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[Iam74Gibson]

Hi everyone, I will apologize ahead of time if I just couldn't find the answer to these questions, but it seems all the tuts I read ultimately say "except for 79". And believe me, I have been trying every search combo I can think of.
Anyway, I am/was trying to mod my 79FK using Maximus' 79passkey. I was able to get the blue light, and see the drive in Windows. (modeB) I tried to run C4EVA_XTRM-HITACHI_v2_4_Stealth, before realizing it didn't have 79fk firmware (or at least it didn't want to work). After reading up on this, I downloaded the latest toolbox and tried. Toolbox requires you to put in a game or dvd. I still had the cover off, so I powered down and put the cover on so I could put in a game.

Then it all went downhill...

After hooking it back up and unsuccesfully trying to get it to show up in Windows, I took the cover back off. I saw that the flat cable connector I had used with the 79 passkey had broken loose.
When I tried to resolder, I broke the top off of a small component next to the pads (not sure what this is, but I dn't have any spare parts). So needless to say, while it may be repairable, it is dead for the moment.

I am asking for suggestions on what my best options are. I have sent a PM to one of the more popular  forum contributors to get prices on repair. But while I am waiting, was looking at the tuts on new drive replacement.

The good news is...I have my WAS.BIN from my dead drive. I think this is what I need to replace it...right?
If so, should I replace it with another Hitachi (I could keep the old one for parts) Samsung, or Benq?

HERE IS THE BIG QUESTION...If I flash with my 79FK key, does it have to be another 79FK, and DO I HAVE TO SOLDER THE PASSKEY AGAIN :-(  to flash to a modified firmware? (this was the answer I couldn't find anywhere)

Thanks In Advance!

[XboxHazE]

QUOTE

HERE IS THE BIG QUESTION...If I flash with my 79FK key, does it have to be another 79FK, and DO I HAVE TO SOLDER THE PASSKEY AGAIN :-( to flash to a modified firmware? (this was the answer I couldn't find anywhere)

No it does not have to be another 79fk.  But if you use another fk then you will have to solder in a passkey to flash the original key into.  

If you use another drive...Samsung or Benq then not only will you have to inject your original key, you will have to spoof them to "look like" the 79fk.

Very simple to do.

[Iam74Gibson]

Thanks for the reply. So, is the WAS.BIN what I need if I get a new drive?

[XboxHazE]

Don't think so.  Did you ever get the drive to raw dump in firmware toolbox?  If so, it ask you for a name to call it.  Did you name it "was"?

You can open the "was.bin" in firmware toolbox to see what it says.  It will tell you the drive type and show you the key.

[Iam74Gibson]

It never prompted me for a name when I tried to flash it. It just created the folder with the number I assigned (flash17s.bat F 1112) and created 2 files....was.bin (256kb) and key.bin (1kb) . I tried to read it with the latest FW toolbox and it says 'firmware version not supported or not a valid firmware file" Maybe because it failed it didn't completely write the file. I guess my best option at this point is to try to find a dead hitachi cheap for spare parts. Thanks for your help.

[Tron[ADS]]

Without that key, you're knackered, as you already know. I would say your best option at this time is to look in the other "79" threads recently and find someone offering the key extraction service from the chip. Remove the circuit board from your drive and post it off to them (with their pre-arranged fee). Order yourself a Samsung MS28 from Ebay, and await your key being emailed to you. I suggest an MS28 as they are quite happy being flashed, and reflashed multiple times (in the event you get your spoofing wrong).