View source for ATATool

{{DISPLAYTITLE:ATATool}}
{{Infobox software
| name                   = ATATool
| logo                   =
| screenshot             = ATAToolScreenshot1.1.0.15.png
| caption                = ATATool for Windows
| author                 =
| developer              =
| released               =
| latest release version = 1.4.0.138
| latest release date    = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2022|1|14}}
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date    =
| programming language   = [[C (programming language)|C]]
| operating system       = [[Windows]]
| platform               =
| language               = [[English language|English]]
| genre                  = [[Freeware]]
| license                = [[Copyright]]
| website                = https://www.datasynergy.co.uk/products/misc/atatool.aspx
}}
'''ATATool''' is freeware software that is used to display and modify [[SATA|ATA]] disk information from a Microsoft Windows environment.<ref name="datahidingbook" /> The software is typically used to manage [[host protected area]] (HPA) and [[device configuration overlay]] (DCO) features and is broadly similar to the [[hdparm]] for [[Linux]]. The software can also be used to generate and sometimes repair [[bad sector]]s. Recent versions include support for DCO restore and freeze operations, HPA security (password) operations and simulated bad sectors.<ref name="datasynergy" /> ATATool is no longer available for personal download and can only be used for "professional users" like for security researchers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PowerMAN PC Power Management Software from Data Synergy |url=https://www.datasynergy.co.uk/products/misc/atatool.aspx |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=www.datasynergy.co.uk}}</ref>
== Usage examples ==
ATATool must be run with administrator privileges. On [[Windows Vista]] and later it requires an elevated-privileges command prompt (see [[User Account Control]]). The target drive must be connected to a physical disk controller. The software will not work when using a hard drive through an external connection like [[USB]] or any external hard drive.
Display detected Hard Drives:
ATATOOL /LIST
Display information on Hard Drive 1:
ATATOOL /INFO \\.\PhysicalDrive1
Set a volatile HPA of 50GB on Hard Drive 1 (HPA will be lost after a power cycle):
ATATOOL /SETHPA:50GB \\.\PhysicalDrive1
Set a permanent HPA of 50GB on Hard Drive 1 (HPA will still stay after power cycles):
ATATOOL /NONVOLATILEHPA /SETHPA:50GB \\.\PhysicalDrive1
Remove permanent HPA on Hard Drive 1:
ATATOOL /NONVOLATILEHPA /RESETHPA \\.\PhysicalDrive1
Set DCO to 100GB on Hard Drive 1:
ATATOOL /SETDCO:100GB \\.\PhysicalDrive1
Remove DCO of 100GB on Hard Drive 1:
ATATOOL /RESTOREDCO:100GB \\.\PhysicalDrive1
Make sector 5 bad:
ATATOOL /BADECC:5 \\.\PhysicalDrive1
Make sector 5 not bad:
ATATOOL /FIXECC:5 \\.\PhysicalDrive1
Make sector 10 bad and then not bad again (alternative method):
ATATOOL /BADECCLONG:10 \\.\PhysicalDrive1
ATATOOL /FIXECCLONG:10 \\.\PhysicalDrive1
==Warning==
Useing ATATool can permanently change the disk configuration, may result in permanent data loss by making some sectors of the disk inaccessible. Please use ATATool at your own risk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.datasynergy.co.uk/products/misc/atatool.aspx|title=PowerMAN PC Power Management Software from Data Synergy|accessdate=3 February 2017}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[hdparm]]
* [[Host protected area]] (HPA)
* [[Device configuration overlay]] (DCO)
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="datahidingbook">{{cite book |last1=Hassan |first1=Nihad Ahmad |last2=Hijazi |first2=Rami |date=2017 |title=Data Hiding Techniques in Windows OS: A Practical Approach to Investigation}}</ref>
<ref name="datasynergy">{{cite web|title=ATATool – Data Synergy Windows HPA/DCO Utility|url=http://www.datasynergy.co.uk/products/atatool|author=Data Synergy UK|date=July 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
==External links==
* [http://www.datasynergy.co.uk/products/misc/atatool.aspx ATATool]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Device Configuration Overlay}}
[[Category:AT Attachment]]
[[Category:Computer forensics]]
{{Windows-software-stub}}