Using Hitachi HD tool to change Seagate HD parameter. Is it safe?

Is it safe to use a software hard drive tool from one manufacturer to change the parameter of another hard drive from another manufacturer? I have Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB and I want to change the Automatic Acoustic Management. There doesn't seem to be any tool from Seagate that can change the AAM level. The only tool they have, the Seatools, only allow for testing the drive for damage but not for for changing the parameter.

But I found Hitachi Feature Tool and try to run it. It seems to detect the AAM of my drive and allow me to change it. But before I do this, I want to know if it is safe to do so.

 

Tried it. My 7200.3 started making noticeably louder noises afterwards. Still reported as healthy by SeaTools, but I would advise against it.

Not sure about the 7200.4, but the .3's don't support AAM, so it is really pointless to try, and may very well bork your drive.

 

You can change the AAM value with HD Tune or NHC as well. There was also a small app created by a user which changes the AAM Value. Try searching for it. Changing it through the Hitachi Tool should be fine as well....I don't think it'll screw up the drive in anyway..

One should always have a backup of their data though, and if anything goes wrong with the drive, manufacturer's warranty should help you get a replacement

 

I tried HD Tune Pro but the option for changing AAM is greyed out. NHC is kind of old so I don't feel comfortable using it for a new hard drive. The latest build of Hitachi Feature Tool is December 2008. Do you think that is new enough to change my Seagate HD that was released in Mid January 2009?

 

I don't have a 7200.4, so I can't say for sure. Try it out....You can confirm the change in PC Wizard.

I just tried it on my WD3200BJKT (128 to 254, and back to 128 ). It didn't burn or explode or anything.

 

Which software did you use to change the AAM?

 

That's what I was saying. It is not supported by the firmware in the .3's.

In short, I didn't change it, and no matter what you use, it won't change if it is not a changeable (read: supported, available, etc) feature. If it's grayed out in HDTune, then you are stuck.

Source: From hands-on experience within the last month...

Edit: Why is it that you are so insistent on changing AAM? Does your drive make a rather noticeably loud, repetitive tick while idling? If so, use QuietHDD to disable the APM. Set it up in the Startup folder in the Start menu so it autostarts, as it is a non-permanent change. Haven't figured out how to change it permanently, if it is even possible.

Seagate lied, as did all of their reviewers. The drives are great, fast, and quiet WHEN READ/WRITE. At rest, they are annoyingly talkative...from day one...

 

You should be able to use Hitachi feature tool to set the AAM values. I wouldnt use Hitachi tool to change sata parameters on a seagate or western digital, because you never know what will happen. AAM is standard among the drives, so Hitachi feature tool will be able to set the values on your seagate.

hdtune is probably a safer way, but I believe hdtune pro is the only one which can do it, and I believe it is only available as a trial unless you buy it. Hitachi feature tool is free

K-TRON

 

It's not that my HD is noisy. I actually want to disable it so my HD will run at its performance. My HD access time is 16.8 ms while I have seen benchmark from other members for the same HD shown as 16.1 ms. So may be changing the AAM would lower the access time.

And it is odd that the option for AAM is greyed out with HD Tune Pro but appear to be changeable with Hitachi Feature Tool.

I don't understand why Seagate doesn't make a similar tool like Hitachi to change their drive settings.

 

Quiet HDD has options for AAM, as well. Not sure if it makes a difference (works) or not, as I haven't run diagnostics both ways. Will do now...

Edit: Slight improvement as in .1 MB read/write, and .3 ms seek time at 254 setting versus 128. Tests run sequentially, all normal apps (AV, firewall, etc running)(no browser or extras).

Guess it does work. Google Quiet HDD, and don't use the first result. Use the third one, as the first two were reported by Avira to be trojans.

Third Edit: Safe link: http://download.chip.eu/en/quietHDD-1.5_4431144.html