HITACHI 40Gb not detected by BIOS

[solo watanabe]

Hi all,
i am newbie here. So please, be patient.

I have an Hitachi HTS424040M9AT00 40Gb. It was working properly and stop working suddenly when i connected it to an external IDE to USB connector for virus cleaning.

The BIOS doesnt recognize any disk. I have connected it to another computer but still nothing.

Windows says it has an external USB Mass Storage, but it doesnt appear in disk administration window.

I have also plugged it into MAC, LINUX.

In Linux i can see it detect also an usb mass storage unit, (sdc) but messages file shows:

localhost kernel: usb 1-1: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
ocalhost kernel: usb 1-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
localhost kernel: Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
localhost kernel: scsi1 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
localhost kernel: usbcore: registered new driver usb-storage
localhost kernel: USB Mass Storage support registered.
localhost kernel: Vendor: Model: Rev:
localhost kernel: Type: Direct-Access ANSI SCSI revision: 02
localhost kernel: sd 1:0:0:0: Attached scsi disk sdc
localhost kernel: sd 1:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg2 type 0


Any suggestion?

Many thanks in advance.

[beto]

Tried to plug u hard drive on a 2.5" to IDE adapter, using MHDD or HDDSCAN , and check if hdd reach readiness " DRDY DSC" If is So, tried to get the "ID " , check if its fully detected, from this way we are working with the "low level language" directly sending ATA commands, bypassing INT13h check answer to the read commands " & check ATA registers answer, u can tried tod did a full scan of all sectors to know whats wrong, write all ATA registers answers, UNC,IDNF; AMNF etc

Thats the 1´s to start

Regards

[tacos40]

Hi there,

Please write it down the model, p/n, MLC, etc you can find on the label of that HD. This will be useful info for anyone here to help you.

The most important: you should already know the most important thing is to recover important data, not to recover the disk itself...

Can you make a description on how the HD sounds? For example, a simple reference of 'it sounds as always' or... 'Now, it sounds scratchy or clunk, clunk' would be helpful.

BTW, I'm searching this forum exactly for the same HD model, belonging to a friend. In my case, I know it's a physical damage (head stack), so I'm beginning to search for a 'donor' (hey, Im in Spain )

I've recovered data in other cases, so I know what I'm speaking about. but I'm pretty sure here are some real experts that can help you.

I'll be online a bit later.

[solo watanabe]

Thanks for your answers.

beto, i had tried with MHDD, but it cant find any hard disk
As it is connected by USB, i tried with Magic_Boot_Disk_ISO_v2.0.

taco, the sound of the disk is planar. It just sounds like the motor is running, but nothing else. No rare sounds. Just the vibration of the motor spining. It doenst sound like if its trying to read something. Just the vibration. The hdd data: Model HTS424040M9AT00; P/N: 0A25722; MLC: DA1091;


Many thanks.

[beto]

Can u tried to record sound on a mp3 file to analyze it, some seconds, and post it here ?

[tacos40]

Hi there

I'm gonna test Magic_Boot_Disk_ISO_v2.0 in my HD (Usbaspi.sys powered), ensuring that USB is enabled under DOS in the BIOS . That's a hint for you, despite the fact MHDD wouldn't use BIOS for sending ATA commands, etc, as far as I can understand.

If it doesn't work, then I'll do what beto suggested: NOT to use USB, but connect 40GB HD directly to Mobo IDE bus via an adapter (fortunately, in my case I have one).

Think of your USB adapter

[solo watanabe]

Hi,
I am sure Magic_Boot_Disk_ISO_v2 is working fine, as i´ve tested it with another ide disk, and the soft recognizes it without problems.

Regarding to record the sound, as it is like a whisper, i will look for a small, dark, and lonely room to record this sound.

Thanks!

[tacos40]

Hi there,

As you know, I'm testing another 40GB unit, same model. My USB device is recognized by Magic Boot Disk v2, but the HD doesn't reach the READY condition, and the 'id' command shows that [unready] condition. I'm afraid these are bad times for HTS424040M9AT00 owners (in my case, same MLC: DA1091, but different P/N: 13G1132, made in Thailand, Nov/05).

Beto:

Is this unready condition a symptom of PCB malfunction? (e.g: firmware / NVRAM, SA's)

What other MHDD commands can be used to grasp more information?

