UK->Information (dark) Age

[Paul Ashton]

dparkins@alien.bt.co.uk said:
> At 20:37 25/08/98 +0100, Ben Laurie wrote: 
> >David Parkinson wrote:
> >> This is the ATA Version(?) specification.  The drive will not
> >> spin-up and deliver data until the correct password is passed
> >...
> >Well, if your description is correct ("won't spin up...") then clearly
> >it isn't on the platter.
> 
> Alright...badly phrased I'll admit.  I believe some drives store
> local control/configuration/firmware(?) on their platters -
> perfectly possible these days where the physical make up of the
> disk is shielded from us by intelligent drive electronics.

I think it's more likely to be in some flash/EPROM code in the disk 
electronics. After previously upgrading a Connor disk with a firmware 
upgrade (scary thought), I'd imagine that's were they'd put it.

I'm awaiting the first disk drive virus/backdoor with anticipation, 
especially now Flash BIOS viruses are out.

... and now back to your regularly scheduled Ukcrypo conference.

Paul