hdd dead need help

South_Bit,

Not sure if you want to answer this question (you can decline seeing as you make money that way) but how do you go about recovering data from a drive with that kind of failure?
 
Gnome said:
South_Bit,

Not sure if you want to answer this question (you can decline seeing as you make money that way) but how do you go about recovering data from a drive with that kind of failure?
Click to expand...

I'll give it a shot. First you need to find a working donor PCB, next you have to transfer the info in the EEPROM/flash from the faulty PCB to donor PCB so it matches up with the firmware on the platters. Each drive is different from the next one in the production process and the ROM is programmed accordingly.

You need expensive kit to do this, things like PC-3000 etc.

Go dig around here http://forum.hddguru.com/, lots of ****s there though :D
 
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Ponder's given you a good idea of what's involved. Sourcing a compatible board, adapting it to the new drive as each one holds adaptive info and a small portion of firmware unique to each drive. This data is sometimes stored on an IC on the PCB, other times it is embedded into the MCU. Horribly expensive equipment is used to transfer this across.
 
South_Bit said:
Horribly expensive equipment is used to transfer this across.
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So you had to buy this equipment or do you generally just solder the important bits onto a new PCB?

Either way, I wouldn't even try attempt this if I couldn't afford to lose the data.
 
Gnome said:
So you had to buy this equipment or do you generally just solder the important bits onto a new PCB?

Either way, I wouldn't even try attempt this if I couldn't afford to lose the data.
Click to expand...

We've got all the industry leading data recovery equipment, many different tools for different types of failures. With PCBs you're talking about SMD technology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-mount_technology) so unfortunately it can't be done with a soldering iron and a steady hand. Well possibly I suppose, but not if you want to do it properly.

PCB failures account for a very low portion of recoveries anyway, maybe 10% at a rough guess. Most failures are due to failed heads; firmware issues; jammed motor spindles; heavy bad sectors etc.
 
essop1@gp said:
then i connected the original drive to my pc andit doesnt power up, in fact when its connected to my pc the entire pc does even power on untik i unplug that drive,
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Sorry, I didn't read it properly, first time. Would you consider to take this drive to some friend with electronic background? Your hard drive have a short circuit, it trips PC power supply.

Hard drives have a small protection devices against voltage spikes, called TVS. I suspect this element failed. You need to inspect PC board, frequently replacing blown TVS returns hard drive to life.
 
sajunky said:
Sorry, I didn't read it properly, first time. Would you consider to take this drive to some friend with electronic background? Your hard drive have a short circuit, it trips PC power supply.

Hard drives have a small protection devices against voltage spikes, called TVS. I suspect this element failed. You need to inspect PC board, frequently replacing blown TVS returns hard drive to life.
Click to expand...

No worries, I found that weird and i work with pc's every single day.

I would definitely consider that if possible, do you know someone who would be able to have a look for me, that would be great.

You know whats the depressing thing about all this, first obviously the info on the driver but secondly the replacement value, i paid R568 for this external drive, now the drive alone is just about R1000.
 
Not sure you want to save data or hard drive. If it is TVS case, you might be lucky to get both drive and data. If there is more damages, you need data recovery.

If you are in JHB area and willing to travel to my place near Diepsloot, I can check PCB and replace TVS at no charge.
 
sajunky said:
Not sure you want to save data or hard drive. If it is TVS case, you might be lucky to get both drive and data. If there is more damages, you need data recovery.

If you are in JHB area and willing to travel to my place near Diepsloot, I can check PCB and replace TVS at no charge.
Click to expand...

At this point the drive, but if i can get some info off that wouldnt be too bad.
I also stay near Diepsloot but on the PTA side, i stay in Erasmia next to Laudium, i don't mind driving that way at all, i drive passed Diepsloot everyday to work and back. Just PM me your details please.
I really appreciate your help.
 
Thanks to sajunky my HDD is back and working like a dream, turns out the TVS was shorting out, TVS replaced with another and all is fine again and hopefully for a vrey long time.

Thanks again
 
Diagnosis was truly professional, re-soldering not much. Glad , nothing more was destroyed. :)

One question you raised, not sure I answered correctly:

What is correct procedure connecting external drive to avoid such failure in future? It is a cheap case without power switch.

Power supply unit to the wall socket first, or
Barrel plug to the enclosure first?

One think for sure USB cable to computer should be the last, USB standard allows it.
 
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