Hi,

Is PC-3000 software only or is it also a specialized PCB (not just a SATA or IDE controller on a PCB board)? I am looking to access the firmware directly; that is to say have direct read/write access to all bytes on it including the microcode. PC3000 says it puts the drive into 'kernel mode', but how does it accomplish that? I cannot imagine it being specialized PCB if it only sends commands to the hard-drives ..

Hi,

The special pcb is for 2 things:

1. copy protection
2. helping hangling a little with external connectors.

Nothing more!

How to use it?
All info comes with the product.

Regards,
Janos

Is the PCB a PCI card or a USB connector?

It depends on model / version.

Alright, so how exactly does PC3000 access the firmware? I'm kind of confused here; some people are telling me that it is stored on inaccessible platters and others are claiming it is on the ROM Chip.

If I'm given enough information, I could write a utility to access the firmware. From what I gather either way it is done by triggering a kernel or debug mode on the hard-disk. I really would appreciate help here because I do not have the money required to purchase propitiatory tools and really want to learn how to do data recovery, from the ground up - even if it means reinventing the wheel. (especially because it doesn't appear that PC3000 runs under linux!!)

Each drive manufacturer has proprietary routines for accessing the firmware areas of the disk. Aside from Toshiba, which places the majority of the firmware on a flash ROM, all other manufacturers place the critical modules on the disk surface in special areas that are not accessible through standard methods. Taking into account the multitude of drive models from the various manufacturers, and the fact that firmware access can differ markedly from model to model, the task to figure it out on your own is a daunting one. Figure on investing a few years for this problem.

cen on first U could read the topic for newbies, on first , on this topic are a lot of infomation about. well the hdd´s works with Tracks, and zone´s there a special zone called, "Engineering Cylinders" "System Area" "Diskware" because its firmware on platters, Hdd´s has microcode on PCB but at the most brand´s that microcode links to the microcode "firmware on platters" this tracks are on negative cylinders -cyl so the access its not possible if u dont have tools wich access and know the so called " vendor tracks" and "vendor commands" if u know the communication way between HDD -> host its by commands Called ATA commands, or protocol, the access to the System Area need´s the " Vendor commands" to access "vendor tracks" or viceversa to access the right modules to each brand, like i.e " Smart""Plist"glist"translator . The access its different between brands and models, its not the same access to Maxtor 4D04H2 to Samsung SP0802N even the name of modules are differents. The most engineering tools, like ace lab and another´s are programmed tools wich developed this access, this is on a quick way how they works

Regards