[PROBLEM] Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 stopped working

[Nunchaku]

Hi guys,
firstly sorry for my bad English!

I have a Seagate Barracuda HDD with the following specifications:
Family: 7200.12
Model: ST3500418AS
Size: 500Gbytes
P/N: 9SL142-300
Firmware: CC34

Last Wednesday, I turn on my PC and it don't boot. When I looked in the BIOS, saw that my Seagate HDD was recognized as 0MB and 0LBA!!

I tested this drive on my other PC with different hardware, with other SATA cable, Power Supply e SATA ports, and the problem remains the same.

I tried the solution provided in this thread: http://forums.seagate.com/stx/board/message?board.id=ata_drives&thread.id=13745, but the SeaTools return an FAILED message.

What can I do to solve this?
Can you help me, please?

[poehere]

normally this is caused by bad sectors in the SA or failed heads on the drive if the solution can not fix your problem. You should send it in to someone who can changes heads for you on this drive

[Nunchaku]

Thanks by reply!

I'll spend too much with this procedure? There's other more simple solution?

My HD still have garantee until 2013. Do you know if Seagate is forced to pay the service of data recovery for HDs with unusual errors, like mine?

[Doomer]

Do you know if Seagate is forced to pay the service of data recovery for HDs with unusual errors, like mine?

they don't

[msurgeon]

The method you tried will not fix the problem. However, the solution is in this forum. Search the forum for 7200.11 problems and you'll likely find the answer.

[fzabkar]

The method you tried will not fix the problem. However, the solution is in this forum. Search the forum for 7200.11 problems and you'll likely find the answer.

Does the fix for the 7200.11 "0 LBA" firmware bug also apply to the 7200.12 series?

[msurgeon]

Same drive architecture. so same solution applies.

[Nunchaku]

Thank you all for replies!

Same drive architecture. so same solution applies.

Does the firmware of 7200.11 may be used in this 7200.12? Are them compatible?

[pepe]

surely not.

[Nunchaku]

surely not.

So, where can I download a firmware compatible with this 7200.12 drive?

[pepe]

U cannot repair this problem by downloading/upgrading FW to the drive.

[Nunchaku]

U cannot repair this problem by downloading/upgrading FW to the drive.

Swap the logic board maybe fix?

[drc]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Nunchaku]

U cannot repair this problem by downloading/upgrading FW to the drive.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Ok, but I have some remaining doubts:
- Does it's a hardware or software problem?
- What is the real problem?
- Will I have to open the HD to fix it?

Thank you for the patience!

[falther]

Sorry, but as you even cannot or do not read the answers:

Keep your hands off that drive - if it contains valuable data -
and contact a pro - or if you dont want or cannot afford the
costs yet - store it on a save place until ..... 20??.

If it does not contain valuable data - RMA it.

If you want to loose data + drive: - go on, open it , swap pcb
and/or copy wrong FW onto it - as you please.

And an answer: NO, there is no other trick. hint or suggestion
which was not yet given to you.

+++

[hddmania]

If you need your data back, call around some data recovery places and get a few quotes. This way you can decide if the data is worth whatever the price they tell you. If it is important enough, then you can go with the recovery or put the hard drive somewhere safe till you can afford the recovery. Often time the data will not go bad if you put the drive away in an anti-static bag and somewhere not too hot or too cold.

Or ask quote here on the forum. As long as you tell them what country you are in, you'll get a few via PM.

[Nunchaku]

Sorry, but as you even cannot or do not read the answers:

Keep your hands off that drive - if it contains valuable data -
and contact a pro - or if you dont want or cannot afford the
costs yet - store it on a save place until ..... 20??.

If it does not contain valuable data - RMA it.

If you want to loose data + drive: - go on, open it , swap pcb
and/or copy wrong FW onto it - as you please.

And an answer: NO, there is no other trick. hint or suggestion
which was not yet given to you.

+++

Man, I read the answers, but were somewhat confused.
First some said it was problem in SA or in the head, then said that the solution to the HDs 7200.11 was applicable to 7200.12. Finally said it was not possible to solve my problem by updating the firmware.

But I finally received an objective response, from you.

I can pay to recover my data, but if I could do it myself would be better.
I appreciate your help, and now I understand that's the only way is pay to somebody do it.

Thank you all!

If you need your data back, call around some data recovery places and get a few quotes. This way you can decide if the data is worth whatever the price they tell you. If it is important enough, then you can go with the recovery or put the hard drive somewhere safe till you can afford the recovery. Often time the data will not go bad if you put the drive away in an anti-static bag and somewhere not too hot or too cold.

Or ask quote here on the forum. As long as you tell them what country you are in, you'll get a few via PM.

I'll do that, thanks.

[cuudulieu]

I was so, HIX HIX

ST3250318AS
FW: CC44
7200.12
Size 0Mb
someone please help me?

[mattbrad2]

Why not try the 7200.11 BSY fix that a few members have told you to try? That seems the "easiest" method at this point short of sending it to a professional. Opening the drive should be a last resort and if data is that critical on it, your chances of a DiY fix here is slim to none. If it's a corrupt firmware issue, your also SOL. This requires specialized diagnostic equipment (read: expensive) to fix.. that you do not have. So to summarize: YOUR only hope here is that its the Seagate BSY bug. Your next option is either a) send it to a pro or b) ruin the drive completely by taking it apart and trying a head swap.

[Corsari]

To the attention of the Forum's Gurus

can you kindly sentence if the BSY fix (the one for 7200.11) may work on 7200.12?

Better would be to have some feedback by somebody who tried it

Another question is about some files for 7200.12 available in the PC-3000 download section: is that piece of firmware there for this same issue?

Thank you all for any confirmation and or answer.

Kind regards

R.