Hi all.

Thanks for existing !! I've browsed here before and found many great answers. Thanks.

So.. I was doing a low level format with the free HDDLLF 4.40
and the software crashed. When I rebooted, it said the drive was locked. *Not Windows or bios locked*
but I guess locked (hardware??) so you can't interrupt the format, now it's stuck there. HDDLLF says drive locked.

Is there anyway to unlock and reformat it? or is it bricked. It's a WD-1.5 TB Black 3.5 7200 rpm..
I can look up the exact model, when I get home.. if that helps.

Thanks
Don't want to buying yet another drive...

Are you aware that the free version has a speed limit of about 180Gb per hour?
This would take about 9-10 hours to complete or more?

Have you tried re-running the software again ( yes I know HDDLLF says the drive is locked ) the reason I say this is that the software locks the drive when it does the LLF & then unlocks it when done which of cause this didn't happen due to the crash & reboot.


Loki

I just bought the software now because hey it's very reasonably priced.

Yes Re-Ran the HDD LLF, which is what told me the drive is locked.. couldn't go any further.
*So what I'm hearing from you loki is that LLF function on the drive locked the drive, not the software.

but How do I get LLF to release the lock on the drive? So I can re-run the HDD LLF.. hopefully successfully.

thanks
Ian

To try & replicate your issue I've downloaded HDDLLF 4.40 & run various tests running it on a WD1200BEVT.
I've unplugged the drive & also tried turning off the PC while running the LLF but each time all I had to do was go in to Disk Management & then initialise & format the drive to get it working again.

Maybe you could post a pic of the HDDLLF with the message?

If HDDLLF 4.40 doesn't allow to continue because the drive is locked then you might have to look at other ways
ie maybe ZU.exe http://malthus.zapto.org/download/file. ... db14e8c332
MHDD using a script http://hddguru.com/software/2005.10.02-MHDD/
HDDUnlock http://www.hddunlock.com/
All the above have be mentioned lots in previous posts.

or using a data recovery pro locally who has tools to do this for you.


Loki

I did get the drive to work again, I rebooted.. and it was fine.
Thanks for researching this tho !!! I really appreciate it !

I think the trouble might be in the drive, as the program crashed again at 80% 11 hours later.
Is it because I'm using a Firewire dock? I was going to try esata connection next.

Just too lazy to open my computer and stuff the drive in.. and part of the reason I like HDDLLF is that
it works with external docks, the dock is

thanks
Ian

for Low Format Is better atach drive to SATA controler directly.

I'd be interested in seeing SMART details for the drive


Loki