announced today that it is set to ship to retailers the latest product in its portable storage line-up, the new GigaBank(TM) 8.0. The GigaBank(TM) 8.0 has a capacity of up to 8GB(a) of storage space in a miniature and lightweight USB 2.0 unit, designed to store MP3s, video and photos as well as back up documents or transfer files.
Source: I/OMagic Corporation
“We see tremendous growth potential with portable storage devices,” states Tony Shahbaz, president of I/OMagic. “I/OMagic’s product marketing strategy is to try to provide user friendly, stylish products that have the greatest storage capacity possible for consumers. We feel the GigaBank(TM) line fits within this plan, as they are targeted toward mobile consumers and carry large quantities of music, photos, video or documents with them where ever they go.”
The GigaBank(TM) 8.0 is small (2″x0.5″x2.5″) and lightweight (less than two ounces) and it requires no battery or power adapter. It is powered through a USB 2.0 port (which is also USB 1.1 backwards compatible). When not in use, the USB connector can be conveniently tucked into the enclosure. It comes with a USB extension cable for hard to reach USB ports. The GigaBank(TM) 8.0 is plug-and-play compatible and it supports Windows XP/2000/ME/98SE.
The I/OMagic GigaBank(TM) 8.0 will soon ship to national consumer electronics and office supply retailers and has an introductory MSRP of $199.99.
(a) Note: 1 GB=1 billion bytes.
A user’s total accessible memory/storage/data capacity will be less than stated as a result of the user’s operating system and other factors.
About I/OMagic
I/OMagic is a leading provider of data storage products (such as CD-RW and DVD+/-RW drives, USB Portable Storage Devices and floppy drives, including its MediaStation, DataStation and GigaBank(TM) products). The Company sells products under three brand names — I/OMagic®, Hi-Val® and Digital Research Technologies® — through nationally-recognized computer, consumer electronics and office supply superstores and other retailers.
Forward-looking statements in this release with respect to the anticipated shipment date and sale price of the Company’s new GigaBank(TM) 8.0 device, as well as product performance, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the Company’s dependence on the PC and consumer electronics industries and on product lines based on new technologies; the Company’s ability to develop new products based on new or evolving technology and the market’s acceptance of those products; manufacturing capacity, availability and reliability; competition and pricing pressures in the technology industry; general economic and business conditions; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
I/OMagic Corporation
Nancy Andrews, 949-707-4806
nandrews@iomagic.com
or
Investor Contact:
Aurelius Consulting Group
Dan Werneke, 407-644-4256
dan@aurcg.com
www.runonideas.com
I bought your I/O Magic Gigabank 8MB and has been working very well about a month. Than all of sudden when I try to use again nothing happens or virtual drive does not show-up by pluging into USB port. Please call me to suggest what should I do to make it work again. Thank you Tejpal Basra
Same thing happened to me. I called I/O Magic about it and they said I corrupted it and must send it to them in order to have it replaced and my data recovered. That is a major pain. Anyone know how to recover the data myself??
Same here – not detected when plugged into the USB, and no blue light. Anyone know how to fix short of returning the unit to I/O?
Same problem. I have used the drive a total to two times. The rest of the time it has been sitting in a box on my desk. How in the world can a portable drive get corrupted by sitting on a desk? Wow!!! Will definitely find another brand to try.
Same problem here, too. If anyone comes up with (or hears of) a solution short of returning the device, please do share it — I live abroad and it will be a HUGE hassle for me to send this thing back to I/O Magic.
exactly as this one I have. Does this company jump into releasing it without beta testing it first? I’m not sending it back for them to repair it i’m just gonna toss it and recommend my other friends to NOT buy it. period!
i am having the same problem with the gigabank…i have a lot important data on it….i try using all my other computers to open it up but it say its not detecting it…WHATS WRONG WITH IT…is there anyway i can recover all my important files????
Same as the others. Computer no longer recognizes the drive. What a piece.
Same as the others. Always safely removed hardware. Now no blue light. Compaq usb shows inserted but 8gb doesn’t respond.
This also happened to me. Maybe a little more testing before they release their products would be nice.
I have the same problem, I contacted LIVE tech support, and they CAN’T do anything about it.
