New Firmware for Seagate 1.5 TB Drives

[DrewFulton]

I just finished updating my 2 1.5 TB drives with the new firmware and so far so good.

I was experiencing the random freezing which typically would then lock up my system as it tried to access the drive.  According to seagate support, this is fixed with a new firmware.

In order to get the firmware, you have to call Seagate support and give them your serial # of the drive.  They then email you a code and link and you download the file.

The included instructions are for a floppy disk image and bootable cd image.  All are windows instructions however the bootable CD will work on an Intel Mac.

My only difficulty was trying to perform the update while the drive was in a Burly Enclosure, things kept timing out.  I removed the drive from the enclosure, put it in the tower and bingo.

While all my data came through just fine, be sure to backup your disk just in case.

I haven't had much time to experiment but a quick few tests seem to show a massive improvement.  I'll post again if I see something to the contrary.

Best,
Drew

[DrewFulton]

Just wanted to post an update.  I spent the morning working on images on this drive and it was singing along just wonderfully.  Before the new firmware I would have had a crash at least once.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair of drives and hope to do so early in the new year.

Best,
Drew

[JoeThePhotographer]

Why go through all the trouble with this Seagate?

Joe

[DrewFulton]

Joe,

I'm not exactly sure what you mean.  Why do I want to go through the trouble or why does Seagate want to go through the trouble?

I went through the trouble because I had already picked up a pair of drives before the problem became real well known.

I'd do it again because you just can't beat the price/size/speed/etc.

Drew

[JoeThePhotographer]

I meant if you could get a reliable 1-TB hard drive, why bother with this drive?  It seems a drive ought to be reliable before anything else.

Joe.