Unless you just leave the computer on a table and look at it, that's fuċking fantastic. I'm lucky if I can manage a day without multiple finder crapouts. Finder is a terminally şhitty piece of software.
A lock-up per week? Get over it. And remember, Command+Option+Esc is your friend.
Oh, incidentally, LaCie is almost definitely talking out their åss about the "incompatible interface chips". They just don't know what's wrong, and are making something up to get you to go away.
No. The form-factor of the two converters are different enough that I have trouble thinking they use the same PCB. Also, since there is no need for 5V on this board, it's more likely the DC-DC is used for generating a lower voltage to run the ICs on the interface. If it was only for 5V, it would likely be unpopulated, since it's not needed in this context.
No one is contending an aftermarket drive wouldn't *work*, the issue is that an aftermarket drive causes the fans to run at full-power continuously, because it does not properly inform the fan controller of the drive's temperature.
And how do you know they didn't follow anti-static procedures? Are you able to psychically determine that the guy in the photos doesn't have an anti-static grounding strap pushed up one arm? Or maybe they're *really* professional, hand have anti-static matting and heel-straps, which don't require putting anything on your arms at all.
Just FYI, this is a *teardown* - that means it's NOT a DIY instruction set, and doesn't bother with discussing safety measures for taking care of your electronic.