I saved the conversation, so if someone want’s it send me an e-mail at: elfory@gmail.com
What a crappy device . . i only worked once. . . I backed-up my data, formatted my PC, and when I tried to restore my data . . . NOTHING!!!
Same as the others. No blue light.
The device doesn’t respond
My usb GIGABANK 8GB is not recognized after araound two months of usage.The Data could not be retreived.It is regretted that my comments mentioned earlier about my problem have not been posted on this web site?.Although I have informed the matter to above given email address but have not received any response.I shall be thankful if any body can guide at my email address:
minamjafri@hotmail.com
All my files are gone!
Magic my ass!
I’m having the same problem as most everyone else here. I bought a IO Magic 80 GB and used it about 4 times. When I pug it in, the computer doesn’t recognize it. A piece of junk!!
Unfortunately, this product looked very tantalizing. I mean, 8GB? Wonderful! I was having a ball this the last couple of months with it. I got this in the first place because I wanted my files backed up in case of a computer crash. Then last night, my computer and the other two computers in the house wouldn’t read it! No blue light either. How frustrating! I had a lot of important files on there- especially some documents I had been working on for months! Does anyone know if the files are corrupted, or the USB connector is the problem? I/O Magic has lost my business.
I have the 500GB and it has the same syptoms as all the 8GB’s on this page. I have 250GB data stored on it. The blue light comes on the PC starts to read it and then a noise from inside the drive ocurrs and the light goes out with a different repeating noise. I/O Magic lost my business tonight. My drive is 2 months old? I would like to take it apart if anyone knows how the case comes apart???
I have a Gigabank 250GB. Was working for 3/4 of a year and now my computer won’t detect the drive. The drive boots up fine. In windows Xp, it just goes “found new hardware” and gets stuck at installing it.
Same problem. Our organization bought this thing and it apparently worked for a short time then nothing. The one I have is a little black and blue box with a swing out USB … not the silver one with cord I see on their web site. Can anyone tell me approximate age of my (presumably) previous generatiion 8gb model?
I had the same damned problem. It worked perfectly, and then it quit. No reason whatsoever. I’m taking it back to Staples.
Read the foregoing 20 responses…kind of says it all – great for a handful of instances and then no recognition of the device (after all the data has been saved to it).
Wow, when I copy and pasted the press release here I did so simply because this little box looked like a pretty slick little device.
After the 20+ posts here all saying it’s basically a piece of junk I’m glad I didn’t go out and buy one.
So, any of y’all that have had problems have any suggestions for something else that has worked for you?
My Gigabank 80 was working between two computers for the past year. Nary a problem. Worked with it last night on both machines (laptop & PC). This morning, nothing! I tried everything on the support site before contacting live tech. Before they even let you through to one, you have to describe everything. Tech gets on and asks what’s the problem… Detailed it all again and he had me do all the stuff you are supposed to do before you get through. Fine, but then when he couldn’t come up with a fix, or didn’t have the OO’s to tell me it’s fried, he left me hanging. I asked if he was still there–no response. Finally I just said when you find an answer, email me & left my email address. I did back up three weeks ago so all is not lost, except my business with I/O Magic.
O.K. Everyone this is not a very good news, but is worth to let this out for those out there who are still interested in buying Portable Storage Devices. My recommendation: always have a backup of some sort. After investigating, and dissecting in detail this GIGABANK I/O MAGIC storage device. I have found that the circuitry of this device may play a great role in this gadget malfuntioning,or dificiency. There is a CompactFlash Card inside this tiny silver box, most likely on every single product of this type as far as I am concern. This CF(CompactFlash) requires specials configurations when connecting and installing the CF to a CARD READER (HINT) or a 50 pin connector, such as the circuitry desing for I/O MAGIC Products. The CF desing by SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, has a hole on one side of the CF. You can see it for yourself at this link http://www.seagate.com/support.....75652a.pdf
They refer to this hole as ” Breathing Hole”. The design of the small circuitry boad designed for I/O MAGIC products does have a hole as well, but they may have overlooked that the hole is not inline with the breathing Hole to keep the ST1.2 Drive,(as refer per SEAGATE) ,cooler. Which means that if the device is worked pretty rigoursly at morning time, it may very well just fried, and not work by the afternoon.
So, use your best judgment or ask a friend whose familiar with this type of gadgets if you are planning on buying one soon.
