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flash LOD file on ST3000 - LOD file is larger than flash ROM

September 26th, 2024, 5:27

Hi folks
I found this forum while looking for informations about Seagate LOD file format and this post from @fzabkar

I tried to upgrade ST3000DM001 (9YNP166) firmware to CC4H on Linux (using GRCC4H6H.LOD) but flash failed and a restart time the HDD wasn't available anymore.
I dig around and found no usable solutions, so I decided to go the electronic way and flash the firmware to the flash chip, 25FS406 (datasheet).
This site copy from archive.org confimed that I should use the GRCC4H6H.LOD

File is 1.8MB large (1768 -rw-rw-r-- 1 phx phx 1806848 may 23 2012 GRCC4H6H.LOD) and flash chip is 512KB large and obviously wont fit inside.

Any process exist to transform this 1.8MB LOD file into a 512KB BIN file ?

Thanks a lot

Re: flash LOD file on ST3000 - LOD file is larger than flash

September 26th, 2024, 12:22

Answered there:
https://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42073
If you need data from the disk - give it to a DR specialist.
You need to read the current contents of the ROM and save it.
If you are not a specialist - the probability of losing the unique contents of the ROM = 99%.
Without it, HDD = brick.

Re: flash LOD file on ST3000 - LOD file is larger than flash

September 26th, 2024, 13:29

I've a Xgecu T48 and was able to read the flash. There is no way to flash a bin file to the flash chip?

LOD file doesn't contains firmware to be flashed there?

Re: flash LOD file on ST3000 - LOD file is larger than flash

September 26th, 2024, 14:00

If you mean the LOD file of the Seagate update, it may contain segments for writing to ROM and to plates.
It may contain segments only for writing to plates - depends on the update.
Only the boot code and unique adaptive information for this instance (simplified) are stored in ROM.
The main program and everything for work are stored on plates.

Re: flash LOD file on ST3000 - LOD file is larger than flash

September 26th, 2024, 14:08

If you recorded the correct LOD file (judging by the first post) and HDD died - it was already faulty and you decided to repair it with an update. Wrong decision.

Re: flash LOD file on ST3000 - LOD file is larger than flash

September 26th, 2024, 14:15

Google translator to the rescue:
http://forum.ru-board.com/topic.cgi?for ... it=1&m=3#1
http://forum.ru-board.com/topic.cgi?for ... it=1&m=4#1

Re: flash LOD file on ST3000 - LOD file is larger than flash

September 27th, 2024, 2:54

Good to know, I learned a few things today :-)

The HDD was in a bad shape, smart reported errors, so I decided to fill it with 0 (using dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX ... on Linux).

Then I tried a firmware update who failed and at reboot time HDD wasn't reported in BIOS, that's why I de-soldered flash chip.

Thanks a lot
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