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What is HRT 3.0?

HDD Repair Tool (short for “HRT”) is designed for HDD repair and data recovery by BVG Group.

Harddisk Supported:

IBM families DPTA, DJNA, DTLA5, DTLA7, AVER and AVVA.
IBM/HITACHI families AVV2, HDS7-VLAT (AVV3).
FUJITSU families MPG AT and MPG AH.
FUJITSU 2,5′ families MHK2xxxAT, MHL2xxxAT, MHM2xxxAT, MHN2xxxAT, MHR2xxxAT, MHS2xxxAT.
WESTERN DIGITAL families AA, BA, AB, BB, EB, DA, JB, и PB, on Marvell processor.
SAMSUNG families Voyager10, Voyager11, Voyager11+ и Victor40.
SEAGATE families U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, V8, U10, UX, Barracuda 2,3,4,5,7,8,9.
MAXTOR families Fireball3 (Ares), 541DX (Athena), 540X-4K (Romulus), DiamondMax Plus8 (N40P), DiamondMax Plus9 (Calypso), DiamondMax Plus16 (Falcon).
QUANTUM families LA, LB, LC, LM, AS, LD.
HITACHI 2,5′ families DK23xx: AA, BA, CA, DA, EA, EB, FB.
TOSHIBA 2,5′ families MKxxxxGAP, MKxxxxGAS, MKxxxxGAX.

HRT Data Recovery Edition

HRT Data Recovery Edition tool has been designed for recovering data from damaged hard drives. Full functionality can be achieved by using special interface, but it is possible to use the application alone without full functionality.

Main features:

1. The utility enables data copying from bad HDD to both a destination disk and image file.
2. During coping section having bad sectors can be skipped.
3. The utility enables to copy only sectors chains concerning to files which you are interested in without accessing to other sections of bad HDD.
4. In case of unstable read HDD data copying by means of statistic method is possible.
5. Data copying is based on the map. In this map only sections having data which you are interested in are marked.
6. The utility enables to stop and to start data copying. It means you can start copying from the breakpoint.
7. By any attempt of data reading from bad HDD this data will be copied to the destination.
fterwards, this data will be taken from the destination only once.
8. It is possible to copy data on every head taken separately.
9. 32-bit mode is embedded in controller card. This mode speeds up copying twice as it was.
10. Bad HDD mounting is possible in the system.
11. The utility enables to take into account offset for data sectors because of translator destroying.
12. The utility supports file systems FAT16, FAT32, NTFS (DOS/Windows), EXT2FS, HFS, HFS+ (Apple MAC).
13. You can edit partition tables manually.
14. If case of damaged references it is possible to find directories.
15. The utility functions both in complex HRT and separately. In complex the utility has got more abilities.

Related Links:

The complex history of HRT
Basic data recovery operations of HRT
HDD Repair Tool 1.0 for IBM
HRT Data Recovery Edition User Manual

Hard Disk Repair

HDD Repair Tools: PC3000 VS HRT

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM15 years ago12 years ago07 mins

As we know, both PC3000 and HRT are professional hard drive repair tools. Before we decide to buy one of them, here are some useful views for us.

Hello Everyone, I am still new to the industry and have a question in regards to Software/Hardware complex products. I recently called Ace Labs and got a quote for the PC3000 pci. It was more then I expected! I know PC3000 is great to Re-flash Firmware, repair Firmware.I also know it can be used for ATA Master password recovery. But I was not able to find a manual, which references all of PC 3000’s functionality. I have also looked at HRT 3.0. I was able to download the English manual to look at the GUI and some of it’s functionality. I did not see anything mentioning that the HRT can repair Firmware corruption. Does it have this ability? I did notice that HRT 3.0 has the ability to read from each Head separately can PC3000 do this as well? I could not find a HRT 3.0 distributor outside of Russia, what would be the best place to purchase and how many $$$. What is the functional difference between PC3000 and HRT 3.0? What is the price difference? I have found HRT on EBay, is there a way to distinguish the real version from Chinese copy? What is your experience with either product?

