Seagate ST9500420AS Firmware Update

What is this?
- This is a firmware update for those who may need it. It's from Dell, not Seagate or Asus, so do it at your own risk.

Drive Model:
- The ST9500420AS is the Seagate 7200 500GB drive that came with my G73jh-A2.

Problems I had:
- I had a problem where my HDD would constantly click beep and when it did so would cause a slight intermitten pause to my system. This wasn't constant but every once in a while. This is a flaw in the firmware with the HDD's power saving. This happens when the HDD parks it's head for power saving.
- My HDDs were also pretty loud. The noise from my G73jh-A2 for a while I thought was my fan, but then I noticed the fan like noise was from the front, it's the HDDs.
- I also noticed the 2nd HDD showed errors on HDTune Pro 4, but the HDD had no errors, worked fine and passed all tests with other utilities.
- I noticed the transfer speed of large files from one partition to another or one HDD to the next was around 20 MB/S and sometimes as low as 15 MB/S

Normal Fix, Solution:
- Normally you just edit the Windows Power Saving options. You go to Power Saving, click on advanced settings and then find the Hard Drive setting and set it to Never. Not zero. You just keep scrolling down or hit the down button until it says Never.
- This forces your HDD to never go to sleep or park it's head. This means it's more responsive, no click beep noise etc.

Do you have a firmware where the above settings does nothing?
- I did. I found out that there is an updated firmware from Dell dated December, 2009. Seagate has made the ST9500420AS for quite a while, it's an old model. And the firmware they ship it retail with is old. Asus does not have an OEM model on this, it's just the retail model I believe.
- Mine shipped with 2SDM1, this update is 5SDM1

Download firmware:
Dell Download Site: Drivers and Downloads
If you don't want to deal with that, here is Zippyshare: http://www15.zippyshare.com/v/19556405/file.html
- The firmware is straight from Dell but I still scanned with MalwareBytes and MSE 2.0 just to reassure any of you.
- MD5: B171842A707A721161D6EC5AA0B96370
- SHA-1: 2D5847A0229AEEA3366634CCF457D608EE9A2AF1

Instructions:

Custom Instructions for R250679.EXE:

* PLEASE PRINT THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS *

For Bootable CD option

(PLEASE MAKE SURE A/C POWER IS BEING USED WHILE UPDATING YOUR HARD DRIVE)

1. Click on the (R250679.EXE) file and select "RUN" then "RUN" again.
2. Press "Continue" then "OK" to extract the files to the provided location.
3. If you have CD imaging software that supports the .ISO image format the file "C:\DELL\Drivers\R250679\Seagate Utility.ISO" is an image for a bootable CD that will automatically run the application.
4. Boot to the CD.
5. The Seagate utility will start automatically.
6. Because this updates a Dell OEM firmware, it will not recognize your retail firmware, will not update and go straight to DOS prompt.
7. Force install the Firmware with the following line
8. FDLH -m HOLLIDAY -f 0005SDM1.LOD -i ST9500420AS -b -v

This will scan for all HDDs that are ST9500420AS and update them. So with one command line, both my HDDs were updated.

Don't have ISO Image Burner or just don't Nero, Roxio or any other junky bloated crap that sometimes just fail with DVD and DL DVDs?
- Imgburn! It's the fastest DVD/CD burning software I've come across. Completely free. Absolutely light weight, nothing there that you don't need. A very simple and easy to use GUI with a lot of information. And so far, not one failed DVD burn.
http://www.imgburn.com/

Results of the Firmware Update?
- FINALLY NO MORE CLICK BEEP NOISE, QUIETER AND MORE RESPONSIVE!
- My transfer speed was around 20MB/S from one HDD2 to HDD1 and now it's at around 64-120 MB/S.

