The Solution for Seagate 7200.11 HDDs

[jaclaz]

My real problem is that my ST3500320NS ES.2 HD become ST_M13FQBL with a MAX_LBA: 8089950

this problem seems like not match any solution above!!

Your real problem is NOT reading the READ-ME-FIRST (and try understanding what is written in there):

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=143880

Since you have a DIFFERENT problem from the ones this thread is related to, start a NEW, SEPARATE thread DESCRIBING fully your problems.

Till now you have posted two times (in the WRONG place) without giving ANY useful info.

Start a NEW thread.

Describe FULLY what happened and how and when it happened.

Use this as a quick reference:

http://homepages.tesco.net/J.deBoynePollard/FGA/problem-report-standard-litany.html

jaclaz

[BetKing]

I just bought this converter. On the first page on the photo from the whole setup up there isn`t any SATA-powercable connected to the HDD. This is, why i am a bit confused.

That "converter" outs 2.8 volt on the Vcc? Is that sufficent?

[zosch]

Hm ok thanks. I have`nt seen the READ_ME_FIRST thread. Maybe it would be better to put it on the top at the first page...

That "converter" outs 2.8 volt on the Vcc? Is that sufficent?

It`s the same converter Gradius used, so i think it should do the work.

Edited May 19, 2010 by zosch

[jaclaz]

The converter doesn't "out" ANYTHING on the Vcc (Vcc is the power input of the converter)

It's signal levels (TX) are in the LOWER TTL range if powered at around 3V, which is the one documented to work. (again read READ-ME-FIRST), point # 11) in this case.

A known exception is this specific board:

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=449

that switches output levels autosensing the voltage you power it with, thus you need for this a voltage around 3 V for this to work properly.

Read this also:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128807&st=2330

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128807&st=2332

jaclaz

[BetKing]

The converter doesn't "out" ANYTHING on the Vcc (Vcc is the power input of the converter)

It's signal levels (TX) are in the LOWER TTL range if powered at around 3V, which is the one documented to work. (again read READ-ME-FIRST), point # 11) in this case.

A known exception is this specific board:

http://www.sparkfun....products_id=449

that switches output levels autosensing the voltage you power it with, thus you need for this a voltage around 3 V for this to work properly.

Read this also:

http://www.msfn.org/...=128807&st=2330

http://www.msfn.org/...=128807&st=2332

jaclaz

Yes, I realize that you power the Vcc from external PSU or such. But, isn't Carter (the guy that made the guide above) using the +5 V of the old PSU Molex plugs, and not ~ 3,3? As I see it, he taps it of the Molex to SATA power adapter.

Another thing, why isn't he connecting the third pin (from the right), next to the RX pin to ground, like a lot of others here seem to do? Is it enough to connect GND to the power of the SATA adapter on the right (blue rectangular on the pic)?

Just trying to be 110% sure of things before I sink my teeth into the beef, so to speak.

[jaclaz]

Just trying to be 110% sure of things before I sink my teeth into the beef, so to speak.

Look, I have spent a reasonable amount of time to try and write a (hopefully) easy to follow READ-ME-FIRST, EXACTLY to AVOID having to reply yet another time to SAME questions.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=143880

7. GROUNDING:

Since, as seen above the actual 0's and 1's are obtained by a difference of voltage relative to 0V, it is VITAL, to ensure that TTL level communication works as expected, to have the same 0 V level on ALL equipment involved.

This is obtained by connecting ALL the 0 V or "Ground" of ALL devices involved together (normally and by convention a black wire is used).

I will repeat myself, you NEED a (black) wire connecting:

• the HD "Ground" pin
  
• the (standard PC) Power Supply black wire
  
• the converter "Ground" or 0V pin or connector or wire
  
• if a battery is used, the - (minus) side/pin of it
  
• if a separate Power Supply is used, it's black wire or 0V pin or connector or wire
  

WHAT is the difficult part in it?

However, let's see if I can put it in a quick Q&A form:

Q1: Will it work if I DO NOT connect the GROUND?

A1: Who knows? Maybe yes, maybe not, there are so many factors involved, including if using a RS-232 or USB converter, a battery or the PC PSU to power the converter, a laptop or a desktop and the actual Power supply used to power the HD, that there is NO way to know in advance. We have so many posts of people whining about being unable to connect or seeing only gartbage on the screen WITHOUT proper GROUNDING that we have lost count of 'em, so I would say that on average NO, it won't work.

Q2: Will it work if I connect properly ALL involved equipment to GROUND?

A2: YES.

Make your choice... ...but choose wisely...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097576/quotes

But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.

Yes, I realize that you power the Vcc from external PSU or such. But, isn't Carter (the guy that made the guide above) using the +5 V of the old PSU Molex plugs, and not ~ 3,3? As I see it, he taps it of the Molex to SATA power adapter.

I'll try again:

A known exception is this specific board:

http://www.sparkfun....products_id=449

that switches output levels autosensing the voltage you power it with, thus you need for this a voltage around 3 V for this to work properly.

Does Carter appear to have been using the known exception?

Or a Pololu converter that can be powered by ANYTHING in the 3V up to 5.5V range?

http://www.mapleleafmountain.com/seagatebrick.html

A Serial(RS-232)-to-TTL adapter

Pololu Deluxe Serial Adapter P/N: 23201a (Manufacturer's Site)

...

This particular model is also smart enough to sort out some issues with a range of voltages (3v to 5.5v) that a novice just trying to get his data back shouldn't need to deal with.

