Can't restore drive after using it for smart hotswap

[300ddr]

I used a WD20EARS-0MVWB0 to smart hot swap a similar drive (it worked, that's done). The problem I'm having (and often have after smart hotswap -- moving all patient tracks to donor) is restoring the drive back to it's default state. I always just try writing all the service tracks back to the drive, but it often either doesn't finish or gets too slow to finish, like writing 1 track every 10 hours.

With this current drive, I tried writing it's original backup tracks back. It took about 20 hours to move them all back (at first was fast, then got slower towards the end). Now the drive comes ready with no ID and no SA copy available:

Techno mode key
Techno mode key......................... : Ok

RAM:
HDD Info reading........................ : Ok
Heads number............................ : 6
Cyl Count............................... : 256

Zone allocation table................... : HDDs RAM reading error - Device Error Detected: "VSCE PERM OVL NOT LOADED. LDR Upload is recomended"

ROM:
ROM reading............................. : Ok
ROM Data size........................... : 256 Kb
ROM version............................. : 22.00E
ROM generation.......................... : 22.00E
Link table version...................... : 0B.36.
Consolidated ROM version................ : 00220000

ROM Modules:
Flash ROM dir reading................... : Ok
Flash ROM dir (ext) reading............. : Ok (Active)
Modules directory address............... : 377 654 (24)
SA regions address...................... : by default
Heads configuration..................... : by map
Heads number............................ : 6
Heads number in use..................... : 6
Switched off heads...................... : No
Heads map............................... : 0,1,2,5,6,7
ROM Firmware version.................... : 00220000

Service area:
SA dir reading (ID)..................... : Ok
SA Access............................... : NONE

Configuration reading................... : No SA copy avalabled
---

Trying to write tracks says I need a Loader. I've tried every loader in DB (including the original loader for this drive and the patient drive), but all give some error and do not work.

What else can I try?

What is the proper procedure to restore donor tracks back to donor so its working again after smart hotswap?

Thanks!

[300ddr]

This is the error I get when trying to use original drive's loader or the patient drive's loader:

LDR Uploading Error Device Error Detected: "Unknown Error" Error Code 0101"

*I see this error often when trying loaders and would love to know what Error Code 0101 is. This especially seems to happen on drives where I think the loader should work (where firmware versions are the same).

[drdoc]

I have the same issues.
rewrite the tracks back but the drive still wont work.
I am unsure which method should be used
by head
by id?

[300ddr]

I always write the tracks back the same way: back to the same head it came from. Perhaps we should just be writing back to both heads? Glad to know it's not just me with this problem

[lcoughey]

I don't know if this will help. But, are you booting the parts drive with its original PCB & ROM, then writing the tracks? I have found this to work in a few cases when things didn't work as they normally do. So, boot with the original PCB & ROM into Normal mode, then write the tracks. I think there is a fairly detailed process by Yarek on the DeepSpar forum for ROYL smart hot swaps that might have the answer you are looking for.

I must admit, I'm very surprised at how inactive this forum is compared to the DeepSpar forum. But, you will find that ACE support over skype/msn is very helpful.

[300ddr]

Thanks lcoughey -- I follow the Yarek instructions when doing the hot swap. But, no instructions are provided for returning the donor back to it's good original state.

I have tried with the OG PCB + ROM and with patient PCB + ROM. On this one, after hot swap finished, I started with patient PCB + ROM (since the drive IDs and gets "Ready" because it has patient tracks). Then I just wrote all original donor tracks back. After finished writing, put back original donor PCB + ROM and no ID.

It's very strange: smart hot swap by writing all tracks always works the first time (to fix the bad drive), but usually not the second time (to restore donor).

Next time I'll try using original donor PCB + ROM before writing donor tracks back to the hard drive. Thanks for the suggestion! *Also, I'll have to get Skype and try out support on that (I'm mainly an e-mail guy, but I'll give it a shot if more responsive).