I have nothing to say
So far I have same amount of information as you do
Perhaps we should wait for the news

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SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

You will know when this happens - Doomer will disappear from the forum for the next 6 months

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If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, you probably don't fully understand the situation. ... Mr Kipling

https://www.mjm.co.uk/

Hmm.....okay, let's wait and watch....

BTW, with hddguy's words, I have an another nice idea..

How about the drives, with severe scrach on platters, or one of the head is broken...and will need a nice amount of time/tension/money to get the exact compatible part and do the job, but are still being detected (I get these sort of drives, maybe all gurus do)..so, The Idea is...
I can make the drive being detected by 0 LBA in (As, it's the only criteria to be qualified for the free recovery, ofcourse after verifying the serial no.) then, send it to Seagate, get the data for free, and charge the customer a handsome amount for the valuable data...

I know, I am sounding strange (OK, Read: Bad).......but hey, it's Seagate who is offering Free Recovery......

And if Seagate denies, There are also possibilities for some legal proceedings (Miss you Duncan), as a point, there is no way for an end user to determine, which category his faulty drive falls in...as, no end user has terminal to diagnose the real problem....

Seagate WILL have to do the free recovery......

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I just hate spammers...It was a Spammer, who ruined my life!

I don't think it would be that easy
I think drive will go through RMA procedure first and then Failure Analysis will say whatever drive is affected by firmware problem or it's something else

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SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

HDDBUG, YOU NASTY !! THIS IS SCAM !!!

Seagate has put firmware update on a site
http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/s ... cId=207951
http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/s ... cId=207969

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/s ... cId=207957 - coming

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SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

... and we are counting the victims of the "solution"...

Did anybody try to update drives?
It seems like it works only for particular drives with particular PN

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SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

yes , some guys from croatia..but nothing..
use translator google
http://forum.pcekspert.com/showthread.p ... ost1253711

!!WARNING!!
The software and information in this article could be data destructive and/or render your hard drive inoperable if not followed carefully. It is always recommended to keep a backup of critical data. (On a Samsung Drive?) LOOOOL


LMAO Nice

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All went well until I plugged the drive in.

I've stayed away from this board lately because of the elitist attitude I've seen concerning issues. I wasn't finding anything very interesting and posts were flooded with 'Seek a pro' answers. This topic is great! It's interesting to read about solutions.

I think it's pretty clear that if you care about the data don't try this on your own. However if you're a hobbyist and want to mess around with an old drive for fun then there should be a community to discuss it with.

I'm a little confused, maybe one of you pros can enlighten me.

Why should this information NOT be available?

If it creates more dead drives, it is more work for me (I mean you) no?

Are you afraid the "end user" will make the drive a bit complicated to resurrect, and you won't be able to use your "express" recovery methods, and actually need to dig in a little deeper?

My apologies if the english is bad, it is not my native tongue.

Allen
Solution Recovery Services S.A.

Didn't see this in the post which may be valid to someone reading it.

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=207931

The problem with these drives is within the Service Area, information stored here is unique to each individual drive, and the drive will not operate if this information is missing, damaged, or even different to what its original information should be. This firmware is basically many instructions each instruction essential for correct operation of the HDD.

When you (home users, inexperienced newbies) try this 'quick fix' you are directly modifying the information stored here. This is very dangerous, and can result in total loss of data.

As for us using 'express' recovery methods, and needing to 'dig in a little deeper', when the SA has been completely damaged, no express methods or no ammount of digging will result in acces to data.

I think if you were to actually 'dig a little deeper' yourself, you will find more information on SA and a much more detailed explanation that I have given.

Also, did you read the warning at the top of the post??

End users and wannabe-pros make more damage. This is the problem. And when such tampered (I would say mast***ated !) drives arrive, usually it is a waste of time to handle them.
Add the fact that most of these drives are only filled with porn warez and emuled stuff like music etc. , the scenario is clear.
It's like poking with parameters on car ECMs : it's YOU inside the car. I wouldn't change anything on it beside the fact is is ILLEGAL.
Would I have to say I'm sorry if people screw drives and loose data ? No. They are aware. A lot of drives these days are being killed by self solutions. Maybe it worked INITIALLY, then.... (you know exactly what happens) . Welcome money. That's all.

I read the warning, Maybe you didn't. There are 3 options as I see it:

A. The user ignores the warning and fouls their drive. Sends it to a pro. You charge to fix it, or charge your fee for NOT fixing it. WIN
B. The user listens to the warning, sends it to you. WIN
C. The user is sucessful in following the directions, doesn't send it to you. Win for the customer, Loose for you.

And far as digging a little deeper. I've been recovering data since the 5MB external Apple drives for the Lisa (before the SA existed)

SRSSA
Allen

All this discussion is becoming pointless. PERIOD.

Somebody give him a gold star

You mean Gold Star the spanish beer or something like the Sheriff's star ?

You can't beat a Cruz Campo or San Miguel.
Don't you mean rusty sheriff's star?