As here can see I have the latest new Firmware 0005SDM1



Automatic Acoustic Management (IDE Only, AHCI not supported, haven't found an AHCI supported tool in 64 bit mode yet

This is what keeps your HDD quiet. After the flash the AAM may have been disabled. To resolve this use HDDScan

1. Download: http://hddguru.com/software/2006.01.22-HDDScan/
2. Unzip to any directory.
3. Run HDDScan.exe as administrator
4. Select the drive you want to adjust in the "Select Drive" drop down.
5. Select Tasks > Features > IDE Features.
6. If AAM is disabled the "On" label in the Automatic Acoustic Management box will be red. Change the value in the "Current" text box to match the value in the "Recommended" text box.
7. Press the "Set" button. The "On" label should turn green and your drive should instantly become noticeably quieter.

 

whoah i am interested about the transfer speed
thanks for sharing

you mean 20mb/s ?

EDIT :i am not having the transfer problem nore it is pausing my system
and i think they are quiet enought

 

I see that this is the standard drive that came in most of the A1, A2, and X1 models like mine. I just upgraded the firmware on my drive with a bootable USB flash drive. Thanks for the find and post Ruckus!

 

Get an SSD and call it a day. I have the 320GB 7.2K Seagate, its zippy for a mechanical drive but still sllloooowww.

 

Seems few didn't read what I wrote or why I posted this. This isn't to speed up your HDD to something like an SSD. C'mon use your head, don't fantasize. This is if you notice like I did I wasn't getting the expected performance from a 7200 HDD, power management issues, and some other oddities.

Keep this thread clean for those who have issues with their ST9500420AS 500 GB drive that the G73jh-A2 and countless other laptops come equipped with.
- This isn't the thread to market or boast about how awesome your SSD is. Plenty of other threads to do that.

 

i've understood perfectly but looks like someone doesn't
i don't have the problems you've mentioned so i am not going to do nothing
+1 rep

 

The thing loaded up with a green background and a command prompt appeared, but when I put in the command, it said no firmware file was found?

First I extracted the files and it made a folder called Dell with some folders to click through, then it came into a folder with another folder called files and Seagate Utility. So I right clicked Seagate Utility and opened it with ImgBurn and burned it. Was I supposed to do something with the folder called files too?

 

No... As per direction you are supposed to burn the image file. Segate Utility ISO.

 

Ok, that's what I did, but it doesn't work, the thing pops up when the computer starts, then I type in the command and it says: Error Opening Firmware file.


Ok I fixed it, this is what happened, you wrote in:

FDLH -m HOLLIDAY -f 0005SSDM1.LOD -i ST9500420AS -b -v

but it should be: FDLH -m HOLLIDAY -f 0005SDM1.LOD -i ST9500420AS -b -v

You put an extra "S" in the "0005SDM1.LOD" part

 

Sorry about that.

 

Great find and great fix +rep.

 

I'd like to share that my HD make the audible clicking sound after firmware update.... It sounds like the platter head is touching something. My HD never did this before, they only park their head and like OP said HD will take some time to wake up from sleep. But this scares me hell out of me now. I hadn't bothered with any benchmark application but personally this firmware may not for everyone.

 

I uploaded a USB Flash Version of it for those that don't want to waste a CD.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ez9mflj2x6jtmsy

Here are the instructions on how to use it, I quoted Gary on how to make a bootable USB Flash drive.

3. Type FLASH.BAT and wait for it to finish.
4. Completely turn off your laptop and do a cold boot (otherwise you will probably BSOD when Windows 7 is loading).

Note: The FLASH.BAT will only work if you have the ST9500420AS, any other model and you have to edit the FLASH.BAT with a text editor so it passes the proper model #, or you can type the command manually.

Edit:
Here's the benchmark result from CrystalDiskMark (I have Intel RST 10.1.1008 installed)


Edit2:
This firmware seems to make the drive run louder than it used to, at least on my PS3 (I had to take it out of the PS3 and update it). I don't notice much on the PC. This could've fiddled with just the sleep timer thus making it respond faster by making it go idle every 10minutes instead of like 1 (example).

