Buffalo TeraStation questions

[MDOC7]

I received a Buffalo TeraStation that was previously used by my church.  Model number: HS-DH2.0TGL\R5-R

 

I have questions; I'm not familiar with the equipment.  I am, however, computer literate and a programmer.  I've downloaded the software and documentation for the model number without the "-R" suffix.  I haven't read the manual yet. 

 

I have a wireless router with LAN interface, I know I can attach the TeraStation to it through the Ethernet port.

 

Question1: Will it be compatible with Vista Ultimate?  Win XP Pro? 

 

Question2: can I install only 2 drives instead of 4, and can I use any capacity hard drives?  I know that they need to be SATA drives.

 

Question3: Note the "-R" in the model number.  What does that denote?  Searching the complete model number here returned nothing.  A sticker attached to the bottom model/serial/MAC-address bigger sticker shows the model number without the "-R".  The bigger sticker has the model number with the "-R" suffix on a smaller sticker applied over the original number.

 

Question4: Any caviats to watch out for?  Any setup quirks?  How reliable is it?

 

Question5: How old is this technology as applied to the Buffalo TeraStation?

 

Thanks for any help. :)

[MDOC7]

One question is answered, apparent from a search online: "-R" = reconditioned or refurbished.

[MDOC7]

OK, the first two questions are lame.  What about the remaining questions (4 and 5)?  Bump...

[MDOC7]

bumpity bump

[davo]

Question 4: I've had mine for 4-5 years, haven't had a disk failure yet.

Question 5: It was developed about 6 years ago and discontinued around 3 years ago.

[MDOC7]

Wow, short life.  What would that tell ya?

[davo]

Most NAS models from all manufacturers have a life of 2-4 years.

[MDOC7]

OK, so does that necessarilly mean I should not use a used NAS (minus the drives) if it's 4 years old or more?  Or is this short span merely due to the life of the drives themselves?

[davo]

your average life span of any HDD is roughly 4-5 years. There is no reason why you should not use the Terastation.

[MDOC7]

OK.  One more question: the "2.0" in the TeraStation model number--does that mean it's the maximum total capacity of the 4 drives supported by the TeraStation?  Can you use a higher total capacity? 

[davo]

No, it means it originally came with 4 x 500GB HDD -> 2.0TB

Yes you can use a higher capacity, usually 4 x 1.5TB disk (this was the max size sold by Buffalo) however some people have reported using 4 x 2TB HDDs successfully.