Elevated Risk Alert Advisory for Apple MacBook
We notice an alarming amount of cases where a specific Seagate Momentus hard drive inside an Apple laptop crashes and causes data loss.
All hard drives have what we refer to as “Firmware” or system software that makes the drive operational. The firmware version is typically printed on the top label of the drive.
Firmware 7.01 and 3.CAE
Drives with firmware 7.01 and 3.CAE have been identified as being responsible for a large number of data recovery cases and should be treated like a time bomb.
Thanks to Duncan for reminding me which firmware it was that started with a 3. on the newer Macbooks.
Drives affected by this advisory are known to have platter damage failure, which makes them difficult or impossible to recover.
The drive is covered by Apple and Seagate warranty, however, your data is not covered.
Apple MacBook users are advised to replace the internal drive in that laptop as soon as possible to minimize exposure to this particular risk.
We can assist you in cloning the original disk. In most cases, the replacement drive will boot up same as your old one would.
I am not aware of major systematic problems with other Seagate drives shipped OEM in Apple Macbooks, so I still use Seagate laptop drives.
The “other” firmware problem with Seagate drives is 3.CAE. But we now avoid recommending ANY Seagate product.
Mine just died today on my 2007 macbook, and to note this is not the first seagate hd that died on me. Never buy ANY Seagate product.
So sad. I also have a 2007 Macbook with a Seagate 120 Gb firmware 3.CAE that just crashed. . . white screen and the harddrive just clicks. I’ve got an appointment with the local Apple techs Monday, but I doubt they can help. The Apple guy on the phone was very nice but even if I was under warranty, I doubt he cuold help and told me that they do not have a data recovery facility. Anyone know if this is for sure? I found several reputable places online for data recovery but all start at $695. My bad that I was dragging my heels about getting data backed up. Much of 2 years work probably lost. I hope Apple will warn people with Seagate 3.CAE drives in their purchase history to get frequent backups. My condolences to others who read this too late like myself. Fortunately real life doesn’t subsist in the law of entropy. I think I go home and kiss my wife and kids. Maybe take them out for icecream with friends . . .