 

Read my post again... I stated exactly what this firmware fixes and why. This is also how I found the firmware for the exact problems I had.

 

I'm just trying to say it will make the drive louder than it used to be.

 

Really? When i found this on my own (Posted a thread about the noise) and found and tried the update thanks to a Dell owner who explained everything. Noise is exactly what I prevented.

The drive kept spinning down with a clunk much more nosier than the normal spindown caused by the drop sensor or a power off. Sometimes 3 times in a row, not only was it noisy it was bad for the health of the drive.

The update made it act exactly as it did when it was new, the symptom didnt appear for me until after a year and i made this thread trying to figure out what was wrong - http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...ary-spins-down-clunks-alot-2.html#post7013652

 

Well, since my G73JH was only 2 months old, it wasn't clicking. So the firmware update (presumably changing how long till the spindle decides to "sit down"), made it louder than before. Of course, if you have clicking noises, it does make it quieter. This is all subjective ;p

 

Makes sense and fair enough. I cant say I even hear the drives under normal circumstances. Unlike the last laptop after a year or so the hard drive sounded like it was metal on metal but it was fine lol.

 

Do yourself a favor and trash all those bad series seagates b4 they give up and die.

 

There is a newer firmware at Seagate's site. This one is over a year old.

 

So you just pop in and don't provide a link?

 

... and I should go to the Seagate site, hunt and peck, so I can spoon-feed?

Er... ok

Oh NOES!! My bad - I thought that this thread was about the Momentus XT.

I will slink away now in shame.

 

+1 for the LOL

 

I was about to say lol I did the update checker and it said NO lol. All i saw on seagates site was discussions about the drive in dells apples and what not. Even saw a thread telling the guy if the dell update wouldn't work they would modify the apple release to work. You were definitely thinking about the wrong drive.

 

I"ve updatd the first post if you have any issues with the HDD spinning being louder than you expected. After flashing, the Automatic Acoustic Management may have been disabled. To re-enable follow the directions.

 

You should add as a note that there may be seek-time increases due to AAM.

 

Well it seems the fix for the AAM doesnt hold after a restart? Both The HDDScan tool and HD Tune Pro report AAM as being off after restart...

Wait, im in AHCI mode...is that why? lol so we have to use IDE for that fix to work?

Ok since installing this update (and the newer Intel RST drivers) my computer has frozen 4 times just browsing the web

 

before uninstaling rst can you do some benchmarking of the hdd
i find the old matrix storage better than rapid storage

 

My benchmark scores didnt change much to be honest

Pic of my D/C drives

 

that's with the RST v10 right
can you install now rapid storage 8.9 from asus site
i think you will have better results

 

You may like the old matrix storage drivers for better bench scores, but most software access the hard drive(s) through the OS, not directly like bench apps, and Windows 7 can take advantage of AHCI features like better multithread DMA.

Benches are great for bragging, but real life performance varies depending on how the machine is used with what software. Whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy

 

I just wanna add, like all hardware, they're different from one another even if they're the same model. Heck, even the same batch of HDD will vary in speed by a bit (+/- 10MB/s) is pretty normal for a 7200RPM drive. (The faster it is the more difference you notice in the performance difference)

 

I installed the driver found on Chastity's driver reference page and I'm not sure the installation had succeeded.
At the end of the process, a "Wrong Model" statement is displayed. See attached.
Find also a printscreen of the HD device properties after the reboot.
I have a G73JH-X1 machine.
I don't see any reason why the update has actually failed...
Any idea someone?

 

You mean other than the drive model in both of those images not being one of the affected drives according to its number? AS and ASG are not the same.

 

Thanks for your answer.
I don't see anywhere that ASG is specified.
My firmware is ST9500420AS as you can see in both images

 

My bad actually i seemed to have slipped as there are two separate DELL updates one for AS and one for ASG.