Personally I wouldn’t recommend HRT to anyone (I believe it is crap and cannot be used in a DR business. You will have zero support, and you have to be rather a firmware engineer than a DR tech to operate it). As far as i know, there are indeed no distributors outside of Russia, and some people say they receive no reply when they even ask for a quote (not to mention the product support). Pc3000 isn’t perfect as well, but at least it is possible to use it. Data extractor (an Acelab product) can read from each head separately (as far as I know).

thank you for your opinion. I guess then It’s PC3000 or the highway Do you use PC3000? AceLabs stated that it is dificult to use PC3000 and they wanted to sell me additional training. Since I can’t seam to find a manual online, it’s hard for me to say if It is difficult to use or not, what is your opinion? I would say I have intermediate HD and DR knowledge as well as Expert IT knowledge and some knowledge in Programming. I belive I should be able to figure most of the stuff out myself, but again, I don’t know If PC3000 is all Windos GUI based program or if commandline and some sort of scripting is required. Thanks again

PC3000 is a GUI program but coded pretty badly. It is very hard to use it. I’ve never used it (I am only using my own software ) but seen lots of people who are using it and struggling… In other words it does have a GUI but the problem is that AceLab did not understand clearly what the GUI should be used for So yes, it is hard to use it. It does not matter what are your skills unless you have skills recovering the system area. Therefore some basic training would be useful…

The manuals that come with the PC3000 are actually quite good (translations aside) .. AceLAbs don’t presume to know everything about every hard drive ever manufactured and they’re not afraid to admit that. But this card works very well.The difficulty in using it is no different to using any other NEW APPLICATION for the first time. I’m still having trouble with MS Acess!The GUI is difficult the first few times but practice makes perfect – especially if you are working on similar HDD.

I use PC3000, and I use Data Extractor very very often. I have never used HRT but am considering the Data Recovery edition ( http://www.bvg-group.ru/eng/diagnostic/HRT_DRE.php). this does not seem to have any repair utilities just recovery and seems very similar to Data Extractor. It has a similar interface, and supports HFS and EXT filesystems has built in partition and translator editors, is able to mount a failing disk to use with standard software. I have got a quote for 3000 USD, but this seems a little expensive. Anybody have any experience with this at all?

If you have any other views, please feel free to share it with us.

Hard Disk Repair

HDD Repair And Data Restoration Tool: PC3000 UDMA

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM16 years ago4 years ago014 mins

1.What is pc3000 UDMA?
PC3000 UDMA is a new product of ACE Laboratory combining a wealth of long experience in data recovery and HDD repair market with 18 years of work with their first products: PC-2000 MFM/RLL, PC-3000 DOS (ISA), and PC-3000 for Windows PCI recognized by data recovery experts worldwide.

（Specialized two-port tester card PC-3000 UDMA）

2.Which problems can be solved using PC-3000 UDMA?
The features provided by PC-3000 UDMA can be conventionally subdivided into two parts according to their purpose:

HDD repair

Restoration of user data

Operations with HDD printed circuit board (PCB):

Scanning of firmware microcode in ROM; verification of configuration data in ROM; verification of firmware version in ROM; buffer RAM test; performance of self-diagnostics.

Reading and recording of Flash ROM containing firmware microcode and configuration data in ROM. The data for programming of Flash ROM can be copied from the resource database of the PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) suite.

Operations with HDD service area (SA):

Testing of service area for BAD sectors; scanning of service modules to detect possibly corrupted sections.

Erasure and formatting of service area; restoration of damaged SA modules or their overwriting with standard reference data from the resource database of PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA).

Operations with HDD disks:

Surface testing and detection of BAD sectors; launching the internal low-level format procedure.

Relocation of revealed surface defects updating the defect tables; launching the Self Test procedure.

Operations with reading/writing HDD heads:

Head testing (for some drive families only).

Isolation of malfunctioning heads. HDD capacity decreases in such cases but the drive may become completely functional.

Universal features for operations with HDD:

An opportunity to reset SMART parameters of a HDD.

An opportunity to correct drive identificatin data (ID).

An opportunity to unlock USER and MASTER passwords in a HDD.

An opportunity to delete HDD data quickly without impeding its functionality.

Read data in UDMA66 mode.

