drgonzo7

Just in case anyone else is trying to fix their ES.2 Seagate drives, there is a thread here which explains how to do it, as these drives work in a slightly different way to 7200.11 drives: http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/129551-unlocking-terminal-of-seagate-es2-in-bsyled000000cc-state/ I spent many frustrated hours trying to get the methods in this thread to work on my ES.2 drive only to discover that they don't work! My method for getting to the 'F3 T>' prompt is here, which doesn't involve trying to short two pins! Took me a few goes to get the timing right, but got there in the end, and my drive is back from the dead! Thanks to all those who have contributed to this thread, saved me a very expensive trip to a recovery centre (I ended up using the Nokia CA42 cable hack) It can be useful for owners of: ST3250310NS, ST3500320NS, ST3750330NS, ST31000340NS Cheers Damian

I spent many hours trying to fix my ES:2 before finding this thread and realising our drives worked in a different way - arrgh! Anyway, I also tried the 'shorting the two points' method, but either I wasn't skilled enough to get the timing right, or I wasn't shorting the correct points! I then tried the 'disconnecting the heads' method below, and with a slight modification of the method, managed to get to the elusive 'F3 T>' command prompt at last! My method was to loosen then screws on the right hand side (as you look at the PCB with the SATA & power connectors at the top) around the head connector, and then hold the PCB down onto the head connector with my finger - as soon as the 'F3 T>' message appeared, I released my finger from the PCB, and with the right timing, this disconnected the heads (I found this easier than quickly opening the connector screw). Once you've got the 'F3 T>' prompt, you just follow the instructions available elsewhere in these threads (you can tighten the screws once you've got spin down) Cheers Damian For my ES:2 I disconnected the heads at the moment you described. I could accomplish this by loosing all screws around the head connector (at unpoweerd disc), tightending the head connector screw a bit, so that it gets contact again, making procedure like you described and instead of short cutting just quick opening the connector screw. After spin down you can tighten the screw again. Maybe better for people that have no solder equipemnt or another PCB revision. Also the motor connector can be "disconnected" by unscrewing, if needed. Regards Stephan