1 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01

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2 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 PC-3000 for Windows What is PC-3000 for Windows? Basic principles of operation PC-3000 for Windows supported models of HDDs Which problems can be solved using PC-3000 for Windows? Main differences between PC-3000 (DOS) and PC-3000 for Windows Why do you use PC-3000? New peculiarities in the software complex of PC-3000 for Windows Resource database Can users add new custom modes on their own? Does PC-3000 for Windows support 2.5" HDDs? Does PC-3000 for Windows support 1.0" HDD (Compact Flash)? Does PC-3000 for Windows support SATA HDDs? PC-3000 for Windows kit Examples of application New possibility of the PC-3000 for Windows First of all we have to point out that PC-3000 is not only a tool but rather a technological solution, which allows Data Recovery from crashed Hard drives. In particular, the technology has been developed specifically for small businesses and therefore it does not require obligatory use of clean rooms, servo writers or other expensive equipment. What is PC-3000 for Windows? It is a new product of our company combining a wealth of long experience in data recovery and HDD repair market with 10 years of work with PC-3000 (DOS), our first product recognized by data recovery experts worldwide. Basic principles of operation The fundamental principles of PC-3000 for Windows do not differ from the same for PC-3000 (DOS). That fact enables users familiar with the DOS version to master the new instrument rather quickly. The product is based on the following principles: 1. Operations with HDDs are performed via PC-3000 PCI, specialized dual port tester board. PCI controller card PC-3000 PCI specialized dual port tester board 2. The complex consists of universal and specialized utilities. 3. Universal utilities allow quite fast HDD diagnostics facilitating a decision about possible methods for its subsequent restoration. They support operations with ANY 3.5" or 2.5" HDD that complies with the ATA-7 specification. Specialized utilities allow diagnostics and restoration in specialized FACTORY mode of hard drive operation. That mode cannot be universal; it is unique for each drive family. That is why the complex includes individual factory mode utilities for each HDD family. Specialized utilities allow deeper diagnostics of drive malfunctions and subsequent restoration of its functionality. Alternatively, if a HDD cannot be restored, they provide an opportunity to access user data. The complex includes a kit of specialized connectors and adapters for switching HDD into factory mode.

3 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 Adapter PC-USB-TERMINAL-is intended for switching Seagate, Toshiba, Hitachi, Samsung HDDs' factory mode connector to USB terminal of host pc Adapters PC-SEAGATE, PC-SEAG.SATA allow switching Seagate ATA and SATA HDDs through adapter PC-USB-TERMINAL 4. The complex also includes a database of factory HDD resources: contents of HDD FLASH ROM, service area modules and tracks, etc. All the resources are grouped by families, models, and firmware versions. You can search for them throughout the database and add new objects from latest HDD models. Which problems can be solved using PC-3000 for Windows? Specialists reading this section may have different levels of proficiency. Someone may face minor drive malfunctions, such as BIOS inability to identify HDD parameters or impossibility to view partitions containing user data; others may experience difficulties with defective modules in HDD firmware area or damaged system of LBA translation into PCHS. We often receive a question: "Will PC-3000 help if a HDD produces knocking sounds?" The question has no simple answer without preliminary analysis of malfunction causes, which result in the knocking sound. Therefore the answer may be both YES or NO depending upon the situation. However, let us consider some guidelines The features provided by PC-3000 for Windows can be conventionally subdivided into two parts according to their purpose: 1. 2. HDD repair; Restoration of user data. Please note that very frequently the second goal cannot be reached without the first one. That is why PC-3000 includes tools for both those purposes and it is up to users to decide which modes of complex functionality may be necessary in a specific situation. We shall not go into detail analyzing possible HDD malfunctions (such analysis may take several pages) discussing instead just the features of PC-3000 complex applicable for detection of malfunctions and restoration of HDD functionality: PCB: SA: Scanning of firmware microcode in ROM; verification of configuration data in ROM; verification of firmware version in ROM; buffer RAM test; performance of self-diagnostics. Reading and recording of flash ROM containing firmware microcode and configuration data in ROM. The data for programming of flash ROM can be copied from the resource database of PC-3000 complex.

