I just bought a ST3500320AS hard drive. A quick google search shows that there is a firmware update available for this drive (http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=207951). However, I can't find anywhere that states what this firmware update is for (what does it fix?). Does anyone know what the update is supposed to correct? -Ryan Adams Free Computer Tips and more:http://RyanTAdams.com Paid Tech Support: Black Diamond

This is my advice but I only sometimes follow it. If it works then don't frack with it. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, antivirus, anti-spyware, Live CD's, backups, are in my top 10

link to hdd probs with firmware http://forums.seagate.com/stx/board...

I've read all those seagate forum posts. From what I can gather, the issue most people are talking about is one of two things: a) the drive has 32mb cache, but reports it as 0, so performance suffers or b) the drive just stops working one day after a power cycle. According to the Seagate tools program, my drive is reporting 32mb cache, so that is not a problem. However, I am worried that my drive may just stop working one day. My drive was shipped with SD81 firmware, which according to the Seagate page I linked to earlier is eligible for the firmware update. Most of the people who have reported their try just failing after a power cycle have much lower firmware numbers. Furthermore, most of those threads seem to indicate the necessary firmware updates are only available from Seagate support, and are not posted on the website. So, again, I'm wondering what the particular firmware update I linked to actually fixes? -Ryan Adams Free Computer Tips and more:http://RyanTAdams.com Paid Tech Support: Black Diamond

I can't say if the available firmware addresses this or not but some users have found it impossible to get certain Seagate Barracuda drives to function on some systems at all. That could be the reason for the firmware not be readily available as it only affects certain chip sets. IBelow is a comment from the user ratings at newegg. Reviewed By: on 3/19/2009 Rating + 4Rating + 4Rating + 4Rating + 4Rating + 4 Tech Level Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 week to 1 month This user purchased this item from Newegg Pros: Good fast drives. Haven't failed, have one with the "bad" SD15 firmware thats been running since Oct. Cons: Just bought another recently and it is ALOT louder then my other 500GB 7200.11 Other Thoughts: Don't forget to register your drives :D

I too bought the drive from NewEgg and remember reading that review (and a bunch of others). It seems that the SD15 firmware is the one with the most issues. I haven't really seen anything about the SD81 firmware (which I have). I'm just nervous because the Seagate website lists a firmware update for my firmware, but doesn't say anywhere what the update is supposed to fix/prevent. I think I'll email their tech support and see if they can tell me what the firmware update is for. -Ryan Adams Free Computer Tips and more:http://RyanTAdams.com Paid Tech Support: Black Diamond