Subject hard drive quit on me, mid computer use. Upon reboot it was making the attached noise - some sort of soft clicking pattern 6 times, then 2 times .. then repeat. BIOS will not find the drive.

I removed the PCB and saw some oxidation but no obvious signs of anything fried. Used a soft white eraser to buff off oxidation as a Hail Mary - but no luck.

HD details: MDL: WD500AAKS-00A7B2; NUMBER ON BOARD: 2060-701590-000 REV A; NUMBERS ON WHITE BAR CODE STICKER: 2061-701590-L00 01P, XC 7G04 1P1F L 0003170, 9173

Here is a link to my horrible attempt to capture the sound the thing makes: http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=060 ... 9971635495

So ... should I try the PCB swap (with chip reprogramming) for ~$100 ... or does this sound like a head problem, requiring the full monty?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Listening to sounds aren't the proper method to diagnose a drive like this. It needs to go to a pro. You could always try the PCB + Rom swap, but may loose $100 in the process.

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$300 Data Recovery - Los Angeles Data Recovery

Sounds like a head problem (without actually listening to the recording).

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After listening to the sound now (it's very difficult to make out exactly what sounds the drive is making), I'd have to agree with Jono-ats, it sounds like a head problem (though could be a "weak" and not "bad" head).

But could also be firmware or PCB problem. But it's all speculation without a real diagnosis.

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$300 Data Recovery - Los Angeles Data Recovery

heads most likely =( BTW call Jono at data savers. U might be surprised.