Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

Ive never flashed the firmware on a hard disk before and just wondering how difficult is it to do? and is there any chance of Data loss while performing this?

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

Firstly, do you NEED to do this? And there is always a chance of data loss with anything like this, however remote, the chance is there, if you NEED to do it, back up first!

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

Yes there is a risk of data loss.

Always back up a disk before doing anything like this and also only do the flash if there is a known problem where the solution is later firmware.

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

Graham i have a feeling that Overclockers will give me another drive that has the faulty firmware on there and Seagate has stated if its the case and i get another drive with that firmware before i begin using the drive flash with update which i have downloaded.

Im waiting for the new drive to be delivered atm tracking states its out for delivery with DPD today.

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

The drive will be empty then.. so flash when you receive, give it a test with a copy of your data and if OK you're good to go

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

Kymmy i will be running seatools on it to before i even attempt to use it, the problem with the last drive is that it would randomly lockup causing system to jam and that was a firmware issue BUT! the reason i sent the drive back is cos it also started to have spin up/down errors also. I tested the drive 5 times with Seatools and it never finished on all occasions just caused a system lockup.

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

If seatools still locks up after the new firmware then I'd start checking other devices (memory/cpu/motherboard and PSU)

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

i ran seatools on the other 2 seagate drives i have and passed fine, i also ran Samsungs software on the 2 samsung drives i have and passed. I ran Memtest86+ on ram overnight and found no problems, i have fitted a new 850watt PSU replacing a 700watt PSU just incase that was the fault to begin with and wasnt. So i think the hardware is fine my end + since the drive has been out of my system since Last Wednesday ive had no lockups.

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

Well had the new hard disk through and IDENTICAL issue, same firmware and NO UPDATE even though support tells me there was but on their site it states NOT to flash drives with CC1H and if u look up the Seagate ST31500341AS with CC1H firmware theres loads of complaints.

Whats worrying also a mate of mine bought one of these drives from a different place i got mine from Overclockers and he got his from Eclipe Computers, Both with CC1H firmware, he has a completely different setup to what i have, different board and chipset and so on yet same problems? Weird that.

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

Next firmware will be 5H1T probably :)

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

what i dont get according to Seagate Support....

There is a CC1J which they claim is "Identical"

They also claim they will ONLY put this firmware on the drives if sent back to them under RMA.

Now why is it they have an IDENTICAL firmware which they have named different and wont release to general public? It really does smell fishy.

Re: Flashing Hard Drive Firmware
 

I understand that they offer upgrades for other drives and other versions of this drive that doesnt have firmware beginning in CC so why not release the version for the CC?