3. PC3000 UDMA FAQS:

1. Can users add new factory modes on their own?
Yes, if the user is quite proficient and familiar with programming basics! For this, PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) suite has:

Built-in script engine, which allows independent extension of utility features. Of course, the task may be daunting for novice users, but after some experience someone who has mastered the product perfectly may attempt to enhance its functionality. Open interface of the PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) suite provides a wide range of opportunities for that purpose. Besides, users of PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) can exchange the resources and ready scripts for new factory modes.

ATA Commander is another tool that allows inspection of new HDD modes. In fact, it offers a real research lab for users who wish to analyze HDD operation on their own. АТА Commander allows you to send to a HDD any command including factory ones. It also supports their classification, reuse and conversion to scripts, if necessary.

2. Does PC-3000 UDMA support 2.5″ and 1.8″ HDDs?
Yes, the package of PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) includes a special PC-2″ mini ATA adapter for connection of 2.5″ and 1.8″ HDDs to the PC-3000 UDMA tester board. The software portion of the complex includes factory mode utilities for 2.5″ and 1.8″ drives manufactured by IBM, Hitachi, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Seagate, Western Digital, and Samsung.

3. Does PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) support 1.0″ Microdrive HDDs?
1.0″ HDD are relatively new. They are designed for use in portable devices featuring the Compact Flash interface. PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) suite includes a special PC-CF adapter with the Compact Flash interface, which allows connection of such drives to the PC-3000 UDMA tester board. A specialised utility for Hitachi 4-16 Gb Microdrives is currently in development.

4. Does PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) support SATA HDDs?
Yes, the package of PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) includes a special PC PATA-SATA adapter for connecting SATA HDDs to the PC-3000 UDMA tester board. The software part of the suite includes factory mode utilities for operations with SATA HDD.

5. Can PC-3000 for Windows (UDMA) be used to unlock a password-protected HDD?
Yes, it can. Factory mode utilities feature a special mode for work with the password-based security subsystem of HDDs. The mode allows you to view and erase existing Master and User passwords thus unlocking the HDD. For most 3.5″ and 2.5″ HDD unlocking is based entirely on software methods in factory mode. Some types of 2.5″ HDD require special Unlock 2,3 probes.

4. PC3000 UDMA Case studies:

Case 1. A Western Digital WD1200PB-00FBA0 drive cannot be identified in computer BIOS, we need to recover user data.

In the first place it is necessary to power-up the HDD and listen carefully to check whether the spindle motor spins up and the drive produces recalibration sounds (PC-3000 is not required during that stage). If the spindle motor spins up, check the settings of configuration jumpers, they should set the drive to be Master Only (in WD drives the mode is on when all jumpers are disabled), then you can connect the drive to the PC-3000 UDMA tester board.

That can be accomplished using a flat IDE cable connected to port 0 or 1 and a power cable. Then it is time to run the software (PC-3000 for Windows), power-up the HDD and launch the PC-3000 universal utility.

If the universal utility is unable to read ID from that HDD and reports error 04h (ABRT), then you should launch a specialized utility for Western Digital HDDs. It will switch the drive to factory mode and attempt to read firmware header in ROM and the configuration sector in service area on disk.

If the utility succeeds and outputs drive information to a report on display, then it starts service area structure test taking several minutes. Then the test results will be displayed. They will likely inform about damaged firmware modules 20h, 21h and 25h. The cause of HDD malfunction becomes evident. Using the “service modules” wizard one can tell that the modules belong to drive translator; modules 20h and 25h at that will be able to recover without assistance when the “regenerate translator” procedure is performed, but module 21h has to be overwritten. To do so, you will have to select from the database of the PC-3000 complex for Windows module 21h, having specified model WD1200PB-00FBA0 and firmware version 15.05R15 as search criteria. Use the list of suggestions to pick any module 21h and select the “write to drive” option. Then you will have to select the “regenerate translator” option and the default menu item; the program will also display the “recommended for data recovery” tip. Then switch the drive’s power supply off and on again to make it initialize itself with new parameters and ensure than the drive is functional and user data can be accessed. Now you can connect that HDD to a computer normally and copy necessary data from it.

