Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 14:32:09 -0700 (PDT) From: Howard Lew <hlew@sequence.Stanford.EDU> To: dyson@freebsd.org Cc: dyson@freebsd.org, igor@cs.ibank.ru, freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: strange error with WD family disk Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.960901142632.4000B-100000@vegemite.Stanford.EDU> In-Reply-To: <199608300310.WAA01078@dyson.iquest.net>
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On Thu, 29 Aug 1996, John S. Dyson wrote: > > > > > ftp.wdc.com. You would do well to call the WD support number > > > for further help. (I have had two drives fail with the old > > > microcode.) WD has some updated microcode that fixes the drive, > > > but if your surface is damaged too bad, then you need to return > > > the drive for replacement. > > > > > > John > > > > Sort of dumb question, but you are kidding right? > > > > If not then how does someone get the updated microcode? Or do we have > > to return the drive to Western Digital? > > > I have an RMA about to ship 2 of 'em back now (a 1.6GB, and a 2.5GB) that > have completely failed. They do have a download with which you can effect > the microcode update (their term for it is an "overlay".) Before applying > the patch, you need to scan the disk for bad spots (and I guess it does > bad block forwarding.) Unfortunately, you need to run MS-DOS to perform > the update :-(. > > Again, this is not definitive, but WD appears to know about the problem, > and there is "something" wrong. > Hmm... I checked their web site and I guess you were right... very odd problem... I wonder why it affects Asus motherboards and whether or not other hard disks brands also have this problem. I have several Western Digital drives here that according to the program I do not need to overlay it. I wonder if that means the drives are not susceptible to that kind of problem or is it because do not overlay unless an Asus MB is used. I wonder what the criteria is...
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