Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 Troubles

[rimask]

Hi,

Today I got back my HDD from Data recovery service. Since they ask 1000 USD and I dont want to spend so much for 2 weeks Seagate HDD usage, I got my HDD back.

The guy at recovery service was rather kind. He says he gets Seagate HDD every day for recovery. Since they have clean labs, they do some head replacements. They get some parts directly from Seagate. He does not advice to do at home, as dust may complicate things. So guys work in clean environment! He says in his experience, HDD from 500 Gb are not reliable, tend to fail. Most problem is head misalignment.

Here are his comments after evaluation:

"Our data recovery specialist had done an evaluation on your hard disk. There are multiple file structure damage and read write errors on the hard disk due to a head misalignment. The firmware and translator on the hard disk is also corrupted.

We will need to use an identical head to replace the head in the hard disk our clean lab, reload the firmware and fix the translator to enable data retrieval.

Data should be recoverable if translator corruption is not too severe."

[quattro150]

Just curious...

Assuming you had the BSY bit problem, how was he able to detect that you had multiple file structure damage and read/write errors without fixing the firmware and translator first? Did he move your platters to a good drive, read, and found that you had errors, put it back, and ship it back to you?

I'm hardly a HDD expert, perhaps they really do have some way to check it out... otherwise, I think it's just a load of **** to get you to pay more than you should... but that's just me..

Hi,

Today I got back my HDD from Data recovery service. Since they ask 1000 USD and I dont want to spend so much for 2 weeks Seagate HDD usage, I got my HDD back.

The guy at recovery service was rather kind. He says he gets Seagate HDD every day for recovery. Since they have clean labs, they do some head replacements. They get some parts directly from Seagate. He does not advice to do at home, as dust may complicate things. So guys work in clean environment! He says in his experience, HDD from 500 Gb are not reliable, tend to fail. Most problem is head misalignment.

Here are his comments after evaluation:

"Our data recovery specialist had done an evaluation on your hard disk. There are multiple file structure damage and read write errors on the hard disk due to a head misalignment. The firmware and translator on the hard disk is also corrupted.

We will need to use an identical head to replace the head in the hard disk our clean lab, reload the firmware and fix the translator to enable data retrieval.

Data should be recoverable if translator corruption is not too severe."

[poolcarpet]

Wow! if your hard disk is only suffering from the BSY and 0 LBA problem - but yet they give you such diagnosis, that is worst than daylight robbery!!! Question is how to determine if your hard disks (and ours as well) is truly suffering from the BSY and 0 LBA problem and not a real hardware fault.

How long did you use your hard disk before it failed and was it subjected to any physical damage???

Hi,

Today I got back my HDD from Data recovery service. Since they ask 1000 USD and I dont want to spend so much for 2 weeks Seagate HDD usage, I got my HDD back.

The guy at recovery service was rather kind. He says he gets Seagate HDD every day for recovery. Since they have clean labs, they do some head replacements. They get some parts directly from Seagate. He does not advice to do at home, as dust may complicate things. So guys work in clean environment! He says in his experience, HDD from 500 Gb are not reliable, tend to fail. Most problem is head misalignment.

Here are his comments after evaluation:

"Our data recovery specialist had done an evaluation on your hard disk. There are multiple file structure damage and read write errors on the hard disk due to a head misalignment. The firmware and translator on the hard disk is also corrupted.

We will need to use an identical head to replace the head in the hard disk our clean lab, reload the firmware and fix the translator to enable data retrieval.

Data should be recoverable if translator corruption is not too severe."

[poolcarpet]

Hi all,

For those who cannot buy the Schmartboard which Fatlip used (maybe not in US), perhaps you can try to make your own.

If you go to http://www.schmartboard.com/index.asp?page...lated&id=84

there is a detailed diagram given. Just grab the parts and make your own, I'm gonna try that at least to confirm if I see the same LED CC error via the terminal.

[rimask]

Hi,

I think I used the HDD for 2 weeks only. The I put whole 1 Tb HDD with the data (maybe only 30 Gb free space). After defragmenting few times (<15% free space), the HDD is not more recognized. Sure I have no mechanical damage (tried only replace PCB). I think too, here is some firmware issue.

rimask

Wow! if your hard disk is only suffering from the BSY and 0 LBA problem - but yet they give you such diagnosis, that is worst than daylight robbery!!! Question is how to determine if your hard disks (and ours as well) is truly suffering from the BSY and 0 LBA problem and not a real hardware fault.

How long did you use your hard disk before it failed and was it subjected to any physical damage???

Hi,

Today I got back my HDD from Data recovery service. Since they ask 1000 USD and I dont want to spend so much for 2 weeks Seagate HDD usage, I got my HDD back.

The guy at recovery service was rather kind. He says he gets Seagate HDD every day for recovery. Since they have clean labs, they do some head replacements. They get some parts directly from Seagate. He does not advice to do at home, as dust may complicate things. So guys work in clean environment! He says in his experience, HDD from 500 Gb are not reliable, tend to fail. Most problem is head misalignment.