4 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 Disks: Heads: Universal: Testing of service area for BAD sectors; scanning of service modules to detect possibly corrupted sections. Erasure and formatting of service area; restoration of damaged SA modules or their overwriting with standard reference data from the resource database of PC-3000. Surface testing and detection of BAD sectors; launching the internal Self low-level Format procedure. Relocation of revealed surface defects updating the defect tables; launching the Selfscan procedure. Head testing (for some drive families only). Isolation of malfunctioning heads. HDD capacity decreases in such cases but the drive may become completely functional. An opportunity to reset SMART parameters of a HDD. An opportunity to correct drive ID. An opportunity to unlock USER and MASTER passwords used in a HDD. An opportunity to delete HDD data quickly without impeding its functionality. New function implemented for use with Data Extractor: An opportunity to read user data from a HDD, which cannot operate in accordance with its logical parameters. The reading routine in that case uses physical parameters taking into account actual drive translation tables or, if they are damaged, their virtually reconstructed copies. Main differences between PC-3000 (DOS) and PC-3000 for Windows One basic difference is in the PC-3000 tester board: DOS version uses PC-3000 PRO board for ISA bus while Windows version is working with PC-3000 PCI board designed for PCI. PC-3000 (DOS) complex allows operations with a single connected drive. PC-3000 for Windows (together with the PC-3000 PCI tester board) allows simultaneous work with two HDDs. DOS version functions in LCHS or LBA24 mode and the capacity of HDDs it can test is limited to 120 GB. PC-3000 for Windows, on the contrary, supports LBA24 and LBA48 and it can test hard drives greater than 120 GB, but it does not work with HDDs in the LCHS mode. Therefore the lists of specialized utilities used for HDD support in those two versions are different. Furthermore, software core of PC-3000 (DOS) was built in 1993 on the basis of graphical environment available in DOS and designed for RAM size of 640 Kb. Contemporary tasks, such as operations with HDD firmware images, fast search of HDD resources in database require completely different tools, that is why all those requirements were taken into account during development of software core in PC-3000 for Windows. Why do you use PC-3000? What else could we use? HDD manufacturers do not offer specialized software for repair or data recovery. All known software products distributed by HDD manufacturers (available from the technical support sections of their respective web sites) allow just general drive diagnostics, surface testing for BAD sectors making in the end conclusions that look like: "Please contact the technical support service." Testing software used at the manufacturing factories is generally very complex. It is designed for hard drive developers and not intended for HDD restoration being able instead to identify the causes of defects in the technological process or to control the whole HDD assembly cycle. However, versions of such software with limited functionality are sometimes available from HDD resellers. Here belong such well-known programs as DDD/DFT of IBM and Vtool for Samsung drives. The main problem of work with such software is not its complexity but rather lack of accompanying manuals and methods for HDD restoration, absence of resources (HDD ROM contents, various loaders, burn tests and scan test files). All those aspects make its purchase useless. There is also free software, e. g. MHDD, LHDD, etc. It is available from the Internet and it can be downloaded at no charge. Being free is its only advantage, but there is a serious drawback, too. Developers of such software design it just for personal pleasure when they have time for it. Thus we cannot speak about technical support, scheduled releases of new versions or any serious research in the sphere of HDD repair and data recovery. New peculiarities in the software complex of PC-3000 for Windows We can acclaim as new peculiarities enhanced orientation of the complex towards data recovery, greater number of automated modes, its system of tips and intuitive steps necessary for drive restoration. We have also completely redesigned and rebuilt the system for storage of HDD resources. Now all the resources can be stored in two locations: in a profile (temporary storage) and in a specialized database where all resources get compressed for space saving purposes and sorted for faster searching. We should additionally note a very important ability, which allows common operation of the new PC-3000 complex for Windows together with Data Extractor. Our new method allows recovery of user data from a HDD, which cannot function in accordance with its logical parameters. The reading routine

