Hard Drive with zero size

[Wassy]

So I have a hard drive that does show up in linux as /dev/sda, so I know the controller is at least seeing that there is a HDD on the other end. The problem is that it doesnt see the size of the drive. Rather it reads it as 0 gig, even in the bios. Whats strange is that hdparm does detect the cylinders etc, but does not see any sectors. To me (a total nub at this so far) it seems that the head is possibly stuck, or some mechanical problem. What do you think?
I understand that this isnt very much info, I will get more info if needed when I get back to work tomorrow, was hoping someone has come accross this and has a clue. It is a seagate if I remmber correct as well, roughly 250 gig

[poehere]

This could be one of the Seagate FW issues on this drive A little more information would be helpful so that we can determine is this one falls under the FW issue of 0LBA. If this does there is a simple fix on this one and you might be able to handle it on your own to do this one. But before attempting this give us more info on this drive please.

[craig6928]

its possible it might be a firmware problem if its the version below

The Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 drive

The Seagate 7200.10 7200.9

we need to know more on the drive your recovering to help you more


Zero Size Error

Errors whereby certain models of Seagate hard drives are detected by the operating system but show up as zero in size have also been reported. This means that the drive is still picked up by the computer and shown under hardware devices, but it is impossible to copy anything to and from the drive because of the error. A firmware fix is available from the Seagate website if this issue affects your drive.

seagate release a firmware update to fix this problem
but im not sure if it will wipe the drive

[dick]

In this case a Seagate firmware update is like 'closing the gate after the horse has bolted'.

So now it would be:
Fix drive (might be firmware fault).
Recover data.
Update firmware using Seagate utility or better advice would be to discard the drive.

[Wassy]

K we got a
Seagate Momentus
5400.6
250 gig
wwn 5000C5001B4B3BB9
sn: 6vc0n7w2
st9250315as
pn: 9hh132 - 567
fw: 0002bsm1

hdparm results :
multcount = 16 (on)
IO_support = 1 (32 bit)
readonly = 0 (off)
readahead = 256 (on)
geometry = 0/255/63 , sectore = 0, start = 0

hope thats enough let me know if u need more

P.S. MHDD did not detect the drive, havent tried victoria, but the seagate tool did also confirm 0 gig

[poehere]

K we got a
Seagate Momentus
5400.6
250 gig
wwn 5000C5001B4B3BB9
sn: 6vc0n7w2
st9250315as
pn: 9hh132 - 567
fw: 0002bsm1

hdparm results :
multcount = 16 (on)
IO_support = 1 (32 bit)
readonly = 0 (off)
readahead = 256 (on)
geometry = 0/255/63 , sectore = 0, start = 0

hope thats enough let me know if u need more

P.S. MHDD did not detect the drive, havent tried victoria, but the seagate tool did also confirm 0 gig

I am sorry to say this one is not an easy to DIY repair on it. There are other issues with the 5400.6 series drive family. Some of the issue in this family are other problems. I do not think that you will be able to do this one alone and I would suggest that you find someone to examine this drive for you and get it analized. Sorry to have to say this to you on this one.

[Wassy]

Grrrrrr that sux. I did also check seagate for a firmware upgrade but found nothing. Tho there were some guys with similar issues on the 7200 line but there reolutions were firmware. I was really hoping ud say just open her up and nudge the head or somwthing. Oh well thanx guys for the advice