Fried Hard drive

M

Magnum

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Hi all. Today I lost a WD red 4TB Hard drive controller PCB.
Can someone point me to where I might find an identical DOA, and where I can try and replace my dead pcb along with my controller IC in an attempt to revive my new HDD?

Thanks.
 
I remember DJ's external with laptop charger mishap and Southbit explicitly said controller boards can't be replaced. I will pm him if he still uses this site.

Thanks MD. That was fast.
20150224_205339.jpg

20150224_205428.jpg
 
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Magnum said:
I remember DJ's external with laptop charger mishap and Southbit explicitly said controller boards can't be replaced.
Click to expand...

That's not entirely true. You can't replace the controller board directly, but you do need an identical "donor board" to be able to access the data on the drive or use it again. I believe the original board will still be required, as a certain chip containing important info about the drive needs to be transferred to the donor board.

All in all a very expensive operation, and only worthwhile if it's the actual data on the drive you're after.
 
If the original PCB is damaged (and nothing else, like preamp on heads) then what is required is a compatible donor PCB as well as migrating the ROM info from patient to donor PCB. Recently we've found that PCBs are damaged from load shedding, but it's not just PCB related as the preamp is also toast and the drive requires a headswap and PCB replacement.
 
SouthBit said:
If the original PCB is damaged (and nothing else, like preamp on heads) then what is required is a compatible donor PCB as well as migrating the ROM info from patient to donor PCB. Recently we've found that PCBs are damaged from load shedding, but it's not just PCB related as the preamp is also toast and the drive requires a headswap and PCB replacement.
Click to expand...

Like the PM I sent you can you maybe source a donor board and assist me with the ROM swop.
I can solder delicate SMD components so I am sure I do have the technical ability to swop over the PCB.

The power source was inverted due to a cheap fan coupling plug. the fans were running and Led's was working. When I plugged in the hard drive into the docking station it caught fire. Lost a NZXT fan controller as well.:mad:

I did google the replacement boards as well. The BIOS chip is situated next to the SATA connertor port.
Don't know about the head controller.
 
bekdik said:
If this is a new drive, why not claim under warranty?
Click to expand...

I doubt That would work as I do not grind suppliers for my mistakes. I would really love to fix my drive.
Also I think the damage is a bit conspicuous.
 
If you want to do this yourself it'll be easiest for you to order off eBay and then swap the ROM IC yourself. Match the PCB rev it will start with 2060-xxx-xxx and get one shipped. If it was a major failure like that though, I have a feeling your preamp might be gone as well.
 
SouthBit said:
If you want to do this yourself it'll be easiest for you to order off eBay and then swap the ROM IC yourself. Match the PCB rev it will start with 2060-xxx-xxx and get one shipped. If it was a major failure like that though, I have a feeling your preamp might be gone as well.
Click to expand...

Pre amp replacement procedure?
 
Magnum said:
Pre amp replacement procedure?
Click to expand...

Pre amp is located on the head stack assembly so you would probably have to swap that out as well if it's dead.

Stolen from SouthBit's site :p.
Hard-drive-preamp.jpg

If you need the data send it off to them, once you start opening things it gets tricky and could potentially get worse...
 
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Oh for heaven's sake....If my day is not bad enough yet!!!

I know my limitations and what I can do safely. Pre amp no WAY!. Not without extensive training from Southbit. Need an extremely steady hand for that.
 
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Magnum said:
I doubt That would work as I do not grind suppliers for my mistakes. I would really love to fix my drive.
Also I think the damage is a bit conspicuous.
Click to expand...

Then bypass the suppliers and go directly to the re-distributors which are in Midrand, Pinnacle.
 
Aina dude, I think you're gonna have to give up on this drive... Will be WAAAY too expensive to repair compared to getting a new one. Send to SouthBit if you want the data, that's the definition of "non user repairable"
 
If you don't need the data & it's still under warranty why don't you try returning it to the supplier? If that fails try an insurance claim.
 
Somewhere there must be a raid drive that has head damage or shock damage with the same revision PCB I can use for a donor.
There must be one somewhere!
 
Preamp is unfortunately not something you swap out, you have to swap out the entire head assembly :(

I can organise the PCB for you from overseas if need be, will be around R800ish though.
 
SouthBit said:
Preamp is unfortunately not something you swap out, you have to swap out the entire head assembly :(

I can organise the PCB for you from overseas if need be, will be around R800ish though.
Click to expand...

I understand what you do, and why you are expensive. This is why only corporate customers use data recovery specialists.
Every person here will say buy a new drive. and weighing up R800 for a PCB still needing to have a BIOS transferred without knowing if it was damaged even and then still a whole new head assembly is a very costly risk. in total the assessed cost would be in the region of 50% of a new 4TB HDD. Then only it will be a repaired drive.
I can only have reduced faith in its ability to provide flawless service.

:cry:

I need a main supplier that would be willing to give me a second hand mechanically damaged HDD.
Paying for the parts is too expensive. I Know you have to run a business, But in south africa it is just not viable.

Thank you SouthBit.
 
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