My suggestion Flash Drives.
For those who may still have their GIGABANK in their possesion, try a CompactFlash Type II Reader, you may have luck pulling your data out this dead box.
Good Luck!
Pman
FYI!
A few steps to open this tiny box.
1> Use a flat head screw driver to lift the edges of the aluminum covers as this may be glue to the surface.
2> Use a small phillip screw driver to remove the only one screw attaching both pieces.
3> Remove CompactFlash Card from the pin connector very careful as you may bend and break a pin inside the tiny holes on the CF Card.
4> Now, just insert CF Card to the CompactFlash Type II reader.
These steps are only
applicable to GIGABANK 4.0 through
8.0 GB Portable Devices.
Good Luck!
Pman
Thanks for the great tip, Pman. Not quite there for my poroblem. Per your suggestion, I carefully removed the ST1.2 from the Gigabank 8gb case and put it into a Compact Flash reader. Got some clicking like it wanted to start, it showed up as a detected drive very briefly but wouldn’t read, and then nothing. Still nothing, including no detection now of the drive in My Computer/Properties/Manage. Any other help you might be able to provided, I’d greatly appreciate! Thanks. Jim
Help, I’m not a tech wiz, so taking my defunct 8Gb Gigabank apart and replacing the CF reader is not going to happen. Does anyone know of where I can restore the information for cheap?
Thanks!
O.K. Guys,
I have determined that the CompactFlash is Out!
Jim, I am looking for a solution on how to remove data from the tiny registers use to cache data in to this tiny device.
May not be so lucky
Kelly, Are you trying to restore Data or Pics?
Try this option to restore Pics…
http://www.flash-memory-recovery.com/, you may also try the links in this URL.
Good luck!
Pman
Thanks, Pman! The dat I have on the card is also mostly image-type files – PDF’s, TIF’s; JPG’s (as paint shop pro files), GIF’s and the like. I’ll try your suggestion to Kelly later today. The amin problem seems to have been that the device is not detected so far. I’ll let you know. Thanks again! Jim
I have a combination of data/image files. I’m very annoyed as this has the past 5 years of data history for me.
thanks for the suggestion, I will try that and let you guys know if it works. Cross your fingers!
Hey, I just had the same thing happen to my Gigabank 8.0 today where it is no longer recognized by my computer. looks like i’m not the first. Anyone figure out a way to retrieve/recover data on it???? Does opening the case work? HELP!!
This is how my gigabank 500 story ends:
This drive has been returned to Future Shop.
The FS technicien declared this drive defective and asked me frankly, ” Why did you buy this piece of crap? Get yourself a real hard drive from a real company. ”
Apparently, so many of your products are defective that FS will not be ordering any more product from you. i/omagic trick = dissapearing data. I lost 100GB of data. Good job guys! Hang your head low in your cubicle with the knowledge that your work for a truely low grade company.
I dare you to answer this email with a meaningful reply!
I’m off to install my new Seagate drive.
Good ridens to i/omagic
Well, I don’t know who you’re daring to reply since this isn’t the iomagic site.
Heck, I just posted this press release because it looked like a pretty cool little product. Glad I didn’t buy one like I was planning.
Well Guys,
At last after all the hard work, we have recover all data from this tiny little magical piece of…..art!
Just kidding…I’ll will never ever suggest an I\O Magic product to anyone in my life, unless they start some realistic magical products that can be of good usase for a while and for a good reasonable price. We sent our storage device to a Data Recovery Center….got the data for for a few benjamins…Yeah when your data is worth lots of money, you are better off spending a few Benjies..
Good luck!
Pman
Prognoxman, I have same problems like everybody here… Where you sent your storage?and how much cost? and how about the information privacy?
This ” magic” company should pay for everything.
I am no tech geek by any stretch. But it was a simple task. I took mine apart using a small screwdriver, plugged it into the flash drive and was able to recover all my data. thanks pman
Really disappointing product though.
after reading all of these comments I opened up my 80GB gigabank and pull the flat part inside. it looks like your motheboard and attach to a set of pins. after taking it out and making sure the pins were secure and snap it back together and my 80GB harddrive WORKED!!!! I copied all 46GB of files onto my 500 segate portable harddrive.
to Debbie F
I also have a 80GB gigbank..
How does this sucker come apart ?
