Prague March 3rd, 2009 – If you own or use certain models of Seagate or Maxtor hard disks with the SATA interface, there is a significant probability of damage or even loss of data stored on these disks. The failures of these disks have already been happening in a worldwide scope since the second half of 2008. However, many users of PCs or network administrators still have no idea of the danger to their data. The problem which affects both the desktop and server Seagate and Maxtor hard disks with the SATA interface is caused by a serious error in the microcode of the firmware of the pertinent disks.
In practice, the error shows immediately upon turning the disk (computer) on – however, only after an exact number of error reading, or turning on. The error concerns all hard disks of the Barracuda 7200.11, Barracuda ES.2, DiamondMax 22, SV35.3, SV35.4, Pipeline HD, and Pipeline HD Pro model series which were manufactured before January 12th 2009 and went through a defective testing line at the manufacturer.
Fig. 1: The areas marked red are currently affected the most by the failures of Seagate and Maxtor disks with firmware errors. However, the real endangerment is worldwide.
DATARECOVERY, Ltd. already reacted to the situation by developing a procedure of eliminating the announced error and saving all data from the damaged disks. Thanks to the solution, the disks can be also modified so that the error does not show again. Ing. Petr Kavan, Director of DATARECOVERY, Ltd. recommends to owners of the problematic disks to preclude the problems and says: “The number of victims keeps growing every day. Therefore, I recommend to all users of Seagate or Maxtor hard disks who have not yet become a victim, to either immediately replace the existing risky hard disk with another type, or to ask our specialized laboratory for an expert modification of the existing disks.”
The impaired users can also join the group action which is organized overseas for example by the Kabateck Brown Kellner law firm. However, the action filed via the law firm will not save your lost data. “I do not recommend risking waiting for the collision of the hard disk,” warns Petr Kavan and completes: “The Existence of the disk error is known and therefore it is possible to prevent the failure. If the failure still occurs, the lost data can not be recovered.”
The problems related to data loss can be therefore solved in various ways. The preventive technical measures can be recommended as a more available and effective solution, than, for example, replacement or modification of the disk by a specialized company.
More information: Defective Seagate and Maxtor disks
