looking for a WD donor drive

[JacquesBlom]

I am looking for a Western Digital donor drive exactly like the one pictured.

Problem with mine is that the PCB has blown to the extent that it causes a dead short. It was in an external enclosure which didn't switch on anymore. So I removed the drive and plugged it into my dock which then also doesn't switch on. So we tried it in a pc and the pc also does not switch on.

That leaves me with 2 options namely data recovery or a donor drive of which the pcb still works. Data recovery is actually not an option as the data on the drive does not warrant thousands of rands in cost.

 

[ponder]

You will also have to supply the pcb info I suspect.

Did you try removing the TVS diodes on the pcb out of curiosity?

 

[JacquesBlom]

Nope didn't try removing any diodes or other parts from it. Someone now told me on facebook that if I get a replacement board that I would have to transfer the bios chip over to the new board

 

[sajunky]

+1 what @ponder says.

 

[Swa]

Nope didn't try removing any diodes or other parts from it. Someone now told me on facebook that if I get a replacement board that I would have to transfer the bios chip over to the new board

Only if you want to recover the data. If not the drive will be used according to the new parameters.

 

[ArtyLoop]

Nope didn't try removing any diodes or other parts from it. Someone now told me on facebook that if I get a replacement board that I would have to transfer the bios chip over to the new board

The BOOT ROM yes, a small 8-pin FLASH memory.
Unfortunately I had a PCB for this exact drive, but that was early last year and I chucked it..

 

[JacquesBlom]

Only if you want to recover the data. If not the drive will be used according to the new parameters.

That the thing I do want to recover the data.

The BOOT ROM yes, a small 8-pin FLASH memory.
Unfortunately I had a PCB for this exact drive, but that was early last year and I chucked it..

I will check out that chip thanks. That is a pity but yeah one does tend to chuck things you don't have use for.

 

[sajunky]

Once again - I repeat - do what @ponder says.

 

[ArtyLoop]

You will also have to supply the pcb info I suspect.

Did you try removing the TVS diodes on the pcb out of curiosity?

Yup, the TVS diodes are likely what went short.. (sorry only read your post properly now)

 

[JacquesBlom]

AND there she works!!!! It WAS the TVS diode that failed. I googled it and investigated my drive and viola!!! Now to copy every thing off just in case. You guys are awesome! Thanks for the tip

 

[ponder]

AND there she works!!!! It WAS the TVS diode that failed. I googled it and investigated my drive and viola!!! Now to copy every thing off just in case. You guys are awesome! Thanks for the tip

Replace the tvs diodes now and drive should be good for future use, if you dont replace them you no longer have any protection and next time more damage would occur.

 

[Swa]

That the thing I do want to recover the data.

Oh sorry, by data recovery not being an option I thought you meant you don't care about the data. But glad to see you came right.

 

[sajunky]

Replace the tvs diodes now and drive should be good for future use, if you dont replace them you no longer have any protection and next time more damage would occur.

Once again, fully agreed.
@OP. You don't need to backup the drive, it is still in the same condition, but replacing a TVS diode should be your priority, don't miss that for your sake and don't delay.