HDD GURU FORUMS

Hello guys.
I have a problem with an Hard Disk that failed... after being connected to a wrong power supply (please do not twist the knife)!

This HD was contained in a WD MyBook, so I extracted the HD and went to e-Bay and looked for another HD with the same code.
After swapping the PCBs, the old, damaged hard disk started spinning (with my relief) but the OS bootup was infinitely long. After the system booted, I tried to go to the (Windows Vista Ultimate 32) disk management but the system stuck.
Should be noted that the BIOS actually SEES the Hard Disk.
I tried booting on Ubuntu but same thing, the OS isn't able to access it.

Here are a couple of scans of the old damaged disk I uploaded on Flickr (if you need me to put them here I can do it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtoscan/se ... 758192718/

Here instead, is a set of scans of the HD I got from e-Bay.
Can you recognize what could be the problem with the HD I bought?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtoscan/se ... 758171040/
My guess would be the (T81/T72 numbers impressed on the PCB but I am not sure they refer to the firrmware).

I need gurus HELP!!!

Hi

These drives have unique adaptive info programmed into the ROM on the PCB.

Worse still, the ROM is masked inside the main processor chip.

You need specialist equipment to either read out the old ROM info, or rebuild a new ROM from the data held within the SA (Service Area) on the platters themselves.

Either way, I'm afraid to say you DO need pro help on this one.

There is nothing about T81/T72.

Agree with pcimage

You need pro who have specialist equipment to help you to re-write Rom info.

Ouch!
Actually I have used the PCB swap trick a few times and it always went fine... for once that I try to do it for myself I cannot do anything...

I was wondering if I could supply a 1 Tb disk to the data recovery center for moving all the old data into. I don't really want to have to read 50 DVDs or worse yet just a part of the old data, I really want it all.
This is going to cost me at least 800 euros i guess...
Also the disk contains sensible data, can I trust these companies for discretion?

We would not be long in this business if we cannot guarantee confidentiality
Only if we find child porn we have to report that, but otherwise all your data, pictures, films etc ... should be safe.

Dobre

Oh my of course nothing of that aberration in my hd!
What about the HD and cost questions?
I live in Italy.... shipping the HD abroad might be dangerous even with good padding, however...

Yes, in older drives the "PCB swap trick" works OK, but not in these newer drives that require adaptive info due to the track density etc

Good idea to supply another 1Tb disk.

€800 is too much for what "should" be a relatively simple job.

If you're willing to ship to UK I can do it at a more sensible price, and your data would be 100% private.

PM or email if interested.

Pensa te, io invece sono in Italia...
Il vecchio PCB spero non lo abbia ne' buttato ne' toccato...
Prova a contattarmi in PM (messaggio privato).
Saluti.

Oh look... I'm in ITALY, INSTEAD...
Hope you didn't touch the original PCB neither tried anything on it.
Try contacting me in PM (private message).
Regards.

Hey, BlackSt is a pro in your country. He will give you an honest quote for the job. Try him first!!!

You don't have to worry about shipping it out of Italy!!! If you do, send it to me with some good Italian Food!!!!

Eheh not an easy task actually, much of what is produced in my region tends to rot quickly outside of a refrigerator. But could be done with some salami or cheese

Or seasoned Parmesan, ham, wine... How much food to trade in for DR?

Mmmmm that would be tempting.
Russian members might trade vodka and caviar it depends on which you find most tempting
There is of course the good old bubki or cash

Russia.... mmmmm.... BLINI ... VODKA...

Good old homemade Italian food for a few days is tempting...
God homemade pickled olive in a gallon jag would be tempting, too... I can eat that all day long but can't find it at the store here.

Eitherway, the custom won't let me get the food past the inbound custom's inspection.

This is a detail of the other side of the damaged PCB I have removed (note the upper right chip ).

Yep, burnt motor chip for sure.

May or may not have damaged the preamp inside the drive.

You need pro help to reprogram a new PCB to get the data off.

... IF and only IF the preamp is not damaged. In that case need to change headstack too and face a lot of problems....

How can one guess the preamp is damaged... when i tried replacing the PCB the hd was spinning regularly, and the correct size was detected by the BIOS, if the headstack was damaged I guess something weird would have happened (or maybe nothing would have happened at all).

You still need the proper tools to reprogram the donor PCB so that it works with the failed drive. Purchase the proper tools or send it to a profesional. This post has gone on way too long...

Is BlackST Dead?
He's not answering any PM messages since 1 week, if somebody has his email can please forward it to me?
(PS sorry if I prolonged the thread but I really need to get in touch with him)