5 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 uses physical parameters (ZCHS) taking into account drive translation tables; Data Extractor in that case serves to rebuild a virtual image of user data. Software PC-3000 for Windows Resource database State-of-the-art drives are characterized by complex and very highly developed structure of service area including loaders, ROM microcode, configuration data in ROM, service area modules, adaptive data, selfscan files, etc. They all have various versions being incompatible with each other. A new storage system has been implemented in PC-3000 for Windows to provide a convenient repository for such resources. Temporary resources from the HDD being currently restored can be saved to a so-called profile - a system of folders. They can be copied, deleted, etc. when necessary. In profiles resources are stored in same format as in real hard drives - modules (*.rpm), ROM contents (*.bin), tracks (*.trk). Resources in that storage are completely compatible with resources of PC-3000 complex for DOS. One drawback of such storage method is manifested in the impossibility of efficient automated search using necessary parameters as criteria (e.g., search for a specific firmware version) and impracticability of data compression. Exchange of such resources is also very difficult (that can be clearly seen in the PC-3000 complex for DOS). That is why we recommend using profiles for temporary storage. Long-term storage of resources and creation of a standard reference collection of HDD resources featuring support for their convenient exchange have been accomplished through establishment of a resource database in the PC-3000 complex for Windows. The database classifies and compresses all the resources assigning to them search attributes automatically. That database is recommended for storage of all new resources from new functional HDD models. Its interface allows searching for necessary resources based on compatibility parameters as well as data exchange between users of the PC-3000 complex for Windows. The complex is supplied with a minimal selection of resources in the database; updates to the resources can be downloaded from the technical support site of PC-3000 for Windows; you can also supplement the database independently. Can users add new custom modes on their own? Yes, if the user is quite proficient and familiar with programming basics! PC-3000 complex for Windows has a built-in script machine, which allows independent extension of utility features. Of course, the task may be daunting for newbies, but after some experience someone who has mastered the complex perfectly may attempt to enhance its functionality. Open interface of the PC-3000 complex for Windows provides a wide range of opportunities for that purpose. Besides, users of PC-3000 for Windows can exchange the resources and ready scripts for new factory modes. Does PC-3000 for Windows support 2.5" HDDs? Yes, the package of PC-3000 for Windows includes a special PC-2" adapter for connection of 2.5" HDDs to the PC-3000 PCI tester board. The software portion of the complex includes factory mode utilities for 2.5" drives manufactured by Hitachi, Toshiba, Fujitsu, and Seagate. On-going development of specialized utilities for IBM and Samsung 2.5" HDDs is under way.

6 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 Adapter PC-2"- is intended for switching 2.5 HDDs Does PC-3000 for Windows support 1.0" HDD (Compact Flash)? PC-3000 complex for Windows has a special adapter «PC-CF», which helps to switch HDDs 1.0" HDD (Compact Flash)to the tester board PC-3000 PCI. To work with HDDs IBM/Hitachi Microdrive in the factory mode you can use a specialised utility IBM/Hitach (limited mode). Adapter PC-CF is intended for switching 1.0" HDD (Compact Flash) Does PC-3000 for Windows support SATA HDDs? From the software viewpoint operation of SATA drives does not differ from that of PATA (or simply ATA) drives. Therefore work with SATA drives is possible using a PATA - SATA adapter (is included into a set).

7 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 For switching Seagate SATA HDDs to factory mode the adapters PC-USB-TERMINAL and PC-SEAG.SATA is used. Scheme of connection of PC-USB-TERMINAL adapter Scheme of connection of PC-SEAG.SATA adapter Does PC-3000 for Windows unlock password locked HDDs? Specialized utilities and new technological probes was released for password unlocking HDD, for HDD that has been locked or the password has been lost. This method allows to unlock any password (MASTER or USER) and any security level (HIGH and MAXIMUM).

