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Samsung HD103UI Issue

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module   02-21-2009 at 12:55:31 AM

I have am trying to get my Samsung HD103UI to work with my Gigabyte p35-ds3r

I have updated my BIOS to the newest version, but the drive still shows up inte BIOS as 32mb (it shows up in windows disk management as nearly 8gb).

I have tried multiple sata cables/connectors on my board.

Is there anything else i should try before i pay the shipping for this to go back to NewEgg?

I'm desperate for help :( Pull through for me THW FORUM!

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MrLinux   02-21-2009 at 07:32:15 AM
- 0 +

Have you tried Samsung's drive configuration tool (ESTool).

Reply to MrLinux
module   02-24-2009 at 03:30:37 AM
- 0 +

I gave it a shot, and it told me i have a bad drive. I can't believe this is being nominated for an award on Newegg, at the time of this posting, 14% of owners have ranked it with 1 Star. I wont risk buying another Samsung HDD, I value my info too much.

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MrLinux   02-24-2009 at 08:08:37 AM
- 0 +

Samsung seem to be going through a bad patch at the moment; it happens to every manufacturer at some time, I just hope they get things sorted, Samsung used to be top of the tree for reliability.

Reply to MrLinux
favoritetort   02-24-2009 at 01:37:31 PM
- 0 +

Have had exactly the same problem also with a gigabyte mobo. You do not need to send it back.

The solution was to reset the drive's socalled "host protected area". This is an area on the drive which is not normally accessible to the os. It contains information about the drive, including its size.

You can reset this with a tool called hdparm, afterwich the correct size will be shown.
hdparm is a linux tool, so you will need to be able to boot into linux (perhaps from a bootable cd or usbdisk).

I you are not familiar with linux, perhaps you know someone who is. There might be windows tools around capable of the same thing, but i have not found any. If you like i can give more instructions on using hdparm.

good luck

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module   02-24-2009 at 02:07:44 PM
- 0 +

i will give this a try later with my Ubuntu disk - will post update. I am feeling hopeful! Thank you!

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favoritetort   02-24-2009 at 02:12:59 PM
- 0 +

i believe the commands were

hdparm --dco-identify /dev/sda (or whatever your drive)
and
hdparm --dco-restore /dev/sda
for the actual restoration

Reply to favoritetort
Homeboy2   02-24-2009 at 03:57:54 PM
- 0 +

I have a samsung 1tb, no problems after 6 months

Reply to Homeboy2
module   02-25-2009 at 01:54:03 AM
- 0 +

Homeboy - This issue is more common with Gigabyte boards (less common is my issue that the problem isnt fixed after updating to the newest BIOS)

I couldnt locate my ubuntu disk, so im re-downloading the ISO. I will post soon with the outcome.

Reply to module
module   02-26-2009 at 12:00:41 AM
- 0 +

Alright -

I got ubuntu 8.1 installed on my PC

the drive was listed as a space to install too ( i chose to install to my other drive).

the drive is not showing up in the OS though.

any thoughts?

Reply to module
module   02-26-2009 at 12:12:47 AM
- 0 +

progress -

in System>Administrator>Partition Editor the drive is listed!

oddly enough, the 500gb drive that ubuntu is installed on ISNT listed (i didnt chose for ubuntu to take up the whole disk, just like 20gb of it)

Reply to module
module   02-26-2009 at 01:43:06 AM
- 0 +

RESOLVED -

I simply formatted the drive and booted back into XP. WOW did I over complicate things. I guess for future reference the solution is:

1. Boot Linux from live cd
2. go to System>Administrative>Partition Editor
3. Format with Fat32/NTFS, whichever you prefer
4. boot back into XP and enjoy

I'm an idiot - i spent so much time researching so many things i didnt need to spend my time learning (all on the linux end of things). Maybe this is because there is so much out dated information due to the fact that there are so many updates for all the distros.

THANK YOU favoritetort FOR ALL YOUR HELP - you got me on the right path

Reply to module
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