Cross-flash HUC10189 CLAR900 (EMC) 900GB to HP/OEM?

[loomen]

Hello,

I have a Hitachi HUC10189 CLAR900 900GB SAS drive with EMC firmware (L7SS). I need to use it with an HP SmartArray controller (P410i), but the RAID does not recognize drives with EMC firmware/model strings. I would like to cross-flash it to a compatible HP or generic OEM version, such as HUC101890CSS200 or HP EG0900FBDBU.

What I have tried so far:
- Used SeaChest_Firmware and sg_write_buffer with ADB0.bin (and other standard firmware packages), but the model/family stays as CLAR900 and firmware as L7SS.
- The drive is working and healthy, just not seen by HP RAID.

What I need:
- A working cross-flash firmware, ROM dump, or service procedure to convert the drive to HUC101890CSS200 or HP EG0900FBDBU (or any OEM string accepted by HP RAID).
- Advice on which tool to use for the cross-flash (SeaChest, sg_write_buffer, PC-3000 SAS, or anything else).
- If you have a firmware bin/dump from a 900GB HP/OEM/HGST SAS drive (not from 300/450/600GB models!), please let me know. I am willing to pay for working help or the file.

Additional info:
- Model: Hitachi HUC10189 CLAR900 (900GB, 2.5", 6G SAS, EMC version, FwRev: L7SS)
- Original drive still reports as CLAR900 after all flash attempts.
- Willing to try hardware solutions if needed, but I prefer a software method if possible.

Thank you in advance!

[Zero Alpha]

Easier to buy the correct drive or controller

[loomen]

Easier to buy the correct drive or controller

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

Just to clarify – I’m not looking to buy new or used drives, as I already have a significant number of these used EMC drives on hand. These are for my own private/home lab servers for learning purposes, so I would really prefer to make use of what I already have and keep costs as low as possible.

I have actually found what appears to be the correct firmware for the 900GB HP/OEM version, but unfortunately, I have not been able to flash it successfully using standard tools like SeaChest_Firmware or sg_write_buffer. The drive’s model and family remain unchanged after all attempts.

That’s why I’m looking for any advice, a proven cross-flash procedure, or even a hardware-based method to reprogram these drives for use with HP RAID controllers.
If you have any guidance, working instructions, or the right firmware/ROM dump for this 900GB model, I’d really appreciate your help and am happy to pay for a working solution.

Thank you!

Attachments

CFGNADB0.zip

OEM firmware for HUC101890CSS200

(1.02 MiB) Downloaded 18 times

[loomen]

Hi again,

I’ve taken the next step and opened up one of my HUC101890CSS200 drives. I found an 8-pin SOP chip labeled 25S81 00 45KW430, which seems to be the SPI flash containing the firmware/ROM.

I’m planning to try flashing it using a CH341A USB programmer along with a SOP8 clip adapter (like the one from this set: AliExpress Link).
I will attach both PCB photos (full board and close-up of the flash chip) in this thread.

Before I proceed, I’d really appreciate your input on a few things:

1. Will this setup (CH341A + SOP8 clip) work properly with this flash chip?
The chip looks like a standard SPI flash (most likely 3.3V), so I’m hoping to use the clip without desoldering the chip. Has anyone successfully done this on similar HGST SAS models?

2. About the firmware I previously attached (CFGNADB0.zip):
Is this a safe candidate for direct flashing onto the SPI flash chip? Or would it be better to make a physical dump from a working donor drive with the ADB0 firmware and clone that?
I found a working drive for sale with FW: ADB0, but I’d rather avoid buying more disks unless it’s the only safe way.

My goal is to convert these EMC drives into generic/OEM HP-compatible units for use with SmartArray RAID controllers.
I have too many EMC-marked disks to just discard them, so I’m trying to recover and repurpose them, and hopefully learn something useful in the process.

If I’m missing anything critical or if there’s a better way to do this – I’d really appreciate your guidance before I risk bricking the flash chip.

Thanks again in advance for your time and help!

Best regards,
Michal

Attachments

[pepe]

- the flash chip contains only a part of the firmware, most of it is on the platters.
- it contains unique adaptive data, so swapping the chip or writing foreign content will result in a failed drive.
pepe

[loomen]

- the flash chip contains only a part of the firmware, most of it is on the platters.
- it contains unique adaptive data, so swapping the chip or writing foreign content will result in a failed drive.
pepe

so I have 20 paperweights nice