Hitachi HDDs: Remove an unknown password

DISCLAIMER: BY FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NO ONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT CAN BE DONE TO THE HARD DRIVE OR OTHER DEVICES OR EQUIPMENT DURING THIS PROCEDURE.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PC AND ATOLA DISKSENSE 2 UNIT ARE PLUGGED VIA A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). PLEASE ALSO MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER PROGRAMS RUNNING. INTERRUPTION OF THE UNLOCKING PROCESS MAY RENDER THE HARD DRIVE INOPERABLE.

BEFORE YOU PROCEED WITH UNLOCKING, PLEASE LOOK THROUGH FOLLOWING INFORMATION. IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE PROVIDED INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED.

Password extraction on Hitachi SATA drives

Hitachi drives require the use of the Atola External IDE Adapter which is included in the product package.

The adapter plugs straight into the IDE (USB-C) port located on the left side of the DiskSense 2 unit.
Hitachi drive must be plugged into SATA port of the adapter.

2.5-inch SATA hard drives (HGST models)

The following actions can only be performed if your SATA drive is attached to DiskSense 2 unit via Atola External IDE Adapter.

1. Connect Atola External IDE Adapter to the IDE (USB-C) port located on the left side of DiskSense 2 unit.

2. Connect the source Hitachi HDD to Atola External IDE Adapter.

3. Place the hard drive as shown on the picture (no need to disconnect any cables):

4. Use a T4 screwdriver to remove four screws as shown below:

5. Put a piece of paper between the circuit board and the hard drive assembly:

6. Do not remove paper; proceed with unlocking.

7. Remove the paper and then put all screws back:

8. Continue with the unlocking process.

2.5-inch SATA hard drives (old models)

The following actions can only be performed if your SATA drive is attached to DiskSense 2 unit via Atola External IDE Adapter.

1. Connect Atola External IDE Adapter to the IDE (USB-C) port located on the left side of DiskSense 2 unit.

2. Connect the source Hitachi HDD to Atola External IDE Adapter.

3. Place the hard drive as shown on the picture (no need to disconnect any cables):

4. Use a T4 screwdriver to remove two screws as shown below:

5. Put a piece of paper between the circuit board and the hard drive assembly:

6. Do not remove paper; proceed with unlocking.

7. Remove the paper and then put all screws back:

8. Continue with the unlocking process.

3.5-inch SATA hard drives

The following actions can only be performed if your SATA drive is attached to DiskSense 2 unit via Atola External IDE Adapter.

1. Place the hard drive as shown on the picture (no need to disconnect any cables):

You may see the orange cable connected to the PCB being fastened by the latch.

2. Important: Power off the drive.

3. Unlock the latch as it is shown below:

4. Disconnect the cable.

5. Proceed following Atola Insight instructions.

6. Important: Power off the drive.

7. Plug the orange connector into the PCB socket and fasten it with the latch.

8. Follow Atola Insight instructions.

2.5-inch IDE hard drives

1. Connect your 2.5-inch IDE drive to the DiskSense 2 unit using the Atola External IDE Adapter:

2.5-inch IDE drive connection via Atola External IDE Adapter

2. Install a jumper between pins A and C (on the adapter).

3. Attach the hard drive back to the DiskSense 2 unit and proceed with unlocking.

4. Remove the jumper:

5. Plug the hard drive back to the DiskSense 2 unit and continue with unlocking.

3.5-inch IDE hard drives

1. Connect your 3.5-inch IDE drive to the DiskSense 2 unit using the Atola External IDE Adapter:

3.5-inch IDE drive connection via Atola External IDE Adapter

2. Install a jumper between pins A and C (on the adapter).

3. Attach the hard drive back to the DiskSense 2 unit and proceed with unlocking.

4. Remove the jumper:

5. Plug the hard drive back to the DiskSense 2 unit and continue with unlocking.