Tableau has identified a problem with TIM versions 1.0 and 1.1 in which images are created with corrupt .e01 chunk offset arrays when multiple jobs are scheduled using the "Immediate" scheduling option and the "EnCase .e01" file format. Users will receive errors when attempting to process these images for analysis. Specifically, EnCase will display CRC errors, and FTK will display decompression errors.

This problem only occurs when using the specific combination of imaging options noted above, and when running more than one job simultaneously. Also, please note that the corruption which occurs is limited to the offset arrays within the .e01 file set; the compressed sector data from the source drive is not affected.

All TIM users are advised to upgrade to TIM v1.11 or later to avoid this problem.

Tableau has identified a problem with the T10, T14, and T345 forensic bridges which can cause these bridges to mis-read data from older IDE hard disks which support only UDMA (Ultra DMA) modes 0, 1, and 2. When this problem occurs, data read from the subject hard disk may be corrupted. In most situations, this makes the subject hard disk appear to be unpartitioned.

NOTE: This problem would not occur with hard disks which support UDMA mode 3/later or with hard disks which support only DMA and PIO modes. Likewise, no such problems have been observed with Tableau's Classic Family of forensic bridges, including the T5.

Tableau recommends that all T10, T14, and T345 users update their firmware to v3.33 or later.

There is a POTENTIALLY SERIOUS bug in T15 firmware with date codes prior to Sep 07 2005. If you have removed the plastic knock-out panel on a T15 and attempted to switch the unit into read-write mode (DIP switch 1 on the T15), the T15 does switch into read-write mode, but the "WrBlk" LED remains illuminated. For users who have removed the plastic knock-out panel on the T15 it is especially important to apply this Tableau Firmware Update.

All T15 units shipped as of this writing have been read-only units shipped in black plastic cases; and the knock-out plastic panel (which, when removed, provides access to the internal DIP switches on the T15) is always in place as shipped by the factory. This includes T15 units sold as "FireFly(tm) SATA" by Digital Intelligence. As shipped by the factory, the "WrBlk" LED on these units is illuminated, correctly indicating that the unit is in read-only mode.

Tableau believes only a handful of T15 users - those who have removed the plastic knock-out panel and attempted to switch T15 units into read-write mode - will be affected by this problem. Further, Tableau believes that most, if not all, of these users have or will notice that the WrBlk LED incorrectly remains illuminated after turning DIP switch 1 to the ON position, and that these users have or will contact Tableau or its distributors for assistance.

Nonetheless, Tableau encourages all T15 customers to apply this firmware update.

NOTE: Tableau has verified that other Tableau products, including the T3, T3u, T4, T5, T8, T10, T14, and T345 are not affected by this problem.

Tableau has released v2.0 of the Tableau Firmware Update to address problems created by Microsoft's release of SP2 (Service Pack 2) for Windows XP.

Microsoft's SP2 update for Windows XP includes 1394/FireWire drivers which incorrectly handle 1394B/FireWire800 devices such as Tableau's line of forensic bridges. Users who install Windows XP SP2 may notice a severe reduction in data transfer performance when using 1394/FireWire to connect Tableau bridges to the host computer.

Tableau has implemented a firmware "workaround" for the errors in Microsoft's Windows XP SP2 1394/FireWire drivers, allowing users to continue to take full advantage of the high performance of which Tableau's forensic bridges are capable.

Tableau has identified a bug in the firmware of the T4 FireWire800+USB2.0 SCSI bridge which causes the T4 to report a disk size which is one sector shorter than the actual length of the hard disk. All T4 users should download and install the Tableau Firmware Update to correct this bug.

For your convenience, Tableau has prepared a PDF Product Bulletin which describes this bug in more detail.

While the T3/T3u SATA bridges and T5 IDE bridge do not have this bug, users of these products may also find the Tableau Firmware Update to be useful.