The Firmware Page

Hi all,im new to this forum and though i read and understood all the rules plz forgive me if im wrong in any way.
My problem is that i had this HDD in my system:
diamond max plus 9
250 ata/133 hdd
code YAR41KWO or 7Y250PO
and it has stopped functioning all of a sudden.After a reboot it started making strange noises and in the bios it no longer appears as 7Y250PO but as CALYPSO I tried connecting the hdd as an external via usb2 but the noise just kept on,extreme heat was building and the system would not recognize it. I have another one-same model & same specs but still works fine. I tried http://maxtor-hdd.narod.ru/ but my hdd wasnt there and power max but i cant use it (dont have a floppy drive-never had to use one ). I would appreciate any help

what kind of noises? from your brief description sounds as if the hard drive has failed, I keep well clear of maxtor since mine went with 150GB of data lost

I can hear the hdd running/rev up but when it tries to access its info (i suppose it does that-im well computer educated but not a guru ) i can hear a beep sound over & over again. Im thinking of running my friend's Spinrite-dunno if thats going to work. I definately need about 10 GB of info in that hdd so i will try anything you throw my way

if its a continous short beep you have a power problem

Its not constant-comes and goes in very short intervals. I doubt it is a power problem-> i tried it on another pc=same result/tried another power and ide cable=same result/as i said i tried usb2 connection=same result. Do u think Spinrite can make a difference or its a lost cause?
Im not advertizing it-its just the only prog for hdds i know of. If you got something else in mind-be my guest

you can try it, but it sounds like a hardware fault

My progress so far:
Tried Spinrite-Program failed
Tried powermax-device not found
After much digging found this site :http://www.dataclinic.co.uk/ and the following info:Maxtor Drives with firmware corruption will often have some of the following symptoms:
be recognised incorrectly in the BIOS, the computer will then often hang
not be recognised at all in the BIOS
run slowly make a regular ticking noise at start up--->which sums up my entire problem I know have the following dilema :
i know that the firmware is YAR41BW0. The http://maxtor-hdd.narod.ru/ gives 6Y80L0.RAR Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 Ardent 6Y80L0 CALYPSO Y32JWV9E YAR41BW0 80 Gb
6Y60L0.RAR Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 Ardent 6Y60L0 CALYPSO Y24G4HLE YAR41BW0 60 Gb --->which is exactly my hdd except the size and series (i have 6Y250PO). Can i do anything with these given files or not?

you would need the 6Y250PO series

Yup, this noise sounds like a damaged drive...

I would like to keep any hope alive before i throw it down a cliff
As i said-i have an identical hdd fully working. Is there any way i can get my hands on its firmware? Would that be of any help whatsoever or am i talking scifi over here???

I don't think this can work.

a non starter, new drive time

Thanks for your quick replies but as i said i wouldn't even think of repairing an hdd (would just buy a new one ) if it weren't for those damn files i desperately need .I tried almost everything i could digg up in the web. Im thinking of one last stand before i put the hdd in the bin. Im thinking of swapping the controler boards of the non working one with the working one i have. What are the chances of that actually working? I dont care if i tottaly destroy the hdd-i just need those files

That is the only chance you have.
You have a similar drive - then try it.

if a maxtor shows up with factory default name (Athena, Romulus, Calypso etc.) it has damaged firmware. that means, that the drive does no more allow access to the data. but data is most likely undamaged. only the firmware is damaged. but firmware is neccessary to access data. there are tools for repair of damaged firmware. but they are expensive (300+ Euro). with a little luck you can also get free tools for few maxtor drives from same sources (salvationdata, acelabs etc.). biggest problem with maxtor drives is to find specific undamaged firmware: look up your model code, HDA code, PCBA code, Unique code, 4-Letter code printed on HDD-case below barcode and code printed on IDE-Connector. If you cannot find firmware with these specifications, you will have to find a working drive with theses specifications and read out undamaged firmware with the help of the expensive software. exchanging the printed circuit board (PCB) will not help, if the only damage is in the firmware, because firmware is stored on special areas of the hard disk surface. this would remain the same, if you exchange PCB. of course, also PCB could be the reason for your problems. but if you want to swap the PCB, you also have to take care that it has right codes, otherwise it could destroy your data.

maxtor drives can be a nightmare to recover, and its a big if your lucky if you get the tools from maxtor support, stay clear of them

hi,
- try this HDD repair version 2.0 in eng.


http://www.orbitfiles.com/download/id1152382966

- senfd info for all code on this disk, M/b.
- i have only this firmware, check by MT.exe
[code]

Passport HDD
POKER : CALIPSO
Name : MaXLine Plus II
Size : ATA/133 HDD 250GB
Serial : Y65JC111
Model : 7Y250P00628R1
Code : YAR41BW0
IDE Label : M8FYB
HDA : R1A
PSBA : 28A
None : J121
None1 : P606A
None2 : 670,960
None3 : PGT CAL4.26 FC.

Cheek sum
ROM : 3619

The information on details and label

hda_sn Y65JC1117QE
media_ven M
motor_ven G
pcba_config Y28A
head_ven K
hda_module FY06A
preamp_ven E
hsa_cfg N
hsa_sn 6YK6EN6DB4E6K
dealloc_hds 0
hda_stat NB
motor_label MUVAVGCXB45065
cnv_mtr_ven G
media_label D76129MV0WZD84
cnv_med_ven M
act_stat NB
cnv_hd_ven K
stw_stat 0
pcba_stat NB
pcba_pn M8FYB
pcba_sn MAEMRNAQ
vcm_label XB2BP448
hsa_exp 0
awa_cnt 0

Cheek sum
ROM in Loader : 3619

MxHelp ver. 2.00 beta.
http://www.hdddiy.com