Hi Nr3,
We have made several attempts to install new firmware on the drive you sent us, but it is simply not possible. We have shipped your product back to you. It should arrive on Monday, Oct. 13.
Your engineering sample had pre-production firmware that was never intended to be updated. That is why the firmware update you tried failed and left the drive unusable.
It is truly unfortunate that you are in this position.
Hopefully you were informed that you were buying an engineering sample when you purchased the product. If that is not the case then we suggest that you take whatever action you feel appropriate with your place of purchase.