Same story here with my 80gb ext. drive which has “magically” gone incognito. Same story with IO’s live chat help desk. My local CompUSA guy suggested we could take out the drive and intall it into another reading device for under $50 so I’m going to try that first. If not, the lowest data recovery quote I got was just under $200. What pisses me off is that I ordered my unit through Dell. Anyone intersted in a class action suit?
Ok, I’m back. I bought a CF Reader and am ready to dismantle this piece of cr*p like the comments advised to do. One thing did cross my mind. Doesn’t this device have a disk in here and not a CF Card? Is this a lame question or what?
I’ve lost access to data on my 8 GB Gigabank too! I just disassemble the case to discover that the black, light red and white wires going into the USB port are broken. How do I fix that???? If no fix, how do I proceed getting my data?
Ok, it’s me again, I meant the USB cable, not the port. A bit frazzled by this situation! So it’s the wires from the circuit board to the USB cable that are broken. Any suggestion for next steps?
Same problem here. I am “lucky” that my 8Gb Gigabank worked roughly 30 times in 2 years and was not carrying important stuff when it died a few days ago… A class action suit would be in order, I guess!
I opened the case per Pman’s instructions. I hoped I could reuse the CF card, which is a Seagate microdrive. No luck with that either. The drive appears kaput.
Incidentally, I used an IBM 1Gb microdrive in a camera, and it also died on me recently. Microdrives are far from being as reliable as solid-state memory, it seems.
I had this stupid thing for about 9 months!!! I had tons of corp. files and pictures for the last past three years!!!!!
Please if anyone has recovered thier data please let me know how you did!!! Please!!!
The problem with this device is 99% of the time is the wires to the USB connector. The wires will come off the drives circuit board that the USB connector is attach to inside the case. I was able to open my one time and fix the wires. Gave it about another month and the wires came off again. The neat hide away USB connector is well neat and thats about all I can say. For as usable with out any wires coming lose is another question that should be asked.
No blue light indication, its not working at all. I have lost my all the important stuff. Hi..God please save me …Hello I/o Magic do some magic man.
Mine quit today – what a shock! And then I found this forum. I was sorry I had not backed up. I was ready to tear the thing apart, but kept trying to wiggle the connector and get it to recognize the drive – it worked! I held it tightly in that position while I copied to my hard disk. What a long 20 minutes, but it copied all my files. I then took it apart – will not trust it again. No sign of the wires being frayed or off the drive, but something happened. I was lucky – just keep trying, you might be also. Good luck!
This is exactly what happened to me. It’s sad that I’m not the only one that’s had a drive, which had been working perfectly the day before, all of sudden unable to load anything and have the computer not recognize the drive. I am now looking up data recovery centers to hopefully recover this info.
I also bought the I/O Magic 100GB Gigabank 2.5 USB drive. Item: IUSB100HD25
I used about once every 2-3 months. This morning I plugged it in and copied some files. I then disconnected (properly) and then after Windows said it was ok to unplug my device I did. After a few minutes I remembered some other files I wanted to copy. Plugged it back in. NOTHING. I do get blue lights, just doesn’t show in Windows. Tried other USB ports, and on my desktop. Drive lights come on and appears to spin up (you can hear it if you place your ear close), but no drive appearing! I went through their live chat, all kinds of nonsense steps, USB drivers, confirm via Disk Management tool, the idiot even tried to get me to install updated intel IDE drivers, that weren’t compatible with my mobile device. Finally he (she?) gave up and sent me RMA details. I said I really just wanted my data back, I could care less about the PoS drive. Tech support gave me some links to 3rd party drive restore services and said they (iomagic) would only replace the drive, not repair or recover my data for me. Can you believe it? I will NEVER, I mean NEVER buy from these guys again. What idiots, to put something out that you RELY on for backups and then it just QUITS after only a few uses. I’m so pissed. I’m going to try later at home using the second USB connection (maybe it needs more juice now that more data is on the disk, causing reads closer to the edge, or?) and then will try to disassemble and repair myself (will post here if positive results). Rest assured companies like these won’t survive. Now, if the rep had admitted that there was a problem with these drives, offered to overnight (free) my drive and get it fixed or at least get my data back on DVDrs for me then I would be singing a different tune. Obviously the customer ISN’T first for this outfit.