Hardrive locked !

[5cupa]

my Hitachi hardrive all of a sudden after 2 years has decided to lock it self

on bootup it comes up asking for a unlock password (not a windows type password check but a dos one). after a bit of research I think it is a firmware lock on the hardrive itself.

does anyone have any idea or know of software that can clear or unlock this drive?

as this is something I have never seen before.

thanks

[blueball]

Usually locking is done from the BIOS or a utility (depending on model). Only thing I have seen is this: http://www.rockbox.org/lock.html

I know it is for the Archos boxes but it supports Hitachi drives.

[5cupa]

I saw that but unfortunetly the download has gone, maybe because page update was 2008

[blueball]

The ATA password Tool is also available on UBCD for Windows

[5cupa]

just tried it but wouldent work for SATA

i am really stumped as this happened all of a sudden and never seen this happen before now

[BobF64]

Might be some sort of firmware/eeprom corruption.

[Splash]

you got a model number for the disk, possibly a firmware revision too? Maybe even a screenshot of the "lock" screen?

[Output]

I saw that but unfortunetly the download has gone, maybe because page update was 2008

It seems to be available via the page on Archive.org:

http://web.archive.org/web/200805170....org/lock.html

[blueball]

Have a look at this:

http://neosmart.net/forums/showthrea...9098#post49098

or this

http://www.hddunlock.com/

[5cupa]

thanks I will check it all out. strange thing is I can open certain partitions on the drive when connecting via a sata/usb cable.

I read that this can happen if power supply cuts off.

at least its a new issue to add to the many over the years

[djnaff]

check HDAT2 v4.8.1 on ultimate boot cd
it does sata drives and you may also be able to unlock with its master password list

[5cupa]

thanks for the help.

in the end i reformatted the drive. and strangely it let me back in.

I will just have to see if it happens again.