Latest (ATA-5, 6) HDDs may be bigger than they appear

[R.G.]

http://www.utica.edu/academic/institute ... 4A2671.pdf

Drive Capacity Overlays let HDD makers make fewer versions of HDD than they nominally sell, and allow manufacturers to set HDD capacity smaller than the native device to match only the purchased set.

Tools may exist to find this out, although the only one I've seen is http://www.downloadpipe.com/system-util ... 66308.html

[R.G.]

Found another one:
http://hdat2.com/
HDAT2 purports to detect and change the HPA/DCO characteristics of drives using the architected ATA commands.

[RealBlackStuff]

Here's another one:
http://hddguru.com/content/en/software/ ... tore-Tool/

[sparta.rising]

RBS... thats the same one as in the first post.

It seems like a little limited because it won't detect a drive connected via USB and it can't be used on the system hard drive... so only if you are using a desktop or have an ultrabay adapter.

Second tool looks a little more promising by offering a boot cd... haven't had a chance to try it. But possibilities are very interesting!

[bill bolton]

allow manufacturers to set HDD capacity smaller than the native device to match only the purchased set.

You can bet that will also only warranty the capacity that they sold on the drive.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[R.G.]

Of course they won't.

And if that's important to one, one should read the terms of the warranty closely about one's responsibilities for what to do and not do to maintain the warranty.

But if you have no warranty anyway, the question is moot.

My Thinkpads are always used when I get them, for a good set of reasons. But I don't get warranties that way.

[Harryc]

My Thinkpads are always used when I get them, for a good set of reasons. But I don't get warranties that way.

Hard drive warranties are separate from used Thinkpad warranties. They are with the hard drive manufacturer. You need to check the model/serial number at the manufacturers website to see if it is covered. Many drives carry a 3 to 5 year warranty.

[R.G.]

Hard drive warranties are separate from used Thinkpad warranties. They are with the hard drive manufacturer. You need to check the model/serial number at the manufacturers website to see if it is covered. Many drives carry a 3 to 5 year warranty.

Good point, Harry!

I need to take my own advice and "one should read the terms of the warranty closely". Just like tires are warranted on cars.

I wonder if the model/type sold in a private label machine (i.e. a Thinkpad) carries the same warranty as a general-trade disk. The OEM market is full of special deals. A discount in quantity for a lower warranty period, matching the period of warranty on the whole machine, would make sense to some manufacturers. Or not.

Interesting point for some research.