Seagate 7200.12 - Should I update the firmware?

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Hello,

For a couple of years I have been using the stock Windows drivers for my 1tb harddrive with no major problems (performance hasn't been brilliant though, drivers are dated 2006...). I have just noticed 'new' Seagate firmware for my specific HDD;

CC49 with a March 11 release date...



Question is, i've never installed HDD firmware before, is it worth doing? Am I going to brick anything and break a warranty in doing this?:D





EDIT: Well, I used the very easy to use firmware upgrading application, and instantly I can tell that the noise the HDD makes when seeking has gone down a heck of a lot...
 
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In all the years I have been messing with computer hardware in both a hobby and professional capacity and that's 15 years now ...I have never upgraded a hard drives firmware, until SSD's came about with various real improvements in their firmware I have ever seen the need to.

My advice is, if the firmware isn't offering something that you really want (I highly doubt it is on a mechanical drive) and there is nothing wrong with the way it is now, don't do it, or you may find yourself with problems you didn't have before.

Incidentally I've never used specific drivers for a hard drive either, indeed I'm not even sure there are any, just the os ones. As a matter of interest I checked the one's on my W7 desktop, which has 1 Seagate and 2 Hitachi's in it, and they are all 21/06/2006, just the date MS drew up windows SATA HD drivers I guess.

I wouldn't worry about it anyway.
 
I tend to do it on hard drives, especially the newer ones, many have updates that prevent weird data loss issues

Always make sure you've got a backup in place before doing it (good to always have backups in place all the time)

Love the sig :)

To find your current firmware version (works for DVD drives and hard drives), Device Manager, find the device, Properties, Details, go to the second dropdown box 'Hardware IDs' the numbers/letters at the end are your firmware version

firmware.png


edit, firmware update out for my SSD I notice!
 
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Seems a risky procedure, would definitely backup before hand. 7200.12 drives had an inherent problem I believe? Not that I've had any fail *touch wood, as my main server OS is a Seagate 1TB 7200.12 drive*
 
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