PCB swap!

[giamma]

I am trying to recover an old hard disk IDE. Maxtor DiamondMax plus 8 40 GB
The owner unplugged the power source and then fault.
Someone tried to do something on the disk. But we don't know what...
I suspected damage on the PCB, so I bought the same disk and swapped the PCB.
First time In power on it. The disk did two/three beeps and moved the disk.
I see the disk on device magaer, but with no partition. I expect FAT32 or NTFS
What is possible to do?
thanks
giamma

[fzabkar]

Does the patient's PCB work on the donor HDD?

[giamma]

Yes IT works

[fzabkar]

Does the patient drive identify itself with the correct model number and capacity?

Can you retrieve its SMART report?

Can you see the contents of sector 0 with a disc editor (eg DMDE freeware)?

[giamma]

using hddscan I see the disk as maxtor N40P firmware 3g4z. But I can't click on the smart button.
using Crystaldiskinfo I can't analyze the disk.

[pcimage]

Sounds like a firmware failure. Overflowed G-list probably.

[giamma]

Hi, I tested HDDscan 3.3 with both PCB, but no SMART report.
On device manager, you can find:"disck 1, unknown not inizialized"
Try to do carving?
thanks

[giamma]

My guess is that the drive is suffering from a firmware problem as already mentioned.
It requires special tools and knowledge to fix, assuming the heads, spindle, etc are working and the problem is indeed just a typical firmware issue.
If you need the data from the drive seek assistence from a data recovery pro.

OK thanks all. Where is located the firmware? Not in the PCB I swapped?
bye

[fzabkar]

The firmware is in a reserved area on the platters.

See viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6562

[giamma]

ok thanks

[lcoughey]

I suggest you consider outsourcing this drive to forum member BlackST who is also located in Italy.

[giamma]

OK many thanks all

[giamma]

Thanks again for all answer. I will send the disk to an experienced structure. But I would like to know which is the best way to become a Jedi in disk recovery. Someone asked me 5000 euro (6700 $ USA) for five days training... I am not sure that worth!
thanks

[FrankITO]

Besides the training, you will need to buy special tools (around 10-40K dlls) and at least 2 or 3 years of practice, and after that time you may know "some" about the DR business. Honestly, the only training is nos enough.