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/126

This deluxe serial port adapter (RS-232 adapter) converts logic-level signals to the higher voltages required for RS-232 and similar serial ports. Unlike competing units, the Pololu serial adapter operates over a 3-5.5 V supply range and gives you access to all eight of the signal lines available on a DB9 connector, including five transmit lines and three receive lines.

Evidently giving on the TX line ANYWAY the "right" TTL level if powered at +5V?

jaclaz

Edited May 19, 2010 by jaclaz

[BetKing]

Yeah, sorry about that, I kinda missed the (3 - 5.5V) thing on the Pololu.

I was however more certain that I would want to ground that pin, was just curious why he hadn't done that in the guide.

[BetKing]

Tell you later how it works out.

Please keep us updated!

Greetz,

Peter.

Ok, here goes. Just tried it now I have all the details sorted out, and this is how it went.

Need I say more?

One ST3500620AS OEM Dell (DE12 Firmware) now "fixed":

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

User Partition Format 5% complete, Zone 00, Pass 00, LBA 00004339, ErrCode 000

00080, Elapsed Time 0 mins 05 secs

User Partition Format Successful - Elapsed Time 0 mins 05 secs

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I give the Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter A+++ grade. The price was €9.27 + VAT and shipping (kit, you had to solder it together).

Thanks guys! Keep up the good work/advice.

Edited May 19, 2010 by BetKing

[jaclaz]

Another happy bunny in the basket.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128727&st=10

jaclaz

[BetKing]

Another happy bunny in the basket.

http://www.msfn.org/...ic=128727&st=10

jaclaz

Want to hear something really funny? Or nice. I actually saved a hare (bunny) from a Fox the other

night. When the fox saw me it ran away, and the hare was saved.

I wish I had taken a picture of it all, but even then, it was too dark.

[Chilli]

7. GROUNDING:

Since, as seen above the actual 0's and 1's are obtained by a difference of voltage relative to 0V, it is VITAL, to ensure that TTL level communication works as expected, to have the same 0 V level on ALL equipment involved.

This is obtained by connecting ALL the 0 V or "Ground" of ALL devices involved together (normally and by convention a black wire is used).

I will repeat myself, you NEED a (black) wire connecting:

• the HD "Ground" pin
  
• the (standard PC) Power Supply black wire
  
• the converter "Ground" or 0V pin or connector or wire
  
• if a battery is used, the - (minus) side/pin of it
  
• if a separate Power Supply is used, it's black wire or 0V pin or connector or wire
  

I think that the black cable is not necessary in most cases.

1) If you have potential separation in your serial adapter cable (that's what good adapters do...) it's sufficient to connect the GND on the HD side of the serial adapter cable to the serial GND at the HD serial connetor (no black cable necessary).

2) If you do not have potential seperation and connect the serial cable GND to the HD serial GND (on the HD serial connector) you "short cut" it to the computer GND anyway (no black cable necessary).

ad 2) I did not check if serial GND on HD has a protection resistor like Rx and Tx, but if not, a break of the power GND would drive the whole HDD current over the serial GND in that case (what it is not intended for). So black cable or missing potential separation of serial adapter might even have draw backs.

The only thing you must not do is use 20year old power supplies that do not have potential separation from the power line... In this case, if you apply the black cable, the smoke on the black cable or the popping noise of the electrolytic capacitors in the power supply might prevent you from destroying your HD ;-).

Regards

Chilli

[jaclaz]

Chilli,

yes, I perfectly know, but since most people WILL NOT use a good converter, nor a good power supply, they will see garbage on the screen and come here whining about it.

If the devices are grounded there are NO chances it will happen.

See if you agree at least with the Q&A form :

However, let's see if I can put it in a quick Q&A form:

Q1: Will it work if I DO NOT connect the GROUND?

A1: Who knows? Maybe yes, maybe not, there are so many factors involved, including if using a RS-232 or USB converter, a battery or the PC PSU to power the converter, a laptop or a desktop and the actual Power supply used to power the HD, that there is NO way to know in advance. We have so many posts of people whining about being unable to connect or seeing only gartbage on the screen WITHOUT proper GROUNDING that we have lost count of 'em, so I would say that on average NO, it won't work.

Q2: Will it work if I connect properly ALL involved equipment to GROUND?

A2: YES.

Make your choice... ...but choose wisely...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097576/quotes

But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.

From experience, I can tell you that if you tell people that something is:

• VITAL, ABSOLUTELY NEEDED and IMPERATIVE, most (but not all) will follow the advice and have no errors.
  
• IMPORTANT, a few will follow the advice and have no errors.
  
• PREFERRED or RECOMMENDED, they will largely do ANOTHER thing, and most of them will have errors.
  

jaclaz

jaclaz

[BetKing]

The PSU I used and have been using, and it's almost 20 years old (15-16), but I dare you to say it's not any good. It was built in "the good old days".

It's been through hell and back, and still works 110%

[mundy5]

dude, that's awesome; sometimes the older electronics are more stable and longer lasting than today's cheaper component driven systems.

The PSU I used and have been using, and it's almost 20 years old (15-16), but I dare you to say it's not any good. It was built in "the good old days".

It's been through hell and back, and still works 110%

[zzbao]

HI，I have a problem

My HDD is ST3500320NS,product of Thailand

I use a USB-TTL Connect HDD and PC

and I Run HyperTerminal,and i press CTRL+Z,i don`t see "F3 T>" only a “Right Arrow”。

i don`t know why

Edited May 30, 2010 by zzbao