hdd disaster

R

robdutchmonkey

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2008
Messages
467
Reaction score
1
Location
Alberton JHB
Howzit guys

I have a major problem. While installing a 2TB full of data the sata cable pulled off the "L" shaped piece of plastic holding the data pins. Now the hdd just has the pins sticking out and I need to recover the data :( any suggestions
 
It should still be able to make the connection without the pice of plastic, just make sure none of the pins are bent. If it doesn't connect the first time, try binding the pins down(in the direction of the PCB) but only slightly, connect the cable at an angle to ensure the pins go in and make a connection when you straighten plug.

If all else fails you have the option of contacting a local data recovery expert. I also once read that it is possible to buy the same model HDD and replace the old pcb with the one from the new HDD, but that's a lot of trouble if the drives contents can be replaced.
 
I had one of these a few months ago. I was able to (very carefully) put the broken L piece back in place and then connected a sata cable, and hot-glued the entire connection in place.

So far so good!
 
Ipwn 4 said:
If all else fails you have the option of contacting a local data recovery expert. I also once read that it is possible to buy the same model HDD and replace the old pcb with the one from the new HDD, but that's a lot of trouble if the drives contents can be replaced.
Click to expand...

You cannot just attach another PCB, each PCB is adapted to the drive it was manufactured with. Spinning up a drive with a non-native PCB will a) not work and b) possibly corrupt the firmware on the drive.

Any of the data recovery places in JHB can do this job for you, but will probably charge you a few grand. You're welcome to send the PCB to me and we can adapt a new, replacement PCB for you at a better price.
 
Why can't you just replace the connector? Just find someone that can solder properly / does it for a living.
 
South_Bit said:
You cannot just attach another PCB, each PCB is adapted to the drive it was manufactured with. Spinning up a drive with a non-native PCB will a) not work and b) possibly corrupt the firmware on the drive.
.
Click to expand...

Actually, you can. As long as it's the same HDD size & model number. I've been doing it for years and never had issues. And, I save "a few grand" more then a few times by doing so.

@robdutchmonkey which HDD is it exactly (make & model number), and can you send us a pic of the PCB? I'm pretty sure I could solder it for you, or anyone close-by with some soldering skills could do it as well. Alternatively get another identical drive and swap the PCB's out.
 
I can't get an identical drive, it's rare here since it's a hitachi

101_2618.jpg


101_2620.jpg


101_2621.jpg
 
Oh I expected far worse tbh

Source the connector off another drive and solder it on if you have a steady hand. I Wouldn't use it permanently,but as a stopgap it's viable
 
P924 said:
Why can't you just replace the connector? Just find someone that can solder properly / does it for a living.
Click to expand...

This is the easiest option. The pins are part of the connector. Would be a 5min job for someone with a stable hand.
 
Jaaa solder a cord on there plenty place ,,,nice pins to solder on to
 
If all you did was break the connector and can supply donor connectors then I can help you out.
 
The PIN which is broken is the GROUND PIN and in theory it should work fine without it since PIN's 1 & 7 are GROUND PIN's as well. Did you try and boot it up? I know IDE HDD's wold work fine with a broken GROUND PIN.
 
This ^^

You could also cut a sata cable and solder it directly to the pads on the PCB as someone else suggested.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X