How can i do a Lacie backup of only what i have new on my hard drive? when i open the backup function, it wants to start from the beginning, taking hours

Here is what LaCie suggests about this issue:- first backup any data you have copied on Wireless Space. You can also backup your configuration: from "configuration" tab of "Support" widget, click "save" button next to "Configuration file", it will download a backup file.
- still in "configuration" tab of "Support" widget, tick the third box labeled "Restore device to factory state (data erased)", or any equivalent quote in selected language, and click apply
- the device will reboot, rebuild hard drive image, then reboot on default state. The issue is definitively fixed
- it is recommended to apply latest update downloaded from LaCie website
- you can restore previous configuration in "configuration" tab of "Support" widget, click restore and select previously downloaded backup file

It sounds like you have damaged the drive.

The clicking sound is a mechanical failure where the the read arm inside the drive is hitting the magnetic platters. You should backup your data immediately as drive failure is imminent.

Robert from Blitware

I suggest an application called "Disk Warrior" it has always maintained high ratings among us Mac enthusiasts it has a hardware test function built into it and seems to be a little better at verify and repair functions than Disk Utilities which you can try also if you haven't yet. You may also consider trying a different firewire cable if you have one handy. Other than that a reformat should have put the disk back into an original state however the disk could have been damaged by not un-mounting it in rare mac cases. If you have the time you can also reformat the disk again although I would try the first two options first.

>> my computer could not repair the hard drive

It seems that the disk-drive is "dying", and the "table of contents" on the hard-drive has become corrupted, and automated attempts to "repair" the corruption have failed.

>> the hd is being offered with limited functionality, basically read-only.

Yes. Take this as a "hint" that the disk-drive is about to "die".

>> It recommends that I back-up the info elsewhere

Good advice. Take the advice.

>> and reformat.

This may help -- it will identify any "bad" spots on the hard-drive, and will either permanently avoid using those bad spots, or it will allocate a "spare" track on the drive to be used as a substitute for the "bad" area.

However, even after doing this, I would not "trust" the device to be a "reliable" backup for my important files. Like a well-used chalk-board in a classroom, the disk is getting "worn-out".

If it's still under warranty, exercise the warranty.
If the warranty has expired, replace it.

Bob,
I had a similar problem with two LaCie external hard drives.
LaCie doesn't manufacture hard drives, they only purchase drives from other companies, like Seagate, and mount those drives in LaCie external enclosures.
If the drive is nearing the point of total failure, then your Mac is letting you know that point is very close. You had better find a new backup device to use. The Mac will let you access the drive for a while longer, but if you do not act, there will come a point when the Mac will not be able to read the data on the drive and any backups you have there will be lost.
When you get a new external hard drive to use for backup, you may not need to do anything with the current drive that is failing, as long as you do not anticipate that you will need anything from the backups that it contains. You can set up the new device as your primary backup. I would then advise that you perform a total backup on the new device ASAP, so that you are not left without at least one good backup.

u need to install the driver

Data recovery software.

Check this link:
http://www.software.com/view/8384/72/easeus-data-recovery-wizard-professional-4-x

I am not really sure where to start here because I am a little confused about your setup here. It seems you made a great choice to keep Windows and your data on separate drives. Your primary hard drive is a really fast SATA Raptor drive, which is great, but I would never use an external hard drive for general everyday data storage. Many will probably disagree with what I have to say, but external hard drives should really be used only for temporary backup. I would never suggest using an external hard drive as your only copy of your data or for regular everyday use. There are several reasons for this:
1. External Hard drives are generally slower than Internal Drives.
2. Many of them come preformatted with Fat32, so you are limited to files no larger then 4gig.
3. They are more likely to fail because they are normally subjected to a greater likelihood of accidental bumping or dropping.
4. Many external drive enclosures are not properly cooled for continuous usage and thus lead to premature failure.
5. You often have no idea what brand of hard drive is actually inside the enclosure.

Don’t get me wrong, external hard drives are wonderful and I use them all the time. I have three LaCie 160 gig drives myself that I use all the time for temporary backup, but I rotate them so that I have 3 consecutive backups and would never use them (not just Lacie but any external drive) as my only backup or as a primary data drive. And yes, I have had to replace a few of them due to failure.

So to address your specific questions:

What went wrong? –
1. Bad Cable - Well it is probably unlikely, but I would first try another USB cable just to make sure the cable is not damaged.
2. Power Supply - Try another power supply if you have or can borrow one.
3. Controller Failed – The Controller inside the Lacie has failed.
4. Drive Failure – The Hard Disk inside the Lacie has failed. Drives typically have an average 5 year lifespan, some last longer and some can fail much sooner. Unfortunately, you rarely have any warning, thus the need for backups.

I solved the problem. It was a power supply problem. It seems after searching boards on the net, this is a common problem with the lacie hard drives. Just replace the power if your hard drive is clicking and not mounting. I think many people must be throwing the drives away thinking they are lost when it is just the power supply. Try this first before trashing it or spending a lot of money on data recovery programs/

yess this is normal