Barracuda XT, Barracuda, Barracuda Green, DiamondMax and other desktop SATA and IDE drives

[klidster]

I purchased seven ST32000542AS 2TB Barracuda LP drives for installing in an NAS (6 with 1 spare). All were shipped with firmware CC34 and it was recommended that I upgrade their firmware to CC35, but only 5 of them accepted it. These five drives all had serial numbers starting with 6XW, while the two drives whose serial numbers started with 5XW got the messsage "Model Matched, No firmware match! Will not download Firmware!"

I was under the impression that the infamous "click of death" was corrected by CC35. These drives will be running 24/7 in a media/file NAS, and I'm a bit concerned for the two drives that wouldn't update. Are they safe with CC34? Is there a way to get CC35 installed?

TIA

[plooger]

I'm in the same boat.

I just purchased 5 of these drives, and the first 2 checked won't allow the firmware update (to CC35 from CC34).  I haven't yet checked the rest.

Drive info:

• Serials: 6XW1____
• Model: ST32000542AS
• Firmware:  CC34
• Date Code: 11111
• Site Code:  SU

If it matters, I'm attempting the update using the ISO image (as opposed to the Windows exe).

Any feedback, Seagate?

[fzabkar · Accepted solution]

The reason that the updater rejects certain drives is that it compares the drive's existing firmware modules against an update matrix in a configuration file.

Here is the decoded version of this file:
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/HE-CC35.TXT

Notice that there are three entries for CC34 firmware, but each has different components. Apparently your CC34 components don't match those called out in the update matrix.

Nevertheless, you can still forcibly update your drives to CC35 firmware.

If you are updating from a bootable CD, then allow the update to fail on the first pass. Wait for the following message:

"The system will power off after pressing any key..."

Abort the batch by typing Ctrl-C or Ctrl-Break. Then type the following line at the FreeDOS prompt:

FDL486A -m Hepburn -f HECC358H.LOD -i ST32000542AS -s -x -b -v -a 20

Power cycle the drive(s) when the update is complete. You may like to play it safe and disconnect those drives that are not associated with the update.

[klidster]

That should do it. Thanks!

[plooger]

I can confirm that fzabkar's workaround did the trick.  All 5 of my drives are now updated to CC35.

Thank you.  Very much.

[PeteCress]

> I can confirm that fzabkar's workaround did the trick. 

+1 here, but with two caveats:

- On my PC, Seagate's app did not recognize Ctl-Break or Ctl-c from my USB keyboard.  

   It recoginzed everything else, but I had to plug in a legacy keyboard to enter the Ctl-Break

- After it was all over, I had to go into BIOS and re-establish the system drive (which I had disconnected

  per Seagate's instructions) as the boot device.

[edwin64]

For those who don't have CDROMs attached to their host, use xboot to create a bootable USB key:

http://reboot.pro/13555/

[InTents]

Hi

I know this thread is shown as solvedm but I am unable to get a PS/2 or a USB keyboard to pick up my ctrl-c or ctrl-break input after the message,

"The system will power off after pressing any key..."  is shown.

Does anyone else know of another way to end the batch and enter in the commands to force an update? 

[yrogerg77]

Hi, I am just finding out about the problem with my Seagate LP drives today... long story short, I've been having a few problems with them over the past 2 years, but didn't know it was a common thing.  Also didn't know there was a firmware update available!  I will try the installation as soon as I've backed up my data, but I am worried as at least one of my drives starts with a "5XW..." serial # and I don't know if I have a "legacy" keyboard at home... what does that mean exactly?  Does that mean it isn't USB, but instead uses a PS/2 plug or older?  If so, that could be a problem.  Is there no other way to break the operation if my firmware update fails on this drive?  I am using these drives in a RAID 5 array and the "click-clack" hiccups, while infrequent, are very irritating as they degrade the RAID temporarily and it takes HOURS to rebuild.  If this firmware update will help at all, then I want it on all four of my ST32000542AS's.

[Eduardo Borges]

To send a Ctrl-C, press Alt+003. The [Alt] must be the one on the right and the 003 must be typed on the numeric keypad.