firmware for HP/Compaq BF1468A4CC

[cyberjunkie]

I just purchased one BF1468A4CC drive, new, and if i can get what i want i'll buy more, as i have the chance to get a few more.
The HD looks exactly like a Seagate Cheetah 15K.4 (ST3146854LC), but with an OEM firmware.
I found no way to update the firmware (CP008003.scexe). I don't have any HP system, and the firmware cd complains about it at boot. I can't do it inside Windows either, cause no upgradable components are found.
Any way to update the firmware manually, with a Linux or Dos utility?
Is there the choice to switch to performance mode, like with original Seagate drives, via SeaTools Enterprise or any HP utility?
Loading a Seagate firmware probably would be the final solution to my performance and compatibility problems... i'd like just to know if it can be done(i.e. if the two drives are really the same, or if the hardware has some subtle differences). I found too many horror stories about drives bricked after flashing a firmware that was supposedly compatible, but that in fact wasn't!
Last question:
which are the warranty and RMA procedures for HP/Compaq drives? With Seagate drives is as simple as entering the model and serial numbers on the right web page... but i couldn't find a satisfying answer after browsing lots of HP support pages.

cheers

CJ

[marsh_1]

hi,

have you looked at the library and tape tools here :-

http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ltt/index.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

HTH

[Frank Van Riet]

Hello,

Can you see what the current FW version nr. is? Should be HPB5, that's the latest for this drive.

But question i have : where are you going to install this in? These disks are only supported in HP MSA30, MSA500 or MSA1000 boxes or HP Servers...
Do you remove the hot plug tray? Then, do you have a SCSI card with a SCA connector???

And on top of that you need an HP Smart array controller or HP SCSI card to use the HP tools for managing FW updates or other stuff.

Library and Tape tools won't help, that is for tape drives/tape libraries, not disk drives.

Also, using the seagate tools will void any warranty you have...

Last but not least : as these disks are normally only sold with HP systems, they don't have a separate warranty or RMA procedure, they fall under the HP Server or storage warranty/repair procedures

regards,

Frank