Question NCQ Question

[tech3300]

We have a couple dozen servers at work running CCTV systems that use raid controllers, and all have raid5 arrays. Besides a few Seagate array, most of them are all using the same wd3000fyyz-01ul1b1 drives with 01.01KX1 firmware.

The latest drives I bought from the same seller are the same model, but a different firmware - 01.04Q.2. They will not build into any of the controller arrays I tested due to queuing being needed. Apparently, in these new drives I bought, the NCQ features is not enabled two test software's and my controller's error log.

Looking into NCQ, I don't see an easy way to turn it on. It appears that this is done at the factory the firmware. Is there a way to enable this feature?

 

[COLGeek]

Have you reached out to Seagate on this? Their NCQ FAQ seems to indicate you can't enable. I suspect this would also void the warranty if you did it somehow.

Serial ATA (SATA) Native Command Queuing FAQs | Support Seagate US

Frequently asked questions for Serial-Attached SCSI drives, including information on performance, specifications, and model families.

www.seagate.com

 

[tech3300]

These are WD drives. And oddly enough, from what I've read from WD, the wd3000-fyyz should support NCQ. There data sheet for this drive says it's supported.

These drives, though brand new to me, have been sitting around on sellers shelves for a while. Checking warranty status, they all expired around 2019. Though, I will give them a call first thing and see if they can provide any information.

Wd3000fyyz datasheet

 

[COLGeek]

Braincramp on my part! Was helping in a Seagate thread and the notion got stuck.

Knowing the age and warranty status (previously assumed new), I would be more inclined to try flashing them.

Still, you are correct. WD says NCQ is already there. I wonder if the issue is different firmware versions.

 

[tech3300]

That's my line of thinking as well, something in this 0104Q2 firmware that has it disabled.

 

[COLGeek]

That's my line of thinking as well, something in this 0104Q2 firmware that has it disabled.

What's the best way to go about flashing WD?

I was just reading some of the WD FAQs. They don't offer firmware tools to consumers, but may for corporate users (I am guessing). Not seeing an easy "fix" yet.

For example: https://support-en.wd.com/app/answe...-western-digital-internal-and-external-drives

 

[COLGeek]

And then there is this: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/wd_universal_firmware_updater.html

 

[fzabkar]

Those older drives may have supported the Device Configuration Overlay (DCO) command. This command enables/disables various feature sets. Perhaps the NCQ feature set is one of these?

You could use HDAT2 to dump/edit the DCO. If you try one of your WD drives, I may be able to determine which firmware module is involved.

 

[tech3300]

Thanks for the reply fzabkar. I have not used HDAT2 before, but i have the page pulled up. Is it a windows utility, or a DOS boot program?

 

[fzabkar]

"The transfer you requested has been deleted."

In any case you should be dumping the SA modules. These are located in a reserved area on the platters. Your log suggests that you dumped the ROM on the PCB.

That said, I think HDAT2 may be your easiest and best option. It is a DOS program. You can run it from a bootable flash drive. Depending on the motherboard, you may need to enable legacy or IDE mode for your SATA controller in BIOS.

See your thread at HDD Guru for more details.