Warning - Some Seagate 7200.11 32MB cache drives ship with most of its cache disabled

crazyswede

crazyswede

crazyswede

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I purchased a few Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache drives ( Model ST3500320AS ).

I installed it and ran HD Tune and it told me that the drive model number was ST3500820AS, but it should have been ST3500320AS. It also told me that it only had 8MB cache, but it should have had 32MB. The wrong model number ST3500820AS was confirmed when I went into the bios screen.

I did some searching on the internet and found a few other people was having the same problem. Apparently Seagate has shipped some of these drives with the wrong firmware which disables most of the buffer. My firmware was SD04.

I upgraded the firmware using the firmware from Seagate's website and the drive now has the correct model number. However, HD Tune now tells me that my buffer is now 0. Sandra is not telling me the cache size (Only for my other drives). Now I don't know if these programs are misreading the cache or if all my cache has now been disabled? Is any one else having this problem? Is there any other software that can identify the amount of cache or a way of testing the cache?

Here is the links to Seagate:

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/other_downloads/cuda-fw

Barracuda 7200.11 SATA models with firmware SD04 or SD14


A small number of Barracuda 7200.11 drives with firmware versions SD04 or SD14 may show and utilize only part of the available cache. Please follow these steps to ensure that your system recognizes the full cache.

Click here to determine your drive model number electronically.

Below are the Barracuda 7200.11 model numbers. If the orange digit is any number other than those shown, Seagate recommends that you update the firmware on your drive:

Model numbers

1000 GB
ST31000340AS

750 GB
ST3750330AS

500 GB
ST3500320AS

If the drive bears one of the model numbers above then no action is required. If you do have an incorrect model number, please download SeaTools to determine your serial number.

Once you have your serial number contact Seagate Technical Support to receive the AD14 firmware update.
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http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/other_downloads/cuda-fw-disty

Barracuda 7200.11 Reporting Wrong Cache Size


Seagate has recently discovered that some of Seagate’s Barracuda 7200.11 hard drives with firmware version SD04 or SD14 will report an incorrect cache size.

The discrepancy is due to the firmware incorrectly identifying the cache size during the buffer size auto detection algorithm. This incorrect value will be passed from the drive, via the “Identify Drive” command to the system BIOS, which in turn reports the incorrect cache size.

The following Barracuda 7200.11 models have been impacted:

ST3500320AS PN 9BX154-302 with firmware code SD04 or SD14
ST3750330AS PN 9BX156-302 with firmware code SD04 or SD14
ST31000340AS PN 9BX158-302 with firmware code SD04 or SD14
For all inventory with the Seagate P/Ns mentioned, a simple firmware update is needed to resolve this issue. No action required for -302 with firmware code AD14. Additionally, no action on your part is required for the Barracuda 7200.11 drives that have already been shipped to end users – Seagate will provide end user support at the Seagate Support Web Site.

Provided below is the link to the code upgrade utility which will complete reloading of corrected firmware for all Seagate models. The new Firmware release is AD 14.

Download the AD14 firmware
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Last edited:
Deluxe1 said:
Just checked mine and they are both the correct model.
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That's good to hear... I can't check the other drives until I get into work on Monday.

8igdave said:
id of rmaed it. But does this mean people ca unlock theirs to get 32mb cache as well i wonder.
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It might be possible, as they probably make them all the same because its cheaper.
 
omg, just found this thread by accident.

I too just bought a 500gig 7200.11 (ST3500320AS).

Ran HDTune and it reported that it was the correct model number with firmware SD04, but said it had "0" buffer. I Followed the link by the OP about some of the 7200.11's reporting the wrong amount of cache, downloaded the firmware and flashed it.

HDTune now reports the BIOS as being AD14 (correct supposedly), but still says it has "0" buffer :mad:
 
I just got this back from seagate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

The new firmware would solve this problem. The new technology used in Barracuda 7200.11 drives. The software won't be able to recognize the cache size of Barracuda 7200.11 drives.

xxxxxxx

Upgrade file for Seagate ST3500320AS (Barracuda 7200.11) AD14

Below you will find the instructions for redeeming the certificate number and downloading the software requested.