Would MHDD be 'more informative' if HD is directly connected to IDE bus, instead of USB?

In my case, the HD sound is similar to http://datacent.com/hard_drive_sounds.php in the case of "Hitachi/IBM laptop drive with bad heads making clicking sound", but less intense and more frequency. I think it's just because the head just goes the first sectors the go back and forth from the parking ramp.

Thanks in advance for any hint.

[solo watanabe]

Hi there
tacos, i have tested the software with the hd connected to the ide bus, and the same. It doesnt recognize it.

Saludos.

[tacos40]

Hi there...

I've found a link where I can hear a sound very similar to my case (video .MOV, 3MB inside). The text description seem s to match our respective cases: BIOS doesn't recognize our HD's, etc.

URL1 = http://www.dataclinic.co.uk/data-recove ... roblem.htm (video inside)

URL2 = http://www.dataclinic.co.uk/data-recove ... drives.htm

I hope it can help for further diagnosis or HDDguru experts assistance.

BTW, I'm searching whether TVS diode (PCB) shortcircuit could be an electronic cause of HTS424040M9AT00 malfunction or not, i.e. if that protective diode exists in this PCB and if it could be removed.

WARN: This would mean hardware tampering, and hence, last last last resource procedure.

[pepe]

As the website states this kind of sound is most often caused by head problems. There's nothing to do with TVS.
If the data is important, I would suggest taking the drive to a pro, since U have high chance of screwing the drive up with lack of experience and tools.

pepe

[solo watanabe]

Hi all
It seems taking the hdd to a pro will be the best choice.

I will feedback with the results.

Many thanks to everybody for your help.

[tacos40]

Hi all

Ok, I wont mess with imaginary TVS diodes ; however, I'd be happy if that were the problem

In my case the data is not that important, as stated by the hdd owner, my friend At least, not as important as 700 euros...! the price a pro company offered him (he's gradually recovering his data from other sources).

So he accepted my (free) offer, at the risk of eventually losing the disk (no problem, really). It's just a challenge for me, being aware chances are very low. I'd be happy having a salvationDATA kit, but some youtube videos and lot of browsing will be my resources.

There's a chance I can find a donor for free in my company.

Thank you all.

[tacos40]

Hi all,

Just in case some bold technician flies over this thread looking for hints on how to DIY, I leave a couple of instructive URL's with images, that I condider useful for cases like the one I have in my hands (Hitachi 40GB Travelstar, clicking noise, bad head stack):

URL1 = practical view = http://www.freewebs.com/bgotchall/index.htm (Hard drive platter transplant surgery for dummies)

URL2 = Expert view = Scott A. Moulton = http://www.myharddrivedied.com/presenta ... paper.html (THE guide)

In my case, sequence:

1) The data is not that important, but worth to try a DIY, self-training data recovery
2) Other software method have failed (stellar, getdataback, mhdd, ...)
3) The symptoms (clicking noise) suggested a likely bad head stack
4) Bold phase start. Disk open. Long story short =
4.1) Platter reveals damage in negative cylinders, upper side.
4.2) There is something loose !! black and small = the bottom head

Next step: Await for my friend returning from vacations (it's clear I'm his friend ). My proposal for him will be: Look for a hard disk, same model, MLC, date, etc on EBAY; it's a bet around 30-50 dollars, and I'll try the head swap with this donor.

BTW: In this HD, it's a bit easier to swap (single) platter AND pcb (of course ) , instead of swapping the head stack. WHY? 1) Because this HD model has a parking ramp for the heads, and 2) Because Scot Moulton says that

Best regards (I'll welcome comments, criticism included )

[pepe]

BTW: In this HD, it's a bit easier to swap (single) platter AND pcb (of course ) , instead of swapping the head stack. WHY? 1) Because this HD model has a parking ramp for the heads, and 2) Because Scot Moulton says that

This is what Mr. Moulton's advices are worth
Just try a platter swap on a hitachi...

pepe

[hddguy]

BTW: In this HD, it's a bit easier to swap (single) platter AND pcb (of course ) , instead of swapping the head stack. WHY? 1) Because this HD model has a parking ramp for the heads, and 2) Because Scot Moulton says that

This is what Mr. Moulton's advices are worth
Just try a platter swap on a hitachi...

pepe

Surely scott is right pepe

[pepe]

He must be.