Case 2. A Fujitsu MHS2020AT is identified normally in computer BIOS, but during the startup procedure you receive a message about HDD malfunction. We need to recover user data from it.

To connect that 2.5″ HDD to your PC-3000 for Windows system, you will have to use the PC-2″ adapter included into the package. Then power-up the HDD and listen carefully to check whether the spindle motor spins up and the drive produces recalibration sounds (PC-3000 is not necessary during that stage). If the spindle motor spins up, then you can connect the drive to the PC-3000 UDMA tester board and launch the PC-3000 universal utility. At the start the latter will attempt to read identification parameters of the HDD and display the information in its report. In that case the utility would read drive description, but it would also output the following message: “WARNING! Security locked drive”. The cause of HDD malfunction becomes evident.

You may not know the password defined for that HDD, so you should start a specialized utility for 2.5″ Fujitsu drives. Then select the “Security disable password” mode from the “Security subsystem” menu of the utility. The operation will take only a couple of seconds and the password will be disabled. Then switch the drive’s power supply off and on again to make it initialize itself with new parameters. Make sure than the drive is functional and user data can be accessed. Now you can connect that HDD to a computer normally and copy necessary data from it.

Hard Disk Repair

Harddisk Diagnostic & Harddrive repair tool: HD Doctor Suite

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM16 years ago4 years ago09 mins

1. What is “HD Doctor Suite”?
HD Doctor Drive Restoration Suite is an integrated hardware-software combined system that fixes firmware issues for drives of all major manufacturers and popular drive families.

2. Why you need “HD Doctor Suite”?
Being a data recovery professional, surely you have such kind of experience: You have to deal with data recovery from a drive with mechanical drive failures. How would you do then? Some of you may have success with electronic (PCB) problems by replacing PCB parts or directly the whole. But what will be the next when it doesn’t do anything good (even worse)? The firmware problems which need to be handled with these tools are causing 60 percent of all drive failures-up to 80 percent for some models.

3. What can Data Compass do?
Data recovery from physically damaged HDDs is what Data Compass designed for.

* Data recovery from HDDs with severe multiple BAD sectors, which appear because of platter surface scratch or malfunction or instability of the magnetic head assembly (MHA).

* Data recovery from HDDs that start to produce “clicking” sounds, which may be caused by corruption of sector servo labels or a MHA malfunction. If some heads or surfaces are damaged it is possible (before installation of MHA replacement) to create a copy of data using the remaining good surfaces or drive heads.

* Data recovery from HDDs with corrupted portions in the dynamic system of LBA – PCHS translation.

* Availability of tools for logical analysis of FAT and NTFS file systems in the software complex allows data recovery in cases, when a drive is functional and only logical data structure is corrupted.

* When used with malfunctioning drives, Data Compass complex often allows selective extraction of data necessary to your customers without reading all data from a drive (“recover data by file” without creating a complete disk image) saving a lot of time. In some cases, when drive malfunctions cause constant self-damage (like scratches on disks or instable MHA) these are the only means to accomplish this task. With the ShadowDisk technology adopted, users need not to worry about the drive degradation problem.

4. What is the highlights of “HD Doctor Suite”?
* Cost-effective design for data recovery companies, you do not need to setup a clean room or purchase the rumorous servo writers, or other expensive equipment.

* Comprehensive drive diagnostics carried out with ease and fast speed towards PCB, head stack, SA, firmware modules and media, the vendor-special diagnostics mode provide exact results to help you decide possible recovery methods. Specialized utilities allow more comprehensive and deeper diagnostics towards the SA and firmware recovery by activating the vendor-special restoration flow.

* Unlike tools developed by some other software companies and the vendors, HD Doctor repairs your drive without damaging the user data, while others only repair drive by erasing/damaging all the user data. HD Doctor is specially designed all its functions into three risk levels: RED, BLACK and GREEN, so to indicate what you can do and what you can’t do during the drive restoration process in case you need to maintain all user data intact.

* Software that comes with HD Doctor runs on Microsoft Windows XP/2000. We integrated lots of operation scripts to be functional buttons to reduce the operation steps for easy-to-use purpose, you don’t need to be an expert or go for training.

