FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

King Kesender Mini


General
Q1: What is the Kesender's (Hardware) advantage over software?
Q2: Does the Kesender work with any ATA hard drives?
Q3: Does the Kesender work with any S-ATA interface hard drives?
Q4: What options are available?
Q5: Can I log Erase operations for reporting purposes?
Q6: Can I test a HDD completely without changing any HDD data?
Q7: Can the Kesender unlock ATA passwords on a HDD?
Q8: How often will new firmware be released?
Q9: How fast is the Kesender?
Q10: What is the Clip function?
Q11: Can you tell me about the compare function?
Q12: What is the warranty?
Q13: What does the Kesender do best?
Q14: Is the 110V internal power unit convertible?
Q15: What is the fastest way to screen and repair the drives from SKY + TV boxes?
Q16: What is the differences between the King Kesender Mini and the Kesender?
Q17: Can the Kesender erase SMART logs?


Operation
Q1: How do I operate the Kesender?
Q2: How do I repair an HDD?
Q3: What is the fastest way to test an HDD?
Q4: What about repairing "Track 0" problems on my HDD?
Q5: What is a "STATUS ERROR"?
Q6: How can I run a Kesender self check?
Q7: What can I do if the Kesender finds a bad sector at track0?
Q8: Can the Kesender repair Maxtor Athena?
Q9: Can the Kesender backup from Maxtor 30GB, which PCs cannot recognize?
Q10: Can the Kesender fix a Seagate 40GB HDD with bad sectors?
Q11: Problem: PC recognizes a Quantum 10GB but cannot format the drive and makes a ticking sound.
Q12: What is "Abort" when doing a SMART check?
Q13: SMART check runs successfully but running the Test and Repair function leads to a "Selection" Error. Why?
Q14: Do you have any advice for Hard Drives with uncorrectable errors?
Q15: I used 9[Test & Repair], then I got an ABORT messages. What does this mean?

Q1: What is the Kesender's (Hardware) advantage over software?
The Kesender directly accesses a HDD's physical sectors with Raw Level ATA commands, so the user is basically overriding the PC system. First of all, this increases the functional speed since ATA native interface speed is utilized. (Also, users do NOT have to turn the PC ON/OFF) Second, it is made in a small, portable size and is very simple to use. Third, many customers report that software does not work well on CHS addressing PIO mode hard drives. Some software/PC combinations may perform such jobs, but if you are looking for professional quality and performance ..look no further.
Q2: Does the Kesender work with any ATA hard drives?
Yes, since Kesender directly accesses physical sectors, any ATA hard drive will work (unlike software), CHS addressing and PIO transfer mode hard drives are also accessible.
Q3: Does the Kesender work with any S-ATA interface hard drives?
Yes, the Kesender will handle SATA HDDs using the optional adapter.
Q4: What options are available?
There are 2.5, 1.8 inch hard drive adapters as well as an SATA converter option. Please ask us for other available options.
Q5: Can I log Erase operations for reporting purposes?
Yes. The Data Logger (optional) will store all erase operations in CSV files to the PC memory card for printable reports.
Q6: Can I test a HDD completely without changing any HDD data?
Yes. If you are having doubts about a HDD, you can test it without changing any data by running [C;One Cycle Test].
Q7: Can the Kesender unlock ATA passwords on a HDD?
NO, the Kesender cannot perform this function. However we offer a separate product called the "HDD ROCK" for this task. This equipment is designed to Lock and Unlock a HDD. Please read the detailed information provided about this product:
Shinobi
Q8: How often will new firmware be released?
We upgrade our firmware anytime we develop new useful functions for our customers. Currently we upgrade every 5 months. Customers receive 1 year of free upgrades from the date of purchase. We encourage our customers to provide input about new developments so that we can best suit the industry's needs.
Q9: How fast is the Kesender?
-31sec/GB for WD 40GB 3.5" ATA 100 (7000RPM) WD Caviar factory prototype.

-67sec/GB for Hitachi 10GB 2.5" Laptop drive #DK23A-10 for [0:Erase].

This specs depend largely on the speed of the given HDD, 3.5"-7000RPM and ATA 1000 HDDs should get around 35 sec/GB.

