DriveLock feature in Harddisk

dstefan wrote:

I'm not sure that unlocking an XBOX drive is the same as a laptop drive. I know they are the same but the security is not.

The security is the same, its a feature of the ATA standard is implemented in the hard disc firmware. In the abscence of a software solution for this problem, perhaps changing the controller card on the drive for another identical - unlocked/password protected one is the answer? I dunno - I give up…..

Andy

Hi All;

Just a quick note, the software outlined at xbox-scene is only gateway coded, you still need the actual password to unlock with them. They have no way of actually retrieving unknown passwords.

(You must retrieve the "User Password" from the eeprom prior to using their software)

Try replacing the drive back into the laptop and, and booting with a safe boot disk (EnCase – either the basic DOS disk or the network one). Then image the drive in its native environment, across a network/cross over cable. The lock might be one that prevents the drive being used elsewhere. If you have already tried this then apologies but you don’t say so in your post.

This method is slow, but one that I think will work. Give it a try.

I don't think the drivelock feature of ATA drive technolgy is a massive secret, you can find some examples with Google. I found this which is a method for unlocking an Xbox HDD with drivelock in place. Try this link: http://www.xbox-scene.com/tools/tools.php?page=harddrive
There are a coupe of interesting downloads for unlocking software/turorials. I don't know if they work, I have not tested them - use at your own risk.

If you need to send the drive away, best practice for submitting to an ‘outside’ agency, I suggest is auditable continuity of the item. So it can be proved that no unauthorised accesses have taken place and no tampering inferred. Use a registered currier, officer or yourself to hand deliver it if possible. And make sure it is sealed in a tamper proof forensic bag, with a seal number.

Andy

I know this is an old post but I found a way to get the "DriveLock" removed from ATA drives and it involves using a modded Xbox.
If anyone is interested - post reply.
T

Yeah, always interested.

Ok.
I had a Maxtor 80g drive which a friend didn't need anymore and tried using it in a compaq Evo D510 as the original had failed.
When I placed the drive in the compaq and fired it up it came up with "Drivelock password" and wouldn't let me access the drive or install XP etc. No matter what I did I couldn't get past this to see the drive etc.
After reading a few threads whereby people could put these into modded Xboxs I thought I would give it a try.
Found it in this thread - http//www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Q_20423260.html
Although initially it was refering to the HDD from the original Xbox it does talk about backing up the configuration of the drive and getting the password that way but this didn;t need to happen for me to get the drive unlocked.
What I did was place the drive in my Xbox (which is modded with the DuoX2 chip) and ran an Xbox boot disk in order for Avalaunch to read the first parts of the disk, it then allowed me under "Main Settings" "HDD Tools" to simply select the "Disable" option under Drive Security.
Once I did this I was able to see information on the disk etc and install XP..

Not sure on how this all worked together in order for me to unlock it - as I keep questioning the ability of the Xbox chip and Avalaunch s/w to read such info…

I will keep researching it until I find exactly how this could have happened until something makes sense…

T

tonster could you clarify something for me please. Did you definitely see the information on the disk after unlocking it via the xbox boot disk, or did you install XP straight away?

That's a really good point - because my whole purpose was to get XP installed I never really checked if the data was their but the partitions where… ie it showed 4 partitions and then in the XP install I blew them away… posible the data was missing…..
I plan to get a test drive and do the same in the next few weeks as I want to follow the same process to see if it can be done again
In reading a few other threads it seems 2 levels of Drivelock can exist…..
T

I've done a bit of research on the xbox method but I'm no expert and I'm still reading up. A friend of mine is pretty adept at modding xboxes and he knows all about drive locking in the context of swapping drives in xbox consoles, but I think these have to be in an unlocked state to begin with. Anyway this isn't an xbox modding forum and he's away in sunnier climes so I cant ask him.

I know of one method that lets you remove the password by secure erasing the entire drive which lets you reuse it but obviously erases the previously contained data, this command is one of the commands in the security set of the ATA-4, 5, and 6 specification. Good for resurrecting drives with forgotten passwords but not good for accessing the original data.

If you manage to do any testing then please post your results, I'll do a bit more research in the meantime and then we can both bang our heads against a brick wall!

Hi all ..I know this is an old topic but I'm still trying to find a way to unlock the locked drives that I have. I know there are companies that do it for you but i don't care about the data. I just want to do it for the challenge of it. I have tried just about every program out there and none have worked.
I have also modded many xboxes and tried that method too with no luck.

I'm sure you guys already found this page on the net but it sounded too good to pass. They claim their "software" will unlock drives.

Check this link
http//www.hdd-tools.com/products/rrs/

Overview
Repair Station is, in fact, the fastest and cheapest data recovery service today. Repair Station allows you to diagnose and repair hard disk drive's system area problems, and to remove passwords from drives locked with an ATA-password (security level HIGH or MAXIMUM).

If they can actually do it then at the very least it proves that it's possible and not so much of a holy grail after all.

I have also modded many xboxes and tried that method too with no luck.

So in your experience none of the Xbox tools or methods work?