pcfr33k

@jaclaz, Will this procedure work on a drive that displays no issues? I just wanted to try to get to at least the very first prompt right after CTRL-Z. Tried TIAO(TUMPA) the OPSEC USB and the RS232/TTL adapters using the bread board etc as shown in "http://www.mapleleafmountain.com/seagatebrick.html" and I am unable to get to that prompt. Is there a way to get into this Diagnostic Mode if this is what this mode is called, with other drives such as the Toshiba, Western Digital, Travelstar etc? Thanks

My very scarce German tells me that "5 V-TTL" translates in English to "5V-TTL" . Compare with point #10 of read-me-first: You want 3.3V TTL, NOT 5V TTL. These are seemingly suitable (BUT do check with the seller): http://de.futureelectronics.com/de/technologies/interconnect/usb-to-ttl-rs232-rs422-rs485-cables/Seiten/1177955-TTL-232R-3V3-WE.aspx http://parts.digikey.de/1/1/1398465-module-usb-srl-3-3v-ttl-conv-ttl-232r-3v3-pcb.html http://www.tme.eu/de/details/ttl-232r-3v3-aj/ftdi-module/ftdi/ttl-232r-33v-aj/ http://www.ebay.de/itm/FTDI-USB-UART-seriell-Adapter-AVR-PIC-TTL-RS232-/270748929489 This one has several types listed: http://www.unitronic.de/index.php?id=ftdi-r TTL-232R-3V3 (TTL-232R mit 3,3V IOs) good TTL-232R-AJ (Audio Jack connector, 5V IOs) bad TTL-232R-3V3-AJ (Audio Jack connector, 3.3V IOs) good TTL-232R-PCB (Populated PCB from the TTL-232R USB connector, 5V IOs) bad TTL-232R-3V3-PCB (Populated PCB from the TTL-232R-3V3 USB connector, 3V3 IOs) good TTL-232R-WE (No connector at serial end, 5V IOs) bad TTL-232R-3V3-WE (No connector at serial end, 3.3V IOs)good This may help you (together with the read-me-first) understand the issue: http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/Pegelwandler jaclaz Thanks for posting that list. Is it safe to say those adapters will work or have been tested to work? I have to assume this adapter will work since it is advertised to work on seagates? THis one looks very similar to the one you had in your list but from US which is where I am from. http://www.ebay.com/itm/280748167812?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Can I ask you if you had any experience with these adapters below. So far I cannot get anything from CTRL +Z. I have to assume by CTRL +z you mean press the CTRL button followed by Z button or both at the same time. I even tried with the + key that made no difference!! I am assuming the + means Plus and not to depress that key as well? My adapters: TUMPA http://www.tiaowiki.com/w/TIAO_USB_Multi_Protocol_Adapter_User's_Manual THis has both RS232 and TTL. Switched jumpers so I am in TTL mode. BUS PIRATE http://dangerousprototypes.com/bus-pirate-manual/bus-pirate-uart-guide/ Bus pirate has the UHART protocol but I don't think it has TTL OSEPP http://osepp.com/products/breakout-board/osepp-ftdi-breakout-board/ RS232 connection: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180746490652&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:1123 I am not 100% sure if I have to supply a 3.3volt to the VCC on this one or not or if it generates a 3.3 volts from the RS232 port? I cannot get the above 4 adapters to get me into a prompt after CTR: +Z I am going to try them on my Linksys Router WRT to make sure they are working correctly. Loopback is not enough proof for me. Some past Ebay purchases I made over the year and going to test later. Nokia CA-42 http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Data-Cable-For-NOKIA-6101-6102-6102i-6103-CA-42-/320919853261?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item4ab85058cd Others http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-USB-2-0-SERIAL-RS232-DB9-9-PIN-ADAPTER-CABLE-PDA-/160523344872?pt=US_Parallel_Serial_PS_2_Cables_Adapters&hash=item255fefdbe8 http://www.ebay.com/itm/170872574752?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/itm/261072607167?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/itm/280942999018?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/itm/251082091781?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Thanks for taking the time to review my post and sorry for the Ebay links. This was the only way for me to show you the devices I already have.