The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/anachronismMining on 2024-12-17 18:01:16.
TLDR: Not asking anything; warning story to avoid sabrent. Have old drive dock, performed firmware upgrade, couldn't read data written with old firmware, sabrent refused to provide original firmware, found used duplicate dock from similar mfg time, read and backed up data, sabrent refused reimbursement.
I have an old EC-DFFN purchased in 2022, been using it to read and write backups and archives. Purchased EC-HD2B recently, couldn't read the data written on the backup, 500GB of data on a 14TB drive. I was confused but too busy moving and dealing with family illness to think anything about it. Months later I realize the drive is readable, only in the old EC-DFFN dock. I started to look things up and saw there was an update because of issues with large drive support. https://downloads.sabrent.com/product/ec-dflt-firmware-update/, and other firmware on their website and off. In a sleep deprived state I start the update, 2 seconds after starting I realize that'll probably means I won't be able to read the old data. "oh no. Tivo pieces. And I went to bed." Lo and behold, gpt protective partition and largely unreadable data from either linux or windows. Might have been possible to use a recovery utility, could kind of see some of the files with a recovery utility, was slow as hell. But I figured a firmware downgrade was the sensical option.
I call and email Sabrent. I'm mildly ornery, brusk, have poor beside manner, and obviously irritated because I can't find original firmware on their site.
My name is ********* Thank you for contacting Sabrent Tech support.I'm happy to assist you, in this case, unfortunately the original version of the Firmware is not available for sharing, we highly recommend that before applying any firmware update you contact us to in order to determine if the Firmware update is necessary. To have a better perspective of the current situation with the docking please install a drive and if you are con windows go to disk management take a screenshot of how the system recognize the drive and share it with me.
Next:
Thank you for your response, as mentioned before, we highly recommend that, is just a recommendation, a good practice in order to provide an accurate diagnosis if the docking station will need or not a Firmware update, I understand your position, I just want to clarify that what I'm doing is provide a recommendation and a good practice for the Sabrent devices, I totally understand if you decide to apply the updates and contact us later that is no issue we will happy to assist you.That been said, the second Firmware update that you download and apply is the currently the only Firmware update that we have available for the Jmicron chipset that address storage capacity issues, I will double check with development team if there is a different Firmware update that we can try, as soon as I have a response I will let you know.just for you information the First Firmware update that you download and apply just address the issue when the docking station is not recognize by Acronis true image for Sabrent.
Next
I just received a response from my colleagues on development team, they informed me that unfortunately there is no alternative Firmware update that we can try with the docking station and I even asked if an exception is possible for the Original Firmware update unfortunately, the request was denied.the best shot would be with the second docking station that you order, please keep me posted if that unit is able to read the 14TB drive.
I tried two recent firmware from sabrent, and others of dubious origin after their refusal, no dice.
They refuse to provide old firmware. Tried two recent firmware from sabrent, and others of dubious origin. I go to chotchkies r'us where I find a delightful vintage EC-DFFN infused with period accurate cheap cigarette smoke, for more than what I paid new. But it's of the right vintage, 2021. Who am I to complain? I read the backup and backup the backup data. I message them letting them know that in fact old firmware does work for my purposes of restoring data and to poke the obviously tepid waters asking for reimbursement expecting nothing.
I’m glad to hear that the docking station you purchased is able to read your drive. In this case, our recommendation is to first back up your data. Once completed, move the drive to the docking station where you applied the firmware update, and format the drive there. This should allow the drive to become readable on that docking station.Regarding your reimbursement request, we carefully evaluated it. Unfortunately, we are unable to approve the request, as the issue arose from the unnecessary application of the firmware update. While firmware updates are available on our website, applying them without verifying their intended purpose is not recommended.If you need any additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us—we’ll be happy to help.
I'll be looking elsewhere except so many products use the same base design and chips. I've never been in the position of being refused an old firmware to deal with a situation like this. Bizzare and antagonistic. Never encountered a drive controller that corrupted but maintained readability if you kept drive controller monogamy.
Thank-you for reading. I'm going to go for a hike.