1. Go to the Certificate Validation URL on Seagate's website at: http://www.seagate.com/support/certificate.html
2. Enter the certificate number in the field provided on the website and click SUBMIT,
3. Follow the instructions for downloading the firmware below.
Your certificate number for your download is:
(This code consists of 12 digits so please verify that you are using all characters listed.)
The code will expire in 10 days, so please download the software promptly.

Should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us. In order to allow us to deal with all enquiries as efficiently and accurately as possible we would ask that you include any previous emails when replying to us.

Best regards
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The firmware upgrade was the same as the one I used before. He is saying the software will not be able to recognize the cache?

I had ordered another drive and it arrived today and it had the correct model number but again software is saying 0 cache.

Has anyone seen the cache size in any software?
 
Crazyswede, seems like we have the same problem.

The only program that gives info about HDD cache that I've tried is HD Tune and that reports 0 cache for my 7200.11. I haven't tried Sisoft Sandra yet, but I expect that will not report the cache size as you have said.

This all seems very suspicious to me. I mean.. why would they release a new firmware that fixes the problem of the cache being incorrectly reported, then say that software will not report the cache size :confused:

Does anyone know of any other software that will report HDD cache size?

TIA
 
Any chance we could get some advice from OCuk on this. Was just about to order my rig this weekend and it included 3 of these drives.
 
I got one yesterday with the ST3500320AS code.

Wish I looked in here 1st before transfering over 280GB of files to it.

The clicking is the only thing thats annoying, but the firmware upgrade is supposed to fix this problem also.

Did any of you lot update the firmware with files on the drive and are the files ok.
 
I also bought this drive at the weekend, and although it reported the model number correctly, it had the SD04 revision of firmware. I ran HDtune and it showed no cache, so I searched the internet and found the new firmware which installed fine using the floppy, though it appears people have had problems using a CD.
It still benchmarks exactly the same with good results, well outperforming the -10 I have, but not being able to read the cache is a worry as I have become cynical over the years. Seagate must be able to test these at the factory, so why don't they update seatools so it can determine the cache size?
It is strange!
 
I contacted seagate with the following:

"I have purchase 2 x Barracuda 7200.11 from Overclockers.co.uk.

Using Everest I can see that the cache is listed as 8MB on both of these drives and the model number is ST3500820AS for both drives.

The serial numbers of the drives are: XXXXXX, XXXXXX.

I understand that you can provide me with updated firmeare to fix this issue."

The response was:

"Thank you for your E-mail inquiry.

With regards to your query, I understand that you are looking for Firmware update, because of the risk to data and the HDD hardware, it has not been Seagate policy to send out firmware updates for PATA/SATA drives. PATA and SATA firmware is specific to the onboard chipsets which can change during the manufacturing life. Improper application of firmware can quickly cause the data on a drive to be lost or for the drive itself to become lost and useless."

Any Suggestions??
 
Considering the comments on their web site which accompanies the link to the firmware update the response you received is a bit odd. Clearly you want your drive to function to spec, and if the drive is reporting only 8k cache then it is not to spec, and I would either RMA it, or insist on the firmware update. They may be a bit nervous as the web has reports of people having problems with the CD being used to update. Considering you are supposed to disconnect all sata and pata devices except the 7200-11, how do you leave the CD connected?
I used my floppy drive and it worked fine.
Retailers should be helping a lot more here, this is clearly a problem where confidence in a good drive is being damaged due to poor communications.
What is needed is a utility that will correctly read the cache size.
Brian
 
Yes I agree. Obvoiusly I have responded to Seagate, I think they missed the point of my original email so I have stated it more clearly.

For those in a simarlar situation I have found the software available to download from this thread.

I must confess that I am nervous about performing the firmware upgrade though. Has anybody done it?
 
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