Firmware swap and security unlock

[bitcorruptor]

Hello,

I have a problem: I just dug up some of my old HDD's. There are 3 identical HDD's, production date, firmware and size.
The first HDD works without problems, everything OK.
The second HDD i presume has a firmware problem. Is it possible to copy the firmware from the first and copy it to the second?
The third one is security locked with security set to maximum and with a personalized Master password. I tried all the possible passwords that I could remember but none of them work. Would it be possible to unlock it? As far as i remember this process is not doable.

Thanks!

[HaQue]

Hi, I am sure the pros will need more info. Different brands and models require different treatment. Some it is possible to just swap the whole board. Others don't even have a dedicated firmware chip.

Pictures and make/model/firmware numbers will probably help a lot.

Cheers

[BGman]

How do you imaging the "firmware swap" ?

[HaQue]

How do you imaging the "firmware swap" ?

do you mean "imagine"? I think we need more info on the drives here.

[pcimage]

How do you imaging the "firmware swap" ?

do you mean "imagine"? I think we need more info on the drives here.

I guess he is referring to the OP's query whether he can copy (or image) the firmware from one drive to the other, which is a non-starter.

[pcimage]

Hello,

I have a problem: I just dug up some of my old HDD's. There are 3 identical HDD's, production date, firmware and size.
The first HDD works without problems, everything OK.
The second HDD i presume has a firmware problem. Is it possible to copy the firmware from the first and copy it to the second?
The third one is security locked with security set to maximum and with a personalized Master password. I tried all the possible passwords that I could remember but none of them work. Would it be possible to unlock it? As far as i remember this process is not doable.

Thanks!

No, it's not possible to "copy" firmware from one to another, as there are unique data modules inside the firmware.

What makes you think the drive has a firmware problem anyway?

You haven't said what drives they are, so it's impossible to say whether or not the password on the third one is DIY removable or not.

[bitcorruptor]

Hello again,
the HDD's are 2.5 inch Toshiba MK3265GSX 320 GB.
For me firmware swap means actually copying one's firmware from the first and writing it over to the other.
The reason i think one of the drives has a faulty firmware is that some time ago i messed with it in the try to unlock the third.
For the unlocking of the third i do not actually need the data on the drive, the idea is just to get it working again.

Thanks a lot!

[visz]

I dont think that is possible to do unless if the rest HDD's are identical;PD,FW,size and PCB number

[BGman]

Hello again,
the HDD's are 2.5 inch Toshiba MK3265GSX 320 GB.
For me firmware swap means actually copying one's firmware from the first and writing it over to the other.

The firmware has a modular structure. Some modules are written ih the flash, the others on the platters. Some are common for all drives with the same firmware revision, the others are unique.
For access to the modules you need to know a special command called "superon" or have a program that know it.

Are you aware of all this?

[BlackST]

As they are Toshiba , it's "just a little bit" more difficult to deal with the firmware (luckily) .

[bitcorruptor]

The drives are identical to the production date 12.09.2011. They have the same size and the pcb's have the same serial number.
Regarding the modular structure of the firmware, that is new to me.
Is any of this possible: re-writing the firmware or unlocking the security (with or without data loss)?
Any information is welcomed.
Thanks again.