Error 2010 on T43 with Toshiba MK8032GAX 80 GB

[nerdo5953]

Did anayone have luck with updating the HDD firmware for Toshiba MK8032GAX or have a workaround to aviod the irritating 2010 error message on a T43 (2886)?

I did try downgrading the BIOS but it doesn't downgrade for me from 1.29. Can any one who did this successufully share the experience please?

I've done my share of googling before posting this

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

I had no luck with updating T43-related firmware on any drives...

However, I have installed numerous Fujitsu 100 and 120GB (5400rpm) drives that do not trigger the error, so try locating one of these.

Good luck.

[Nameless]

I've successfully flashed two Hitachi 7k100 retail drives to IBM firmware. Both passed Hitachi's Drive Fitness Test program afterward, all tests. One was manufactured Oct '06, one Nov '07. I followed the instructions in the sticky thread and it worked for me. I can give the exact command line & procedure I used if anyone interested.

[nerdo5953]

Thanx ajkula66!

@Nameless
Well, that is what I am trying to do now, to somehow manually flash the drive as in the stickey. This drive is on the list of supported HDDs by firmware released by Lenovo (latest January 2009). But of course it ststes that there is no upgrade for this HDD when run from CD.

I need to figure out the right syntax and files to use in DOS!

[Brad]

I know the 2010 error appears ominus on boot. Simply changing the BIOS to continue on this error works great for me. A few seconds delay and then you are on your way. Some say there could be issues with the hard drive shock detection feature.

Brad

[nerdo5953]

I know the 2010 error appears ominus on boot. Simply changing the BIOS to continue on this error works great for me. A few seconds delay and then you are on your way. Some say there could be issues with the hard drive shock detection feature.

Brad

For me the "loud beeps" on booting up is verrrrrrrry irritating and frequently inconvinient.
The HDD airbag works fine for me despite the error

[Nameless]

Thanx ajkula66!

@Nameless
Well, that is what I am trying to do now, to somehow manually flash the drive as in the stickey. This drive is on the list of supported HDDs by firmware released by Lenovo (latest January 2009). But of course it ststes that there is no upgrade for this HDD when run from CD.

I need to figure out the right syntax and files to use in DOS!

Ok, here's what I did. Started with versions FWHD50 (slightly older vesion of 7K100 firmware) and FWHD55 (most recent). Burn both ISO's to CD-R. To get fwhd50.iso from Lenovo's site follow the links to get fwhd55.iso then change the URL manually when you get to that point in the download process.

BTW both my retail drives started out with firmware version MCZOA51A.

1. Boot up ver. 50, get 2010 error, go into firmware screen, hit "2", get message about no update available, quit out.
2. At "turn power off" message hit Ctrl-C to get to dos prompt.
3. My EXACT command line: "hfui15 OA5CA -pm mczia5ca.bin /F mpca5cab.tbl"
4. Get message about failure, ignored it. The drive now has MCZIA5CA firmware.
5. Power off, change CD's to ver. 55, boot up again.
6. Go into firmware update screen, now the drive is recognized automatically by the update program. So follow the prompts and the program will update the firmware automatically. The drive now has MCZIA5DA firmware, which is the latest.

The 2 drives I updated in this fashion had manufacture dates of October '06 and November '07 fwiw. After flashing I did the following tests in Hitachi Drive Fitness Test (a program I highly recommend for HD testing) version 4.08 with no errors:

- quick test
- advanced test (quick test + full media scan)
- exerciser with # passes set to 3 (advanced test + random seeks non-stop for at least an hour)
- erase boot sector
- erase disk (actually does erase + advanced test afterward)
- quick test again
- advanced test again

As you can see I'm freaking paranoid when it comes to hard drive data integrity. Also the "Drive Info" option shows the drive having the new IA5DA firmware.

The ONLY oddity I noticed: an IBM FRU original 7K100 drive flash-updated reported firmware version "MCZIA5DAZI" inside DFT, while the retail 7K100 drive after flash-updating reported firmware version "MCZIA5DAZI " . Note the addition of the ASCII smiley character at the end of the string. Either it's just a fluke or someone has a real sense of humor. Anyway the drive passed everything I could throw at it, so I feel safe entrusting data to it.

[Nameless]

By the way, I realize you weren't talking about flashing a 7K100, but I wanted to document my process while still fresh in my head for anyone else in my same situation.

[ohthinker]

Nerdo, if you're still around, I hope you won't mind my resurrecting this thread to ask -- did YOU manage to successfully patch the Toshiba MK8032GAX drive firmware, and send the 2010 error and its beeps straight to ... ?

Has anyone?

Lenovo lists the "MKxx32GAX" as one of the drives suitable for the T43, but previous posts seem a bit ambiguous about the results from using their patcher to update the MK8032GAX's firmware.

I wish I was more confident of my programming ability -- I might try hacking the bios to bypass that bloody 2010 check. However, I'm really reluctant to risk turning my nice, gently used T43 into an attractive, flat black floor tile.

Thanks to those who may have further info on this.

[sjthinkpader]

After paying several thousand dollars to recover data and other failures, Toshiba drives are at the bottom of my list.

Conversely, running WD 160GB/250GB drives and living with the error 2010 in several T43/T43p/R52 had been no problem so far. Fujitsu drives had been the most reliable HDDs for me.

[RealBlackStuff]

I agree, Toshiba hard drives are worthless pieces of junk!
Every laptop HD that died on me so far (6 of them) was a Toshiba!

[junglefruits]

Hi,

Trying to figure out if I can remove the error 2010 from my thinkpad x41t. I am using a 64gb SSD from kingspec. I have been reading through the forums and cant seem to find my answer. Can someone point me to the correct thread?

Thanks

[RealBlackStuff]

The forum's knowledge of the 2010 error is concentrated here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11059
I thought this was limited to T43 and R52!

[junglefruits]

Thanks! the search for error 2010 gave me this forum, not the one you linked

Thanks again