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Please do not post questions about data recovery cases here (use this forum instead). This forum is for topics on finding new ways to recover data. Accessing firmware, writing programs, reading bits off the platter, recovering data from dust...



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TSX1
 Post subject: Hitachi 5K250-120 Firmware reading/writing ?!
PostPosted: December 3rd, 2008, 19:12 
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Joined: December 3rd, 2008, 15:16
Posts: 3
Hi,
I have a Hitachi HDD with 120 GB capacity which I want to read it's firmware in order to do some researches.
Its model number is : HTS542512K9SA00
I was wondering if there is any way that I could access to its firmware?
Thanks in advance
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dmarques
 Post subject: Re: Hitachi 5K250-120 Firmware reading/writing ?!
PostPosted: December 5th, 2008, 19:16 
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Joined: November 6th, 2006, 6:58
Posts: 1752
Well, to reach firmware level you require special tools or else a lot of knowledge.
You can't do it as easy as I think you would like.
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TSX1
 Post subject: Re: Hitachi 5K250-120 Firmware reading/writing ?!
PostPosted: December 6th, 2008, 8:48 
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Joined: December 3rd, 2008, 15:16
Posts: 3
Thanks for the heads up :wink:
It is technically possible to remove firmware chip from the board and read it using an external programmer?
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pcimage
 Post subject: Re: Hitachi 5K250-120 Firmware reading/writing ?!
PostPosted: December 6th, 2008, 8:56 
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Joined: November 29th, 2006, 10:08
Posts: 7864
Location: UK
There's no "firmware chip", only ROM and NVRAM chips.

The firmware is recorded on the platters in the SA (Service area). Only accessible with special (expensive) tools.

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dmarques
 Post subject: Re: Hitachi 5K250-120 Firmware reading/writing ?!
PostPosted: December 6th, 2008, 9:16 
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Joined: November 6th, 2006, 6:58
Posts: 1752
What would be best first of all would be reading something on this forum about SA and firmware level, so you can understand what is firmware and where it's located.
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BlackST
 Post subject: Re: Hitachi 5K250-120 Firmware reading/writing ?!
PostPosted: December 6th, 2008, 14:25 
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Joined: July 18th, 2006, 3:05
Posts: 7476
Location: ITALY
Firmware is not stored in a flash but recorded like files on the platter(s) so the external programmer is useless. NVRAM contains only adaptive data.
What are you trying to "research" ?!?
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TSX1
 Post subject: Re: Hitachi 5K250-120 Firmware reading/writing ?!
PostPosted: December 7th, 2008, 10:25 
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Joined: December 3rd, 2008, 15:16
Posts: 3
Thank to all of you for your answers.
I was curious about what's inside an HDD firmware and I wanted to do some crazy stuff :mrgreen:
Anyway I'll check the forum for more information.
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hddguy
 Post subject: Re: Hitachi 5K250-120 Firmware reading/writing ?!
PostPosted: December 8th, 2008, 11:03 
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Joined: November 9th, 2006, 15:15
Posts: 2984
TSX1 wrote:
Thank to all of you for your answers.
I was curious about what's inside an HDD firmware and I wanted to do some crazy stuff :mrgreen:


That will prove to be a expensive venture for you for the sake of curiosity!
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