8 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 PC-3000 for Windows kit Tester card PC-3000 PCI Software PC-3000 Adapter PC-USB-TERMINAL Adapter PC-2 (for 2.5" HDDs) Adapter PC-CF Adapter SATA HDD Adapter PC-SEAGATE Adapter PC-SEAG. SATA Probe ATMR, HTS548, HTS726 Probe AVV2, VLAT IDE interface cables Cable PC-USB-TERMINAL Cable HDD-10 User Manual ACE Lab technical support Access to Online Forum Software Updates Access to Database with Firmware modules and Loaders PC-3000 PCI card and accessories PC-3000 for Windows software and manuals Examples of application Case 1.

9 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 A Western Digital WD1200PB-00FBA0 drive cannot be identified in computer BIOS, we need to recover user data. In the first place it is necessary to power-up the HDD and listen carefully to check whether the spindle motor spins up and the drive produces recalibration sounds (PC-3000 is not necessary during that stage). If the spindle motor spins up, check the settings of configuration jumpers, they should set the drive to be Master Only (in WD drives the mode is on when all jumpers are disabled), then you can connect the drive to the PC-3000 PCI tester board. PC-3000 PCI card front view That can be accomplished using a flat IDE cable connected to port 0 or 1 and a power cable. Then it is time to run the software (PC-3000 for Windows), power-up the HDD and launch the PC-3000 universal utility. PC-3000 PCI card back view If the universal utility is unable to read ID from that HDD and reports error 04h (ABRT), then you should launch a specialized utility for Western Digital HDDs. It will switch the drive to factory mode and attempt to read firmware header in ROM and the configuration sector in service area on disk. If the utility succeeds and outputs drive information to a report on display, then it starts service area structure test taking several minutes. Then the test results will be displayed. They will likely inform about damaged firmware modules 20h, 21h and 25h. The cause of HDD malfunction becomes evident. Using the "service modules" wizard one can tell that the modules belong to translator; modules 20h and 25h at that will be able to recover without assistance when the "regenerate translator" procedure is performed, but module 21h has to be overwritten. To do so, you will have to select from the database of the PC-3000 complex for Windows module 21h, having specified model WD1200PB-00FBA0 and firmware version 15.05R15 as search criteria. Use the list of suggestions to pick any module 21h and select the "write to drive" option. Then you will have to select the "regenerate translator" option and the default menu item; the program will also display the "recommended for data recovery" tip. Then switch the drive's power supply off and on again to make it initialize itself with new parameters and ensure than the drive is functional and user data can be accessed. Now you can connect that HDD to a computer normally and copy necessary data from it. Case 2. A Fujitsu MHS2020AT is identified normally in computer BIOS, but during the startup procedure you receive a message about HDD malfunction. We need to recover user data from it.

10 of 10 2009-08-25 02:01 To connect that 2.5" HDD to the PC-3000 complex for Windows, you will have to use the PC-2" adapter included into the package. Then power-up the HDD and listen carefully to check whether the spindle motor spins up and the drive produces recalibration sounds (PC-3000 is not necessary during that stage). If the spindle motor spins up, then you can connect the drive to the PC-3000 PCI tester board and launch the PC-3000 universal utility. At the start the latter will attempt to read identification parameters of the HDD and display the information in its report. In that case the utility would read drive description, but it would also output the following message: "WARNING! Security locked drive". The cause of HDD "malfunction" becomes evident. You may not know the password defined for that HDD, so you should start a specialized utility for 2.5" Fujitsu drives. Then select the "Security disable password" mode from the "Security subsystem" menu of the utility. The operation will take only a couple of seconds and the password will be disabled. Then switch the drive's power supply off and on again to make it initialize itself with new parameters. Make sure than the drive is functional and user data can be accessed. Now you can connect that HDD to a computer normally and copy necessary data from it.