is there an HDD duplicator that doesnt cost thousands?

[networkpc3000]

I know, but everybody think that DR is easy, what to say ?

the true will say something to him

[Clusterox]

Specifically what is it that the dedicated hardware units are able to do that software can't?

Deal with errors in a predictable and specified way

Along with power regulating functions. You can't power restart a drive every time it hits a bad sector. Especially when you may need to do it probably a thousand times. Can you?

[xsoliman]

So how do these expensive duplicators actually handle 'damaged' drives that wont appear ready
and/or manage to skip a bad heads (other than trying to calculate what LBA's to skip)
or somehow handle weak heads

Unless they have some firmware override (like factory mode etc)
then surely there is no way , using standard ata commands, to read sectors from disks that wont come ready

Or can they only handle disks that are ready but wont read (or hang) on certain sectors -- in which case what advance other than speed (and hardware resetting) do they give ?

Or maybe they use the read long commands as well, to try to overcome ecc? errors

Thanks

"Also as has been pointed out any hardware/software combination is of no or little use if the drive has certain mechanical or firmware problems so bear that in mind."

[BlackST]

This is why these instruments cost "a lot" (everything is relative).
Again, if you really want, you can make on your own, but you have to struggle and test and study and experiment : the manufacturers of these instruments ask you this in return. That's the market.

[buster80]

Along with power regulating functions. You can't power restart a drive every time it hits a bad sector. Especially when you may need to do it probably a thousand times. Can you?

exactly !

[xsoliman]

Some good info on a hardware based imager

http://www.deepspar.com/pdf/DeepSparDis ... paper3.pdf

[guru]

If your could program your own tools you can use something like this

http://www.sigma-shop.com/product/8/-us ... d-12v.html

Control The power and also control fan operation just in case the drive gets too warm while imaging. You could go all the way and code your own SATA/IDE/SCSI drivers for use in Linux with direct connection into hardware :O)

The world could be your oyster!