Problems with external Raidon RAID-1 array. Cannot format.

Having had good experience with a Raidon external RAID box in the past, I recently purchased another one to use as part of a larger backup scheme on a new workstation.

Its specs fit the bill perfectly, in that I needed a simple, directly attached RAID-1 array with easily swappable drives. (Not a NAS or a DROBO, etc)

-The machine is running Windows 7 ultimate, x64
-The Raidon in question is the GR3630-SB3
-The Drives in the Raidon are WD RE-4s, 2TB each.
-The RAID is set to RAID-1
-The same behavior is seen whether the array is connected by eSata or USB 3.0

When I attempt to format the array through computer management with two drives in it, the array freaks out, the alarm starts shrieking and the device locks up at between 15% and 20% of a full format.

If I repeat the process with a single drive in it, the format works. However, when I then try to rebuild the primary drive to a secondary one, the alarm is triggered and the RAID becomes unrepsonsive, without indicating fan or temperature failure. Also at between 15% and 20% of the rebuild.

All of the WD drives in question have perfect SMART attributes, and format just fine when done as individual drives.

1) Any advice? Or does this just sound like a bad RAID unit? Am I missing some critical step here?

2) Has something happened to Raidon? I can't seem to get a response from either the main site or Raidon-USA, and both sites seem to be buggy and lacking in information and drivers. Links don't go to the right place, etc.

3) Assuming the unit is dead, and Raidon is out of business or just hopelessly unreliable, can you recommend a solid external RAID-1 array with easily swapped drives?

Thanks in advance all!

 

Just to clarify: When the RAID locks up, it's front panel controls become unresponsive and the formatting (or rebuilding process) halts. I've left it going for overnight and there's been no recovery.