24 Jan
2016
24 Jan
'16
4:57 a.m.
On Sun, 24 Jan 2016, Maciej W. Rozycki wrote:
"Note: Previous ATA specifications were unclear
about the error conditions
that this command may indicate. Some implementations do not indicate any
errors for this command even when the command fails. However, most of
these implementations do fail media access commands if a valid CHS
translation is not in effect."
-- which is (the latter sentence, that is) obviously what you've been
observing with your WD drive.
Furthermore:
"Note: Some ATA-1 devices require that this command be issued prior to
media access."
Maciej