HDD Clipping

Stimpyone

Hi Folks,

Not sure if this question is in the right place but here goes.

I have a HGST Z5K500-320 2.5 HDD SATA.

It's a 320gb HDD but it's clipped at 250gb. I'd like to remove the clip.
I know on some HDD's it possible to limit the drive capacity using jumpers.
However there doesn't seem to be any on this drive, not externally anyway.

Is it possible that this HDD has been clipped via firmware?. If so does anybody know of program that'll allow reverse this?

Thanks for the help.

K.O.Kiki

I think it's more likely that you got a defective drive, or got sent a mislabelled 250Gb.

Send it back.

smuggler.ie

Where do you read "HGST Z5K500-320" if don't mind me asking?


data-sheet-travelstar-z5k500.pdf


You should be able to get real model number from Disk Mgt>(Right click)on Disk>Properties>Hardware
Win8 and Win10 show it on Task Manager

Stimpyone

HGST Z5K500-320 is on the label. In fairness the drive is probably a rebranded
Hitachi.

I've misplaced my SATA cables at the moment so I can't confirm. See attached pic.

Many thanks.

Skerries

that just looks like a label someone put on it

what do you actually get when you have it installed?

Stimpyone

Yes, I assume the label was put on at manufacture when the drive was clipped for some reason.

I've seen clipping before, but usually it's a hard setting via jumpers and pins. Remove the jumper and your hdd is no
longer clipped and you're able to use the full drive.


When installed I get 250.1gb, mfg label says 320gb.

I've completely wiped the drive several times now and it says 250.1gb, formatted or not.

Thanks

K.O.Kiki

I'm just going to go ahead and say that "clipping" isn't a thing anymore, you simply got scammed.
That drive might be defective in ways you don't know yet.

SEND IT BACK.

smuggler.ie

Where HDD came from?
If specific device, it could be "clipped" to protect hidden partition containing firmware, etc.

In some cases "LBA clipping" could be used to refurbish drive with "bad sector" instead trashing it.
Discard of Bad Sectors with Cutting The Hard Drive Capacity

My guess is good as yours...


'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'
These days HDD cheap enough to buy new rather messing with it.

Skerries

have you tried any utilities like these?

https://www.techspot.com/downloads/533-ibm-hitachi-feature-tool.html

https://hddguru.com/software/2007.07.20-HDD-Capacity-Restore-Tool/

https://www.hdat2.com/

TerrorFirmer

It's so much hassle over a drive worth about €5.

Just get a 500GB 2nd hand HDD from CEX for a tenner, they'll even give you a two year warranty.

Stimpyone

smuggler.ie wrote: »

Where HDD came from?
If specific device, it could be "clipped" to protect hidden partition containing firmware, etc.

Your correct, the HDD came off a controller brd for an industrial robot. The brd was fried but the HDD is ok.

Just thought it'd be a shame to bin it.

Stimpyone

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

It's so much hassle over a drive worth about €5.

Just get a 500GB 2nd hand HDD from CEX for a tenner, they'll even give you a two year warranty.

Yeah, I know. But just thought I might learn something.

Thanks anyway.