Seagate Observations 7200.11

[trackfan]

Posted here in Dec-08 seeking help with ST31000340AS brick and received flawless DR service from a fellow member. Returned drive under warranty and promptly received replacement. Prior to install I used check utility on seagate.com (to make sure) and received message indicating HDD is affected by corrupt firmware. Following suggested steps to download page, SD35 was not listed but 800 phone number was provided in case of a mismatch. This was 5 weeks ago. Since then Seagate e-mailed (4) ISO images; none recognized this model. Mailings were proceededed with lenghty tech service calls, 45min. hold being the norm. When asking for a new drive, company offered refurb. OEM stated 'low risk'; in case of failure they will recover remotely. How would that work if they can't even match firmware? ST user forums are flooded with outraged customers. This is a mess; probably a windfall for this group.

Got a couple of WD GPs on the cheap. Quiet and cool with 40% performance penalty.

ok, rant over.

[jono-ats]

Seagate . . . serves 'em right. What a nightmare!

http://forums.seagate.com/stx/board/mes ... ing&page=2

[BlackST]

Still think end user is the problem.

[phishin_ca]

It is only going to get worse. Next there will be owners of WD drives on that forum saying they have the same problem.

[BlackST]

Wd have physical problems, not firmware. And don't have terminal connection (wow!)

[Doomer]

I had no problems with updating SD35 to SD3B
I agree with BlackST - it's user error

[BlackST]

Oh, at last someone on my side... Thought it was me...

[drc]

The vast majority of external drives that I get in definitely have symptoms of rough handling.

[HyperG]

I had no problems with updating SD35 to SD3B
I agree with BlackST - it's user error

Was your drive "bricked" or was your flash preventive maintenance?

I have a ST31000340AS with fw:sd35 that has crucial data on it. The drive appears to be "bricked" as it is no longer being recognized by bios. I would Appreciate any valuable insight that may be shed on my situation.

[Doomer]

If you drive is bricked you can try to get free recovery from Seagate

[drc]

I'm hearing that they are denying the free recovery on OEM drives.

[zebong]

I try to upgrade the FW, it work the drive have the new FW.

First i have take all the data with the udma.
And some times the drive goes to BSY problem, have to resolve that problem 3 or 4 times.
Them try the upgrade, but the problem is not solved, the drive get the new FW but it have problems very very slow in copy with the udma.

[Doomer]

I'm hearing that they are denying the free recovery on OEM drives.

Very possible
OEM drives are under the warranty of OEM partners
Technically OEM partners responsible for the drives

[BlackST]

So the chinese usb box makers with funky names will provide free recovery ? Unbelievable...

[pcrecovery]

Looks like Ontrack is playing now:


Help for Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 HDD Users Who Experience Data Loss

Leading hard drive manufacturer Seagate recently identified a potential firmware issue with its Barracuda 7200.11 drives that may lead to an increased incidence of data loss. Seagate has made a free firmware update available to owners of these drives, but if data loss has already occurred, professional data recovery services will be necessary.

To address the growing number of requests for data recovery from Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 hard drive owners, Ontrack Data Recovery is offering a 50% discount on recovery services for the drives if they have experienced a corruption failure. The discount is not available on drives that have experienced mechanical or electronic failures.

Owners of the Barracuda 7200.11 hard drives who have not experienced any issues yet are encouraged to contact Seagate to receive the free firmware upgrade. Owners who have experienced data loss can contact Ontrack Data Recovery at 1-800-872-2599 to learn more about the service discount and available data recovery options.

Learn more about Ontrack Data Recovery service options at: http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/data-recovery-service-options/?news=US_DRPart_Feb_09

[drc]

I'm hearing that they are denying the free recovery on OEM drives.

Very possible
OEM drives are under the warranty of OEM partners
Technically OEM partners responsible for the drives

Right, and the vast majority of these in circulation (I would think) are in Dell and HP machines and purchased from newegg as OEM drives.

[trackfan]

I had no problems with updating SD35 to SD3B
I agree with BlackST - it's user error

Please clarify user error assumption in relation to 7200.11 firmware flash.

[trackfan]

I had no problems with updating SD35 to SD3B
I agree with BlackST - it's user error

Was your drive "bricked" or was your flash preventive maintenance?

I have a ST31000340AS with fw:sd35 that has crucial data on it. The drive appears to be "bricked" as it is no longer being recognized by bios. I would Appreciate any valuable insight that may be shed on my situation.

The replacement drive firmware flash is PM. HDD has not been deployed; still waiting for matching software.

[mhthomas]

Hi,

I also have an ST31000333AS with SD35 firmware and it is not working.

I am also looking for brinks-3d6h-sd3b.iso

If anyone can assist - thank you!

FYI: I recently found other postings about simple use of "FTDI TTL-232R-3V3 USB Cable" to reprogram drives. Easy to google solutions if drive totally bricked. Good luck.

[BlackST]

Since when you have the problem?