Segate size issues with firmware

[gilmog1]

Hi all,

This is my first post on Tek tips so here goes...

I have a customer that has been given a segate hard disk as a replacement, Model - ST340017a, Compaq Part # 180476-001.

The above disk was sent as a replacement for a downed 20gb drive, the hard disk is actually a 40gb but has had the firmware flashed from 3.13 to 3.33 so pc bios's only recognise it and use it as a 20gb drive. i have spent the weekend searching segate and compaq (HP) websites but no firmware is available. does anyone know of or have the firmware so i may flash this up to its full capacity, seems a great waste and a pointless excersise by compaq. why not just send them out as normal. anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated..

Many thanks

Graham.

 

[norty303]

*Shock* Does this sort of thing actually happen? It must actually cost them more money to flash the bios than to send out the hd 'as is'!

 

[Mikevb]

It most definitely does happen. I have about 10 drives at work with the same issues. They are all 20 GB drives (various brands), but have been set to be 10GB or 6.4 GB drives by ...Compaq! I also require help in correcting this (if possible). Compaq do not respond.