*note: Laptop HDDs as well as out-dated HDDs are generally slow. When running [9:test & repair], the function will become slower once the target HDD has experienced multiple bad sectors.
Q10: What is the Clip function?
The Clip function is used to set HDD capacity to any specified size. The Clip function is also use to mask bad sectors for recycling HDDs if our [9: Test&Repair] does NOT work. (Remember that HDDs that have failed the #9 function may not have much life left...). Here are three examples of common Clip function use:
  • HDDs from TIVO or Music Devices sometimes come with clip capacity. The Kesender can cancel this clip, maximizing the HDD size.
  • After [9: Test&Repair] failure, press and hold the [SEL] button for 4 seconds. The following error page will provide the MB location and last found error sector. (E.G. 11200MB then Clip this HDD to adjust to 11000MB).
  • Owner wants to restrict storage space for computer user, so he or she clips the HDD to specified size. (E.G. PC has originally 80GB, but only allow 10GB usage of the HDD).
Q11: Can you tell me about the compare function?
  • If the HDD is successfully erased but the Compare test fails, the problem could possibly be fixed by performing [9: Test&Repair].
  • If [9: Test&Repair] fails, then the HDD is BAD.
*note: Set the compare data (HEX) equally to the data that was last over-written (erased) on HDD. To set the compare data (HEX),
  • Press [Start] and [Sel] buttons simultaneously.
  • Enter the [Initialize] menu and set HEX data to your erasing data.
Compare works as a part of erase function in that;
  • If bad sectors are found, the function will retry to overwrite 3 times and skip or repair the bad sectors.
  • If the sectors are not repairable and are skipped, the Kesender will remember the location of the bad sectors.
  • When running the Compare function (based on the memory of skipped bad sectors) the Kesender will skip the bad sectors during the Compare Erase function and will repair them during the Write Procedures. So, only WRITE ERROR sectors will be repaired, NOT READ ERROR sectors.

*This is why you might want to perform [Test&Repair] to make sure both READ/WRITE errors are repaired.
Q12: What is the warranty?
12 months. Overseas customers are required to pay for the return shipping fee. YEC International will pay for outgoing shipping fees.
Q13: What does the Kesender do best?
The Kesender works best in situations where:
  • The HDD cannot be formatted.
  • The HDD may have bad sectors.
  • The HDD is not recognized by laptop.

*The Kesender will NOT fix any mechanical problems. For example, Hard Drives that are noisy or fail to spin..
Q14: Is the 110V internal power unit convertible?
Yes, the Kesender can switch automatically from 110V to 240V operation and back.
Q15: What is the fastest way to screen and repair the drives from SKY + TV boxes?
  • Perform SMART check. This will eliminate 60~70% of non repairable HDDs.
  • Perform [Test&Repair]. This will fully check the HDD and fix it (if possible).
Q16: What is the differences between the King Kesender Mini and the Kesender?
  • SPEED:
    The King Kesender Mini is 2 times faster: 150MB/sec MAX.
  • Interface:
    The King Kesender Mini has ATA/IDE, SCSI native VS. Kesender is ATA/IDE native. SATA is optional in both (plug-in adapters).
  • Log Function:
    We provide special software for the King Kesender Mini that allows it to log all items performed in text as well as CSV file. The user can also create certificate for each drive erased: DOD/NSA/HIPPA standard.
  • Advanced HDD test functions:
    With the provided software, the King Kesender Mini can measure many HDD characteristics such as transfer speeds, HDD ready time duration, ECC error correction analysis. It is also able to send any ATA raw level commands to connect HDD with provided script languages.
Q17: Can the Kesender erase SMART logs?
No.
ATA/ID uses vendor unique commands allowing the user to perform PGD clean as well as SMART clean. However, these functions are vendor unique and we do not support all of the commands. Second, experience has taught us that problems tend to return even after the SMART system has been cleaned. For SCSI drives, there is a way to clean the defect list, but we experience very similar problems.