You did not fail, it actually was successful according to your image. The wrong model, was pointing to the Intel SSD as this update searches for ALL connected drives.

The first drive is found, firmware is updated, you will see the same drive relisted with the new firmware as per the instructions.

You will then see the Intel SSD pop up and then it says that is the wrong model. This is normal it was just commenting on the drive that wasn't compatible.

Sorry for my 5 AM lapse in brain power.

 

Thanks RainMotorsports!
I did not realize that the program tries to upgrade each of the hard drives he finds!!!
Thanks for your early morning help anyway!

 

okay i've done this firmware and i can hear as the previous users my hdd are louder
can i revert to original version? or i am doomed

 

This firmware update needs to be updated with some new information since it's on the sticky read before posting.

To reiterate, if you have issues with clicking and beeping noises then this firmware update could be your fix.

ST9500420AS Firmware Update Tool and Firmwares, Chastity and Dell sourced:

Use HD Tune or other HD tools to check your firmware. If you have firmware 002SDM1, then upgrade to 005SDM1. If you have firmware 003SDM1, then upgrade to 004SDM1.

Depending on your firmware you will need to edit the seagate.bat file with notepad. Change the firmware you need to upgrade to from there.

Instructions are easy. Place the files onto a bootable thumbdrive. Run seagate.bat when you are at the command prompt.

Forum Thread with more information: http://forums.seagate.com/t5/Moment...ASG-Momentus-7200-4-clicking-noise/td-p/30598

 

Just curious, I remember the drives on the G73JW I had here had 03SDMI originally, and they updated to 05SDMI just fine. Ran fine as well, no noises or other weird issues. So what issue does avoiding 05SDMI address?

 

yep same here too
i've had the 03SDM1 and updated to 05SDM1
can i try updating to 04SDM1 ? and are there any differences
and how

 

You'll have to ask Dell. That's how their hotfix firmware update works. Because we don't have OEM dell drives, have to use that command to force flash. Normally the update will detect which firmware you have and update either to 4 or 5. That's all I know.

 

any ideas how to force the lenovo 0003LVM1 ?

Lenovo Support - Hard drive firmware update utility (Bootable CD ISO) - ThinkPad

 

The updater I posted didn't require forcing of anything. I just ran it from Windows, and viola! Then again, I got it from Seagate I believe.

 

Is it safe to use this on a Pavillion dv7? The firmware it has now is 0006HPM1.

At first I was like "no way there's a problem" but then I noticed the firmware it has now is bizzarely named. I suspect it's HP-only. But I still suspect it won't be a problem since the model number is identical and how different can it be in a generic standpoint?

Btw, I'm not sure what "click+beep" mean but I certainly get 4-5 second freezes during gaming. It goes back to normal then.

I have used very deep diagnostic but I fail to find something that is strictly software related. It appears hardware and close to hard disk related.

That's why google brought me here.

 

i am not sure about that
this is the list on what firmware you have it will update it

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/dell_fw_cfg.txt
so the first firmware is your current and the last one is the one that needs to be updated
example
mine was 0003SDM1 and i updated to 0004SDM1 (but you can update to 0005SDM1 too but looks like that won't be more compatible)

maybe you can force it but i don't know if it is worth it

 

HELP! I have tried updating from 0002SDM1 to 005SDM1 by the Windows program and booting and nothing works! My primary drive is an Intel X-25. Mine is running AHCI. Any idea what I'm doing wrong???

 

Nevermind! After more tinkering I finally got the boot method to work. What a PITA! It got fussy about finding the boot files outside the CD ROM folder, and I had to reformat the flash drive to FAT32. 'Still don't know why the Windows method was a no go, though...

 

what windows method
as far as i am concerned there is no windows method ... and even if it is don't change firmwares or bios through running windows !

always boot for safety measures

 

It's called the "Seagate Momentus XT Firmware SD25 Windows Installer" but like you said, it didn't work for me.