sangram
02-11-05, 01:27 AM
Have a big problem. Assembled a new machine from scrap, only with a new mobo. The AsRock A7VM3 with the Via Prosavage controller. Loaded up WinXP, system fired up, all was working OK till I saw the HDD temps were quite high. So I decided to reconfigure the case and moved the HD to a new place so it would not be quite as cramped, reconnected and fired it up. That's when the problems started.
The HD wasn't recognised at all for the first few tries. If it was, the system wouldn't boot from it - saying no boot record found. I changed everything, the cable, the Molex, everything. Then the system booted to BIOS and gave me a red flashing message - HDD locked, enter password, gives me 5 tries and locks me out. can't get past the POST screens.
Resetting the BIOS password doesn't work. I've been doing a lot of reading, and apparently it's more common in 2.5" laptop drives, Xboxes, etc, where the lock HD feature is used. My case is unique in that it is on a desktop drive, that was working perfectly, did not have a password set in the first place, and now the drive is unusable (it is of course beyond the warranty period).
System specs:
AsRock A7VM3 (Via ProSavage 8), AXP 1800+ Palomino, 350 watts proprietary form factor SMPS, Seagate Barracuda IV 40GB now locked, LG 24X CD-Writer, GeForce MX 100 64 MB.
http://www.asrock.com/product/product_k7vm3.htm Mobo link
http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/ata/st340016a.html HD link.
Not useful info, I know, but here's what I have kind of figured from my net research.
1. The HD lock is impossible to release without the password or specialised hardware meant specifically for HD troubleshooting and repair. Which means $$$, manufacturer or recovery specialist.
2. The exact location of the password is either the drive firmware or the system area of the drive platter. It is NOT connected to the system BIOS therefore flashing, clearing will not work.
3. There has to be a DIY way but I don't really se one for desktop drives.
I also would love to figure out how the drive got locked in the first place.
Any ideas, anybody?
btw I have tried the master password "Seagate" that didn't work, I just tried on a hunch.
The HD wasn't recognised at all for the first few tries. If it was, the system wouldn't boot from it - saying no boot record found. I changed everything, the cable, the Molex, everything. Then the system booted to BIOS and gave me a red flashing message - HDD locked, enter password, gives me 5 tries and locks me out. can't get past the POST screens.
Resetting the BIOS password doesn't work. I've been doing a lot of reading, and apparently it's more common in 2.5" laptop drives, Xboxes, etc, where the lock HD feature is used. My case is unique in that it is on a desktop drive, that was working perfectly, did not have a password set in the first place, and now the drive is unusable (it is of course beyond the warranty period).
System specs:
AsRock A7VM3 (Via ProSavage 8), AXP 1800+ Palomino, 350 watts proprietary form factor SMPS, Seagate Barracuda IV 40GB now locked, LG 24X CD-Writer, GeForce MX 100 64 MB.
http://www.asrock.com/product/product_k7vm3.htm Mobo link
http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/ata/st340016a.html HD link.
Not useful info, I know, but here's what I have kind of figured from my net research.
1. The HD lock is impossible to release without the password or specialised hardware meant specifically for HD troubleshooting and repair. Which means $$$, manufacturer or recovery specialist.
2. The exact location of the password is either the drive firmware or the system area of the drive platter. It is NOT connected to the system BIOS therefore flashing, clearing will not work.
3. There has to be a DIY way but I don't really se one for desktop drives.
I also would love to figure out how the drive got locked in the first place.
Any ideas, anybody?
btw I have tried the master password "Seagate" that didn't work, I just tried on a hunch.