For those users who use Lacie 2Big devices, they do not run a software OS on the disks, they run what is called hardware RAID. This runs right from the mainboard or motherboard of the device if you will.
To upgrade simple:
1) Insert two Seagate-brand NAS disks of the same model and disk size, in my instance I downgrade from a 2x5TB disks Enterprise to 2x4TB disks NAS by Seagate.
2) Hold down the Lacie reset-pen or if you don't have it, a normal real pen will do to hold down the 'Select' button on Power-on for about 10 seconds. The Fast / Safe lights will start flashing.
3) Click the pen a few times on the Select hole to choose 'Safe or Fast'. This will install the setup of choice on this device and format the drives.
Tip! I have noticed that changing it to the opposite setting of what you previously had might be required to force a re-format on the newly inserted disks.
Download Lacie Desktop Manager (google it) to check the RAID-status on your device once the drives get formated.
The normal format time is about 10 seconds. We are talking fast, quick-format here by Lacie, writing 0's over both of the disks nearly instantly.
Enjoy.
@Jason would appreciate a follow-up as well, was this successful? – trisweb – 2014-09-15T15:48:40.317
1@trisweb It was, I went from 500GB drives to 1TB drives. I did one at a time...Swapped out one, waited a week, then did the other. I purchased 2 1 TB Hitachi Deskstar drives (7200 RPM). I can't remember it being terribly difficult of a process either. – Jason – 2014-09-15T18:43:48.917
Thanks so much for the first-hand report. Just ordered two 3TB drives to try to upgrade a 2TB (dual 1TB) 2Big. Will use the same strategy and report back on results so this thread remains useful (it's near the top of search results). Thanks again. – trisweb – 2014-09-15T23:38:24.527
1SO, I can get 2 1TB drives and take one 500GB out, throw in the new 1TB and let it rebuild then repeat the process for the other disk? – Jason – 2011-03-04T15:10:22.283
@Jason Yes...that in theory would work. RAID can be an interesting animal...proceed with caution (make certain your data is backed up before proceeding). – Aaron McIver – 2011-03-04T15:55:11.607
@Jason Keep in mind the drive will need to be formatted via LaCie software if they supply it or via other means before it can be used. – Aaron McIver – 2011-03-04T16:01:44.130
Thanks...it looks like Lacie keeps the system on the disk so I'll have to try to rebuild it...keeping my fingers crossed – Jason – 2011-03-04T18:42:17.940
how did this go and what drives did you get? I want o do the same with by 2 big lacie drive. – v3nt – 2014-01-24T12:13:27.020