Some ST 7200.7 drives include the M25P05-AV serial flash memory chip.
As I understand the function of this chip is it is factory programmed to DL
code from non-volatile memory to RAM to be executed by processor on power up.
One would then assume that this chip is essential to the drive in the event
for pcb compatibility and faulty pcb replacement.
So the following tests were done :
3 perfectly good working drives ST380011A F/W 3.06 - (Part No, HDA P/N and Config did not match).
2 drives (1 & 2) did not have serial flash fitted and pcb was of short type.
1 drive (3) did have serial flash fitted and pcb was of the long type.
Test results :
The two pcb's from drive 1 & 2 worked fine on drive 3 !.
Drive 3 pcb did not work with Drives 1 & 2.
The above was also done with 3 ST340014A F/W 3.06 drives - no compatibility found.
Conclusions : none.
If anyone can point me to direction of method to access 7200.7 FW I will be glad to receive
any info by pm.
http://www.st.com/stonline/books/pdf/docs/8818.pdf