The problem with Seagate 7200.11 and ES2 drives is well known for about a year.
Exactly there are two different problems with almost the same symthomatic - so-called "0Gb problem"(drive detects in some versions of BIOS but shows 0 Gb size) and "led CC problem"(drive is not detected by BIOS or any other software) and both can be recovered.
In more than 95% cases data is FULLY recoverable.
Unfortunately, the "CC problem" can't be solved by standard firmware update.This happens because the SATA port is locked by the firmware, so update program can't negotiate the HDD at all.
SO HOW DO YOU UNLOCK the firmware?
Per Seagate Tech support, which I spoke with Monday and Tuesday along with E615 or whatever that data recovery service is called, there are "no known issues" with the SD15 firmware or the 7200.11. There are websites out there that I can not reference due to the rules (I already got snapped at for posting my e-mail) that talk about a cheap fix to this issue involving 3 wires and talk of videos that show an easy fix to the problem [which were all pulled because it was going to affect the "bread and butter" of the restore industry].
I am sure in my case that my data is 100% recoverable. When I plug it in the hard drive light stays on and it not detected in BIOS. I still refuse to believe that my drive (which spins up nice and quietly on power up) is destroyed. I know what a busted hard drive sounds like. What I don't understand is how this can be detected by BIOS for 2-3 months and then one day it is gone. I think replacing the PCB (that green wafer screwed to the hard drive) should fix it. I contacted Seagate, they said they would not sell me one, I said, OK, GIVE ME ONE. As you can imagine, that didn't work.
Please, if your hard drive is bad, contact tech support, they are there to listen and try to help. I firmly believe that if there is enough phone calls, maybe we could get more attention to the issue. Give seagate a chance, posting here is not really a "chance". Call their toll-free support line. They should still be a great hard drive company, at least as good as the rest.
If you have a brick, setup an RMA and get another one. If you didn't lose data, don't complain too much here. A couple dollars shipping and your back in business. Also, you may be able to swap for a 7200.10 drive. Slower, but more reliable.
BUT, if you have a brick with data, like me, then your really in trouble. I am begging with tech support to have them get this fixed. The reviews on this drive are poor and some places stopped selling them. SHAME on me for not looking at reviews before getting this hard drive. I really don't know what drive manufacturer to pick if SEAGATE is selling quality akin to these now.
I purchased this drive with the following mentality - I'm not a kid anymore, so I can afford a few extra dollars to get a good brand. Which is a good brand? SEAGATE. Seagate was my gold standard for hard drives. It was $20 more than the other drive, but hey it's a Seagate.
Please work with Seagate, they have not been helpful, but they have been understanding. Those guys are frustrated too because I believe they don't see this site as often as you think, you have to call them otherwise...
But guys here do 