Here are his comments after evaluation:

"Our data recovery specialist had done an evaluation on your hard disk. There are multiple file structure damage and read write errors on the hard disk due to a head misalignment. The firmware and translator on the hard disk is also corrupted.

We will need to use an identical head to replace the head in the hard disk our clean lab, reload the firmware and fix the translator to enable data retrieval.

Data should be recoverable if translator corruption is not too severe."

[killerB]

Hello. I'm from South Korea.

I was a victim of this ****'ing "no dectecting" problem too.

(st3500320as, sd15, made in thailland)

Of course, so many people in here too. So they call seagate 7200.11 is "timebomb".

I believe this must be firmware issue as you people think.

Because some of korea data recovery company started service that fixed sd15 firmware problem last december.

(http://www.datadisk.co.kr/notice.htm?st=view&id=12)

(http://om-data.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=notice&wr_id=17)

Anyway, I was fan of Seagate. But I turned. I will never use Sea "timebomb" Gate again.

7200.11 series sux.

1. late of 2007: st3500320as buffer memory remarking issue. (this was 32MB model. but firmware information shows 8MB.)

2. Raid = freezing

3. Timebomb : No dectecting or LBA=0.

I wanna get my data back. But recovery cost too high for me. US $200~400.

So I wait for DIY solution that you people find..... I hope you finally find way to fix in neary future.

Thanks.

ps. My WD6400AAKS was back by PCB swapping. But ST3500320as didn't.

Edited January 6, 2009 by killerB

[poolcarpet]

killerB,

Salvation Data HD Doctor for Seagate 3.0 is supposed to be able to fix this BSY and 0 LBA problem. It costs USD500. Right now, another option is to look for people in the same region/country/city and lower the cost of the USD500. With enough people, it will be relatively cheaper instead of sending to data recovery companies who will charge and arm and a leg.

Then it is good bye Seagate.

[Fuzzy_3D]

And if you sold it once you were done, it would end up being even cheaper.

[Ruddrage]

And if you sold it once you were done, it would end up being even cheaper.

Send it over to the UK when you've fixed you HDD

Seriously though, my drive failed on Sunday and I've just ordered a Western Digital Caviar Black, I contacted my supplier and they said that although people were returning the drives it was not as many as they sold. These drives really are ticking time bombs.

Thanks to all the guys who are trying to fix this.

[Fuzzy_3D]

I've just ordered a Western Digital Caviar Black, I contacted my supplier and they said that although people were returning the drives it was not as many as they sold. These drives really are ticking time bombs.

I got a 1TB Caviar Black the week after my seagate failed too. As far as 1TB drives go, it's got the best rating, and that's really all I have to go by.

Whereas before, anything seagate would do, I guess now they've shown their true colors.

[quattro150]

Finally built a simple circuit for the RS232 translator.

Powered on, and saw this:

LED:000000CC Faddr:0024A051

LED:000000CC Faddr:0024A051

So I know it must be the BSY problem.

Followed the steps from the Pichi, and now the drive is detected by BIOS, but with 0GB. BIOS also shows there's a HDD failure.

Loaded Seatools, and it found the drive alright, but can't do anything to it. Same thing with MHDD.... shucks...

mabe the next few commands still need to be done through the RS232 port....

[criverock]

Pichi, in the whole comunity you are probably the only one who can reach the knowledge and the right amount of luck to solve the problem via terminal.

We belive in your right open mind against whom try to sell the problem and make money with solutions.

If you made any progress to find the right terminal command about the other few steps that are needed to maybe fix the HD, please let us know!

We know that you are working hard, thanks for that!

[cengizhan]

I have 5 of them. They are almost full. I dont know what to do. I cannot backup 4.5TB of data. I am really mad that i may spend all may savings for WD 1TB disks.

[poolcarpet]

Seagate finally contacted me, and this is their response. Looks like a canned response to me...

"Thank you for sending your SEAGATE E-mail inquiry.

Unfortunately there is not firmware update your model drive. Would it be possible to see if the drive exhibits the same behavior from another PC? If the drive exhibits the same behavior on a different computers then the drive is faulty and the drive will need to be replaced. To set up an RMA online, please visit our website: http://www.seagate.com. Click on Warranty, then click on Return a drive as guest user. If you would like to call us to get an RMA for your drive, please call our warranty services line at 1-800-732-4283 and choose the option for Product Return Authorization.

If you need the data stored in the drive I would advise contacting our data recovery department at 1-800-475-0143.

If you have any additional questions, please let me know."

[hoggiee]

poolcarpet:

How good is that chance that HD Doctor will be able to solve this problem? If it's surely working, then please count me in. THanks!

killerB,

Salvation Data HD Doctor for Seagate 3.0 is supposed to be able to fix this BSY and 0 LBA problem. It costs USD500. Right now, another option is to look for people in the same region/country/city and lower the cost of the USD500. With enough people, it will be relatively cheaper instead of sending to data recovery companies who will charge and arm and a leg.

Then it is good bye Seagate.