SEAGATE FIRMWARE UPDATE for ST3500320AS, ST3640330AS, ST3750330AS, ST31000340AS

You need to run Seatools for Windows - not the DOS version of Seatools.

Select the Inquiry/Identify option in the menu it will give you the fw version.

 

The geeky way would be to go to Device Manager:
1. Double click ur HDD under Disk Drives
2. GO to Details
3. UNder Property, select Hardware IDs -> u should see: name_of_hdd_here____________SD15

that is firmware SD15 version

 

Good point...

 

No joy still:
DiskMaxtor_Basics_Desktop_0122

Everest is the only thing that can see the seagate inside it, it seems.


Just spoke to seagate, I'm really not convinced but:

Also LOLZ I beat seagate by seeing past the external hardware.
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Hello. How may I help you?
Me: hiya I have a maxtor external hard drive
Brian: Cool
Brian: Serial number?
Me: and it has one of the effected seagate 1TB hard drives in it, how do i apply the firmware update?
Me: i'll just get it
Me: XXXXXXXXXX
Me: It has a seagate ST31000340AS inside it
Brian: You have opend the external enclosure?
Me: no
Me: as that would void my warranty?
Brian: yes it would, but the externals do not have an update and have not been effected by firmware bug
Me: Even though it has one of the effected hard drives inside it?
Brian: let me look into something for a second I will be right back
Me: thank you
Brian: where did you find the model number of drive inside external?
Me: I used a program called Everest home edition
Me: everest ultimate edition sorry
Me: http://www.lavalys.com/
Brian: do you have the firmware on the drive, the only reason I am asking most probs dont see pas the external hardware
Me: No, it can't see the firmware sadly
Brian: Should have nothing to worry about with the external, the drives are not effected by the firmware bug, if you are having any other issues with drive let me know otherwise I have no firmware or way to update the internal drive to enclosure
Me: Seagates drive detect and seatools couldn't tell me either
Me: That's all thank you
Brian: Thank you, have a good day!

 

What?

Just because your HDD (ST31000340AS) is encased in an external HDD enclosure, doesn't mean your HDD (ST31000340AS) is not affected by the bug. It's still the ST31000340AS, which is among the affected drives...

I wouldn't trust this Brian...

 

I know, I was suspicious from the point where he said 'cool'.

 

well a last resort would be to try HD Tune Pro 3.50.

By clicking on the Info Tab you should get all the information needed. Well at least for any internal HDD it does, i dont have an external HDD so i cant tell if it works.

Thats why i always buy Internal HDDs: they are easier to handle, farrr cheaper and with a USB2.0 to SATA/ATA converter it works similarly to an external one (without the hassle).

 

Nah I actually got this external cheaper than an internal 1TB, that's why I got it!

 

I'd have to agree with that actually, although I guess it's possible the external drives are made somewhere other than Thailand where the affected drives were made?
But like Cyber said, my suspicious mind would tell me they were trying to give you the runaround...


@Dcx I didn't realise your drive wwas external - what happens when you open up the Seatools for Windows and select the inquire/indentify option?

If that doesn't work, the other option I would suggest is to use one of the DOS based HDD diagnostic tools on UBCD.
There's one very good app I use on it to change HDD acoustic managment and security settings, but I can't think of the name of it. It's either a Seagate app (not Seatools) or one of the generic ones...

Just on a side note - does that drive have an esata connection?

 

Nah, just USB, seatools just tells me it's a maxtor. I'll try ultimate boot cd sometime.

 

Still not sorted, no matter when I ring it always says their closed! Fail!

Lulz:

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
Hello. How may I help you?
Matt C.: hello
Me: hiya , I have an external hard drive with a ST31000340AS in it
Me: but there is no firmware update to update over usb
Matt C.: no there is not.
Me: so how do i fix it....?
Matt C.: you can either return the drive or call 1 800 SEAGATE and speak wuth a team lead to see if any other options are available.
Me: so if i return it will they update it?
Matt C.: they would send you a seperate unit
Me: ok, thanks I'll ring them tomorrow
Matt C.: have a good day.

 

Open the enclosure, take the HDD out and put it in your PC, flash and put it back in?

 

I don't want to loose the 5year warranty on it though.

 

Don't they have 5 years on all their drives? Ie, if it dies you can just send in the drive itself and get a new one to put in the enclosure? Rather that than have it die with all your data on it.

 

They may know by serial number which drives were destined for externals.

 

thats why i never buy external drives. The internal ones are already a big hassle.. so why would i complicate my life more? no seriously buy urself a USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE converter for 15$ outof ebay and save ur time.

- If you have an External HDD + u open the enclosure = void of warranty
- If you have an Internal HDD = u can use it as external drive with a USB to SATA/IDE converter + never void your warranty + its cheaper than external HDDs

its that easy..

 

Not if I open it, I only bought this because it was £10 cheaper than than an internal.

 

Good point. On the other hand, if you do it right they don't have to know you've opened it at all...

 

I can get to the DOS screen and look at whats on the 'a' and 'd' drives as well as find the 'help' list but how can I use the files? Typing flash.bat many different ways doesn't seem to work. It says it's supposed to start with a readme screen, it seems to scan things before the prompt maybe it is not detecting something?

 

Can I update firmware if it fails tests?!



can i still update firmward to fix this or... am I screwed and have to RMA it?:bang::bang::bang::bang::bang::bang::bang::bang: