PC-3000 HDD Data Recovery Advanced Training



This advanced training course focuses on providing skills and specialized knowledge for recovering data from the wide-spread SEAGATE F3 drives. The latest research has demonstrated that recovering data from a SEAGATE F3 drive is not easy – it is time consuming and specific knowledge is required to find an appropriate solution for most difficult cases. That is why deep knowledge of Seagate is a crucial point for successful recovery.

What you get
  • Top-notch skills and insights about Seagate drives
  • Deeper knowledge about tips and tricks of Data Extractor
  • Official ACE Lab Data Recovery certification
  • Useful handouts!

Course Details

$8,400

Course Code: AT-PC3-ADV-HDD

Duration: 3 Days

Laptop Required: Yes

This class is open to all forensic professionals.

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Day 1 Highlights
The first day is devoted to learning about SEAGATE F3 HDD architecture. The disk structure and principles of operations are fully analyzed.


Day 2 and 3 Highlights
Seagate F3 HDD issues are presented, including root cause analysis. Attendees review complicated and tricky cases and learn methods how to solve them using the latest version of the PC-3000. Methods are demonstrated in practice exercises. These day will be also devoted to your questions about real HDD recovery cases.

Course Content

  • HDD boot sequence from power-up to complete readiness. Terminal modes (ESLIP, Online, Diag) and their availability during various boot.
  • Firmware structure and arrangement. Groups of system files (vol 0, 3, 5…).
  • Monitoring of system files loading progress in a drive. Methods for identification of corrupted System Files using terminal commands (CtrlR, CtrlX, T>y) and by utility automatically detected information.
  • Media Cache. Definition, influence on drive operation, typical problems and their solutions.
  • Registry system file.
  • Saved Mode Pages system file.
  • 3.93, 3.17A, 3.346, 3.181, and 3.182 system files – their influence on HDD boot sequence, availability of technological mode commands, typical problems and their solutions.
  • The “No Host PhysReadyStatus Flags” status.
  • HDD firmware overlays. Loader (definition, creation, usage).
  • Translator and its influence on HDD boot sequence and operation.
  • Work with defect lists (Servo Flaws list, TA list, P-List, Non resident G-list, Alt-list).

  • Translator restoration methods. Automatic and manual solutions of translation problems. Structures of involved objects, typical corruptions, opportunities for quick restoration in case of partial corruption.
  • Necessary changes in drive configuration. HDD ID editing on SA surface and in RAM. Alt-List integrity analysis, the necessity and acceptability of clearing the DOS tables and SMART.
  • “Utility actions” for Data Extractor.
  • Physical HDD damage. Corresponding symptoms and recognition methods.
  • HDD controller damage cases. Searching for a controller donor. Damaged magnetic heads. Detection, methods of HDD start using isolation of damaged heads. Selecting a head donor.
  • HotSwap. Theoretical background of the process, methods of HotSwap donor preparation.
  • Drives with locked factory mode. Description and unlocking methods.
  • The procedure of the read channel short circuiting to obtain access to the terminal of hung drives.

Only users with sufficient knowledge of the PC-3000 are admitted to this course. Attendees will need to have already completed the Expert HDD course at the ACE Lab Training Centre and/or have significant experience in HDD data recovery. Attendees are welcome to bring their own Seagate HDD they are unable to restore on their own. Laptops will be provided at the course location.



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