* View and edit HD Password using manufacturer protocols for all supported manufacturers. Unlike other products who claimed password removal by Brute Force & Dictionary Attack (which actually remove nothing but wasting your time), we actually “see” the password directly.

* Embedded Engineer Note records the engineer’s operations and reviews, on a case basis.

* HD Doctor comes with a full range of adapters for the most common drive types (2.5″ and 3.5″, PATA and SATA, RS-232 cable, jumpers, programmer…).

* Free upgrade of software and supporting list will be provided to all the customers once available.

* Software is designed to support hard drives based on firmware structure and technology used rather than model number. This enables the HD Doctor to support more hard drive models, including some that are brand new on the market.

* Firmware repository maintained officially and by third parties is continually updated for new drives added to the support list, and you can download them as needed from us.

* “One-Click” auto firmware repair for most common firmware failures: for example, G-list overflow, P-list corruption, SMART module corruption and more. Your data becomes one click away.

* Special design enables you to repair even HDD from different manufacturers at the same time.

* Compared with other software’s complex re-activation process for installation, upgrade or transfer of license to a new host computer; HD Doctor can be run on multiple PCs with one license after activation via USB 2.0 interface, enabling you to perform on-site recoveries.

* Hardware Write Protection switch is embedded, which blocks any possible command that may do harm to the user data.

* Both the complete suite and the partial suite include the HD Doctor console, HD Doctor software, a range of adapters, and you get access to downloads, user forum, and free technical support..

5. Useful Links

Data sheet on the HD Doctor Suite.
Download a list of drives supported by HD Doctor Suite.
Comparison table: PC 3000 VS HD Doctor Suite
Contact to find out more about HD Doctor Suite (Such as Price, how to purchase…)

Hard Disk Repair

Harddisk Diagnostic & Harddrive repair tool: PC 3000 System

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM16 years ago3 years ago04 mins

1. What is “PC 3000 System”?
PC-3000 Drive Restoration System is a Phase I tool, dealing with drive restoration and its two critical steps: harddisk diagnostic and harddrive repair.

2. Why you need “PC 3000 System”?
As a data recovery professional, chances are you have ways to deal with mechanical drive failures. You may even have some success with electronic problems using jury-rigged tools and trial and error. But can you handle the firmware problems that cause 50 percent of all drive failures-up to 90 percent for some models?

3. What is the highlights of “PC 3000 System”?
* Designed specifically for the needs of data recovery businesses, PC-3000 does not require clean rooms, servo writers, or other expensive equipment.

* Universal utilities give you faster drive diagnostics, and let you decide on possible methods for recovery. Specialized utilities allow deeper diagnostics and firmware recovery in a drive’s vendor-specific mode.

* Unlike software repair utilities distributed by software development companies and drive manufacturers, PC-3000 repairs the drive and treats user data with respect. And unlike manufacturer’s test and repair software, PC-3000 comes with manuals and provides methods for drive restoration in a user data intact environment.

* Software that comes with PC-3000 features a user-friendly Microsoft Windows XP/2000 interface.

* PC-3000 comes with a range of adapters for the most common drive types, and firmware libraries are continually updated for new drives and patches, and you can download them as needed from DeepSpar.

* PC-3000 has built-in features to treat particular drives for their most common failures: for example, firmware damage in G-list and P-list corruption in Maxtor; SMART counters overflow in Western Digital, Fujitsu MPG issues and more.

* The PC-3000 kit includes a PC-3000 PCI card, PC-3000 software, a range of adapters, and gives you access to downloads, user forum, and technical support.

4. Useful Links

Data sheet on the PC 3000 System
PC 3000 System Demo Video
Download a list of drives supported by PC-3000 UDMA, and PC-3000 for SCSI.
Comparison table: PC 3000 VS HD Doctor Suite
Contact to find out more about PC 3000 System (Such as Price, how to purchase…)

NEW: PC-3000 UDMA is now available. This latest version supports working in UDMA modes for vastly increased speed. (PC-3000 UDMA also combines the capabilities of both PC-3000 PCI and PC-3000 ISA.)

Harddisk Diagnostic & Harddrive repair tool: HRT 3.0