I think they are actually just completely dead, when i plug them in to the BT router and go to the Router set up page, it isn't showing as plugged in to the ethernet port of the router, is that normal with no firmware, I would assume it has to actually see them for me to do that firmware update you linked to ?
Also if i just bought a 220DE, could i put the drives in that, format them with teh firmware, then put them in to the 220D and it would work ?