I have a WD800BB that readies fine, displays the proper serial number and LBA however my DDI skips everything with ABRT. I'm assuming this is a translator that needs regenerating based on past experience. I don't own a PC3K so if anyone local (southeast part if the US) could help me out, I would appreciate it. I normally outsource firmware problems to a company in Atlanta, GA but lately they have been taking 3 or 4 weeks to get drives back to me. Am I correct in *assuming* a firmware problem?

That is a reasonable guess. Have you tried jono-ats?

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You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

More then likely it is a firmware problem, could be as simple as a translator issue or something more complex.
However I would not rule out heads either without taking a look at them. Have you been able to create a head map?

drc, no I haven't. I was actually thinking about PMing him when I posted this.

quasimodo, normally a head swap would have been an option but I'm no longer attempting these 'BB' drives. They are too much of a pain. I'd much rather out source these. I know my limitations! I cannot create a head map. Gives me a translation error. I've never seen this error with the DDI in the past so it very well could be something else.

My money would also be on a translator regen. I had one of these earlier in the year, translator wasn't happy - nice one click solution in PC3K

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It certainly is a Translator issue.
As rightly said by nick PC3K has nice one click solution....