PC3000 UDMA Buying advise

[odedshankar]

Hi Guys,

After 2.5 years in the field and purchasing many tools i am thinking about buying a PC3000 UDMA.
I avoided that at the begining becuase of the high costs involved but i'm starting to get more jobs now.
I would love to get your advise regarding the tool and if i really worth the money.
I have several good data imagers at this stage so data extraction is not my focus although it is usually required on the same device after some FW repair or at least make it easier to extract without power off in some cases.
I am more concern about the ability to use it for more complex jobs like firmware corruptions, ROM Corruptions and repair after heads replacements like tuning MicroJogs etc.
And mostly about their manual, so they offer all this knowledge of repairing FW for all HDD brands in their PC3000 UDMA manual?
Do they have some case studies of what need to be done after heads swap for different types of drives etc.
Does all the functions of the tool explained properly in the tool.
At this stage in my learning i know that learning how to use it is the most important and case studies.


Any advise would be great,
Thanks,
Oded

[BlackST]

Absolutely go for it, but remember it's always a TOOL , what matters is YOU behind the tool itself.

It can be a good mate or a very expensive doorstop depending.... right, on you.

[Nick_CT]

What he said ^

Also, perhaps wait until the new one is released before buying?

[odedshankar]

Thx guys.

I believe that the real difference for me if it will be a doorstep or a useful tool is the manual they provide with it.
Is it comprehensive enough to learn the functions?

When do they plan to release the new version?

[Nick_CT]

For me, the manual wasn't a huge help, it was more experimenting with it where I learnt the most. It was at least a year before I felt fairly confident using it.

Contact their sales department, they can help you.

[BlackST]

Manuals don't help if you don't have sufficient background, experimenting helps. At least you'll have a tool that work , 95-99%

[labtech]

The manual is pretty well written compared to most other tools.

The manual will help broaden/solidify your understanding about data recovery fundamentals. That said, when dealing with failed drives, things will NOT necessarily go the way the manuals explain. At this point, this is where the brains and experience come in place in knowing how utilize the tool and get around issues using tricks.

Lastly, do not expect that the manual will be able to resolve the recovery issues at hand, especially with newer and new drives, as more often than not, new drives fail far sooner than what the manuals will teach/instruct/talk about.

I also recommend to wait for the new PCIe based tool. Few thousand more per unit, but I think it will do the job of about two PCI units more or less. Thus eliminating the cost of a second unit should the purchase be of the PCI UDMA. Of course, depending on the size of your operation.

Best wishes

[Dmitriy`]

PC-3000 Express is available already.

[labtech]

I was told recently by Ace that "in a month in will be available". But I do not know anymore...
Best is to ask yourself I guess.

[jono-ats]

It's a great tool but it takes a long time to become proficient.

The ACE manuals tell you more about how the tool and hard drives work than exactly how to do a data recovery step-by-step.

I am told that most people who buy them are intimidated and do not use them much. So be prepared for a long learning curve.

[CK]

Agree with Jono, I've seen people buy a PC3K and give up on it after a couple of weeks. Perhaps they thought it was a "point and click" solution for all drive failures. I'd certainly recommend buying it but prepare yourself for a long road of learning - and not on your customers drives! I remember my first PC3K ISA version - the manual was terrible but the guys at ACE have come a long way since then.

[odedshankar]

Thanks for your advise folks.
After 2.5 years i am not looking for a one button solution, i learned the hard way that it doesn't exist in this industry.
At this stage i gained some knowledge on many drives, firmware and manage to recover from wide range of cases from heads swaps, motor seizure, heavy bad sectors, encrypted sata drives etc.
So i gained a lot of knowledge but not enough and also i use the DFL WD which to my opinion is a good WD FW tool, nothing like the SD WD, but again i never used the PC3000 i jest hear everyone glorifying it, but i am trying to understand where the glory lies in this tool before i buy it. I have the ability to learn it, the only thing i am afraid off is if i will have access to their knowledge base through the manuals, forums, support or every addition item will cost me a fortune. I am a relatively small DR business so can't afford massive expenses. I'm happy with the DFL FW solution but don't have a proper tool for Segate, Toshiba, Samsung etc.

[hhddrec]

Pc3k is a very good tool but you need lot of experience and knoledge.

If you are used other pro tools, this is very usefull to you too, because you will untherstand the PC3K conmmands and utilities.

[northwind]

PC-3000 Express is available already.

No it's not.
It is ready, but not available due to 'export beaurocracy' in Russia.

At the end of May things will be more clear.

[azzan]

they have added new features in PC-3000 Express
but PC-3000 Express is more expensive compare to previous release

[BlackST]

Thanks for your advise folks.
After 2.5 years i am not looking for a one button solution, i learned the hard way that it doesn't exist in this industry.
At this stage i gained some knowledge on many drives, firmware and manage to recover from wide range of cases from heads swaps, motor seizure, heavy bad sectors, encrypted sata drives etc.
So i gained a lot of knowledge but not enough and also i use the DFL WD which to my opinion is a good WD FW tool, nothing like the SD WD, but again i never used the PC3000 i jest hear everyone glorifying it, but i am trying to understand where the glory lies in this tool before i buy it. I have the ability to learn it, the only thing i am afraid off is if i will have access to their knowledge base through the manuals, forums, support or every addition item will cost me a fortune. I am a relatively small DR business so can't afford massive expenses. I'm happy with the DFL FW solution but don't have a proper tool for Segate, Toshiba, Samsung etc.

the 'glory' is that works and more or less there are people behind it that can address a problem and do every effort the right way to make you PRODUCTIVE. That's what we professionals need, in a nutshell - isn't it?

[Touchclarity]

I am a relatively small DR business so can't afford massive expenses.

Even for a small DR firm ROI will be <3 months..... it's a bit of a no brainer really.......

Go for it Oded..... you wont look back I promise you....

[odedshankar]

Thanks Folks,
Appreciate your help, I decided to go for it and get me one
Can't wait to get it - I'm getting The Express version, so need to wait a bit till its formally out.

Cheers

[drc]

I am more concern about the ability to use it for more complex jobs like firmware corruptions, ROM Corruptions and repair after heads replacements like tuning MicroJogs etc.
And mostly about their manual, so they offer all this knowledge of repairing FW for all HDD brands in their PC3000 UDMA manual?
Do they have some case studies of what need to be done after heads swap for different types of drives etc.

Info on this in the manual is pretty minimal.

[odedshankar]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone knows whats the level of support PC3K Express + DE will offer for USB Drives, mainly the WD ones.
I don't see any build in USB port into that. I tried to get the Info out of them but didn't get a clear answer.
Will it be able to image a WD My passport with bad sectors as the DDIv4 with the USB Adapter claims to do?
Or just FW support, in this case will it provide access to unidentified drives SA?