Awhile back, my Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black HD stopped working and started causing a system freeze at startup.

The HD itself was fine, but the SATA data connector kept falling out of the slot while the machine was still on. Thinking this was my fault (unbeknownst to me, there's actually a big failure rate with cheap SATA connectors), I just kept trying to get it to stay in. Eventually, this constant dislocation fried the logic board. The platters still work, so I'm sure the problem lies with the board itself. As such, I just wanted to get a replacement and be done with it.

I called up Western Digital who was of absolutely no help whatsoever. Not only would they not provide me with a logic board, they wouldn't even provide me with the information necessary to match up with a replacement logic board--the lack of which has made my quest extremely difficult. Thus far, I haven't even been able to get Western Digital to acknowledge that the situation of the data connector destroying the HD goes outside the boundaries of a warranty. In which case, they would still refuse to flip the bill for data recovery.

Anyway, I've been scrambling to figure out what parts of the information on this drive I would need to make the switch, and I'm still not totally sure what I'd need to match up. This site tells me I need to match up the MDL number, the place of production, and the last five digits of the DCM. However, I called them up to see what they did to repair HDs and they did not make a good impression on me, so I don't really trust them at face value. Can anyone confirm that I need those three values?

Western Digital 1.0 TB SATA / 32MB CACHE WD1001FALS
S/N: ************
MDL: WD1001FALS - 00J7B0 <==================
WWN: 50014EE000B15357
DATE: 18 JUN 2008
DCM: HBRNNV2AB <====================
LBA: 1953525168 R/N : 701567
PRODUCT OF MALAYSIA <=======================
CANADA ICES - 003 CLASS B/
NMB - 003 CLASSE B

If not, could anyone please clarify on what needs to sync up? Also, does anyone know of a source or vendor that might deel in these sorts of specific parts? I'm having a hell of a time finding an online vendor who's be willing to verify such specific information before selling me the product.

No, it's NOT possible to simply replace a PCB on this (well, very very unlikely) due to adaptive information programmed into the ROM, which you need specialist equipment to re-manufacture that information and re-program a replacement PCB.

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PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

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Yes, people have been telling me this over and over again. But....I don't really buy it.

Prior to this SATA drive, I had successfully replaced logic boards on multiple IDE drives (ones that had the firmware most conveniently labeled on them).

I mean, is everyone trying to tell me that I just got really lucky in the past?

Either way, unlikely or no, could someone tell me what information I'd need to verify from drive to drive to best raise my odds?

No, you didnt just get lucky. on older drives adaptive information was often kept on platters while on many modern drives they're written in ROM at production. they are unique for this one hdd and crutial for it's operation. you can get a pcb compatible at hardware level but need to copy the rom from the patient pcb to donor. on many wd drives this is not a DIY anymore if the pcb isnt working because rom isnt a separate chip but integrated in mcu. if the pcb isnt working you need special tools to read out rom. you can post a picture of the dead pcb and let gurus help you whether this drive has a separate rom or not.

Thank you for the straight-forward answer. I tried getting that kind of information out of Western Digital, but none of their techs seemed capable or willing to explain why this instance of board failure was different from my past, more manageable, cases.

What angle would you need to see the PCB from to determine whether a ROM is present? Would I have to unscrew the PCB?

you don't need to unscrew the pcb. We can tell by the model number that its adaptive rom.

This is what happens when you try to help a guy who obviously knows more about the industry than the engineers in it!

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No

Is that over and over enough?

You CANNOT change the ROM yourself in this model, it's masked into the MCU itself.

On your own admission, you have been told, told and told again.

Please listen, at the moment it's straightforward job for a pro WITH THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT (and before you ask, $10k worth), so if you want your data then it's time to send it away, if not just RMA it.

Simples.

_________________
PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

Gimme a break. I did ask for clarification did I not?

Anywho, just to be clear: Since it's adaptive ROM, it's not "separate," and thus can't be replaced?

it can be replaced with the right equipment.

Fine. Thank you.



My admission was that people told me I couldn't do it. Not that they explained to me why I couldn't do it.

You explained it to me. Thank you.

You're welcome!

Sorry to appear harsh but you came over as a know-it-all with that post.

No offence intended.

_________________
PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

You're welcome!

Sorry to appear harsh but you came over as a know-it-all with that post.

No offence intended.

_________________
PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

I recently had a PSU fry everything in my system, including this hard drive "Western Digital 1.0 TB SATA / 32MB CACHE WD1001FALS" mentioned previously. Both of the TVS diodes are bad (on D3 and D4) and the VCM has three small pits in it. I am assuming this controller is bad and removing/replacing the diodes will not help. Correct? Are there any other tests I can do to see if the rest of the drive is okay?

It was very disappointing to hear that I cannot change the PCB myself. Does anyone know what the estimated cost of repair and/or data retrieval from this drive would be? What about some recommended companies? Do reputable power supply companies ever cover the cost of this or replacement parts? Will Western Digital honor an RMA request for this drive?

Thanks,

dmurry

Cost varies based on what you want accomplished, whether fixing the drive ( doubt that anybody is really interested in doing ONLY that) or recovering the data. Then, the cost will vary based on the exact failures the drive sustained, whether it is a problem only with the electronics or also other internal components. This can only be verified with certainty by performing an in-lab evaluation by a professional.
Lastly, the last factor affecting the cost is likely the speed of service you choose to get this recovered for you. The faster, then the more expensive.

No, power supply companies do not cover for costs when such failures occur.

If still under warranty, WD should provide RMA service for you. Can always check on their site on the warranty check link.

As far as reputable companies for data recovery, a good place to start with is WD's data recovery link for North America partners on the main website under support. See which DR company is closest to you, what they offer, etc.

Best wishes.

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Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD, SATA, NVMe, etc), USB Flash Drive and RAID Data Recovery Specialist in Massachusetts