Operation


Q1: How do I operate the Kesender?
Simply place the hard drive on the top of the Kesender and connect the DC power cable and interface cable. Then power on the Kesender and select one of the 15 operations to start. (E.g. REPAIR, ALL WRITE TEST, ONE CYCLE TEST) Once completed, LCD and LED will signal the end of the operation. You do NOT need a PC or any software to perform HDD Test/Repair/Erase with the Kesender. No extra equipment is required.
Q2: How do I repair an HDD?
*The Kesender is fast enough to repair over 20 hard drives in an 8 hours shift.
  • Perform [9. test and repair] for entire HDD --This will test the HDD and (if bad sectors are found) attempt to reassign/skip the bad sectors including servo data.
  • Perform [A. all write test] for first 500MB of HDD -- this will erase HDD(MBR) as a final test.
  • If HDD still fails the [9. test and repair], then it is NOT repairable.
  • By pressing and holding [SEL] for 3 second, user can find the location of incorrectible bad sectors by MB
  • Use this information to clip the HDD for smaller size using [E.clip (manual)]
    (e.g. if an uncorrectable bad sector is 2,301MB in size, manually clip HHD to 2,300MB)
  • Clipping will have produced a smaller size HDD that is ready to use!
Q3: What is the fastest way to test an HDD?
If the HDD is SMART capable, perform [6: SMART check]. This takes only 10 seconds and device will provide and overall evaluation of the HDD. If HDD is NOT SMART compatible, use [C: One Cycle Test] or [9: Test & Repair]
Q4: What about repairing "Track 0" problems on my HDD?
If the bad sector is re-assignable. The Kesender can repair bad sectors regardless of location. (not possible with software).
Q5: What is a "STATUS ERROR"?
  • The Kesender sends commands to HDD and HDD accepts (*Kesender and HDD are communicating each other successfully).
  • HDD communicates to the Kesender that it does NOT want to perform any commands from the Kesender due to the status of the HDD itself (Status of HDD is not ready).
  • One example of a Status Error is that the HDD has a password locked and can NOT accept any command. There may be some other reasons why the HDD status is ready.
Q6: How can I run a Kesender self check?
Please perform the following to self check the unit. (**Connect known-good-HDD to Kesender)
  • Press/hold both [Start] and [SEL] buttons to enter the .
  • Press [SEL] to go<2:SYSTEM TEST>.
  • Press [START] for Kesender self test.
  • If GREEN LED indicates OK, then Kesender has passed inspection.
  • If RED LED - NG indicates, please e-mail the ERROR code (message) to YEC International . Also e-mail me the ERROR message during the operation (Repair) and provide the firmware version.
Q7: What can I do if the Kesender finds a bad sector at track0?
-ABORT error means that the Kesender is communicating with the HDD, but the HDD has rejected all ATA commands.

-Perform [SMART CHECK] to the HDD and see whether the error returns. If [SMART CHECK] passes, you must download the latest HDD firmware to the HDD, and then try to fix again.

*Sometimes ABORT is caused by password lock. In this case, the Kesender cannot do anything unless the password is unlocked.
Q8: Can the Kesender repair Maxtor Athena?
Maxtor Athena should work with the Kesender. However, these drives Maxtor DX541 family: models 2B020H1 (20GB), 2B015H1 (15GB), and 2B010H1 (10GB) have bad firmware that don't recognize the management area of the HDD. This requires installment of the latest available firmware from the manufacture.
Q9: Can the Kesender backup from Maxtor 30GB, which PCs cannot recognize?
The Kesender will NOT backup or restore data from a HDD in this case. The Kesender may recognize a HDD via low level ATA command. This cannot even be recognized by PC bios..
Q10: Can the Kesender fix a Seagate 40GB HDD with bad sectors?
Yes, any HDD brand can be repaired.
Q11: Problem: PC recognizes a Quantum 10GB but cannot format the drive and makes a ticking sound.
The Kesender will NOT fix this HDD because it is experiencing mechanical problems.
Q12: What is "Abort" when doing a SMART check?
"Abort" means that the HDD and Kesender have established communication; however, the HDD is sending the error message "Abort", meaning the command that the Kesender has sent to the HDD is not recognized. In this case, the HDD may be too old to have a SMART feature.
Q13: SMART check runs successfully but running the Test and Repair function leads to a "Selection" Error. Why?
The "Selection" Error message means that the Kesender and HDD can NOT establish communication. This means that the HDD is not responding to any initializing commands from the Kesender.
Q14: Do you have any advice for Hard Drives with uncorrectable errors?
If a HDD has uncorrectable errors then the Kesender has established communication. However, there are bad sector in the HDD that cannot be repaired. Each HDD has an ECC (Error Correction Code) algorithm that is used to fix bad sectors. After the ECC is applied, the HDD checks the data consistency and fails in CRC check. Then the HDD communicates to the Kesender that it has an "Uncorrectable Error".
Q15: I used 9[Test & Repair], then I got an ABORT messages. What does this mean?
In this particular situation, ABORT means that you have successfully established the connection between the Kesender and HDD. However, the HDD had responded with the [ABORT] command when the Kesender issued a device command. There are normally two reasons for this:
  • The HDD is password locked.
  • There is data corruption in the HDD management area/Platter (Good Control PCB Board). To see if the HDD is experiencing problem (1), perform the [SMART TEST] and see whether the result comes back as PASS, FAIL or another error.