Hi,

I have WD5003ABYX-23WERA0 model (500GB), which was factory-downsized by IBM (converted to model WD0163ABYX-23 which has only 160GB available).

I would like to restore it back to its original size.

Therefore I am looking for a complete firmware + ROM from the original drive.

model: WD5003ABYX-23WERA0
DOM: 02 SEP 2013
DCM: HGRNKTJCG
DCX: 1W07E68R9

Regarding 'Spin motor number': on the 'black' side of the drive it is written:
1278TNT02
S6 E3822E

Thanks in advance!
Artur

That sounds like something you may be able do with HDDHackr.

HDDHackr - lost UNDO.BIN - how to restore capacity:
http://malthus.mooo.com/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=141&p=248

Alternatively, dump the existing firmware resources with SeDiv and restore module 02 from 802F.

http://sediv2008.narod.ru/Easy3.9Passwo ... 567890.rar
http://sediv2008.narod.ru/Settings.rar

SeDiv WD Read ROM & Modules:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UgFfhkkAwY

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

Thanks a lot for your answer.
However this case turned out to be much more easy then I thought. No hacking was necessary.
It was enough to change the LBA (restore it to the original value) and now HDD is recognized as 500GB and works perfectly.

Best Regards,
Artur

One of my clients has 200 of the same drives as the OP. ArturG what tool did you use to restore the original LBA info to the drive? I have tried the WD lifegaurd utility, MHDD, Seatools, Atola, Bootit-NG all with zero success.

Maybe on your case some further hacking is necessary like changing mod 02 ?

Try to use Victoria for windows and detect the drive using PIO mode. Then click RHPA and HPA. Post screen captures. The drive should ID to victoria with it's full available LBA size as well and it should be easy to see if HPA is enabled to cup the drive size.

In any case if this doesn't help get a free DEMO of WDMarvel and try to read SA modules and ROM. If you manage to do so compress them using zip/rar and post here.

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I ran the victoria program and still no luck, RHPA and HPA ran as suggested with no changes. I will try WDMarvel next.

Ok. On your case the drive is NOT HPA locked.

This is a refurbished drive. Maybe IBM depoped it and run SS on it.

If the drive havebad heads those heads might have been disabled, turning the drive in a drive with less capacity but with working heads only.

Also there is the chance that the mod 02 was edited to reduce the drive capacity.

It might not be a good idea to return the drive to full capacity. It's possible that it have damaged heads and it's better to have a lower capacity drive that works rather then a non-working full capacity one.

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Maybe the drive has a locked DCO, in which you could use either of the following tools to recover its full capacity:

http://blog.atola.com/restoring-factory ... -capacity/
http://hdat2.com/

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

Hello, ArturG Please let me know how did you change the LBA value in the Hard Drive.

Thanks in advance!

Use Victoria for windows and remove HPA ?

If it doesn't work use WDMarvel DEMO and DUMP module 02 ? If you have a full version you can try to change config in SA. If not you can change config in RAM, save to file and upload to SA by VSC.

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you have a lot of problems with this firmware. try to go to the off site manufacturer. should help