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Data recovery and disk repair questions and discussions related to old-fashioned SATA, SAS, SCSI, IDE, MFM hard drives - any type of storage device that has moving parts
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Seagate ST31000528AS TVS Diode Burnt - Need Help Plz!

November 5th, 2009, 19:53

Hi guys!
I've been trying frantickly to find a matching replacement PCB for my Seagate 7200.12 1TB Drive that was only purchased a few months ago.
This was spose to be a backup drive that I foolishly consolidated around 900GB of data I was storing, and then this happened!
I don't care for a new drive, I need the data back...and there's a LOT of it!

What happened was, I plugged it into a Bytec USB 2.0 Drive Mate (An external IDE/SATA/ connector) and noticed a burning smell, so I quickly pulled it out.
Unfortunately, after that, my drive is no longer detected in the bios.

I researched around, took off the PCB and I think it's my TVS diode that has burnt out...apparently protecting the other parts or something.

Anyways, I'll try to upload the pictures, as I'm wondering if taking the TVS off as others have suggested will fix the issue, or if there's something else I can do. I have a matching 1TB hardrive with the same Part number, firmware, and site code...but a Different S/N: and I DID take a look at it, and certain parts ARE different...and tried it on my burnt drive, and it spins and makes clicking noises etc...and still doesn't work.

Here is the TVS Closeup:
Image

Here are the drive specs:

Image

Seagate 7200.12 1TB Drive
S/N:6VP0THRL
ST31000528AS
P/N:9SL154-300
Firmware:CC34
Date Code:09484
Site Code:SU

and here is the PCB:
Image

If anyone has or knows where I can get a matching S/N drive, as I can't find one anywhere...and I know that seagate don't give replacement parts...this really blows!
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thx guys!

P.S. - Not sure about the other little parts close to the TVS and whether they are affecting it as well, even if I take off the TVS?
Pic here:
Image

Need Seagate ST31000528AS PCB - S/N:6VP0THRL 1TB - Burnt TVS

November 5th, 2009, 20:14

Hi there!
I'm trying to find a replacement PCB for my Seagate drive and can't find one anywhere!
If anyone knows where I can get one, that would be mad appreciated!

I think my TVS diode burnt, and I tried a similar PCB from matching drive, but S/N is not the same, and the PCB is slightly different so it didn't work.

Here are the pix of my drive and problem.
Any help would be awesome!

http://www.nathanbrown.biz/images/

http://www.nathanbrown.biz/images/1-TVS-Closeup.jpg
http://www.nathanbrown.biz/images/1-TVSCloseup.jpg
http://www.nathanbrown.biz/images/2-SeagatePCB.jpg
http://www.nathanbrown.biz/images/3-DriveDetails.jpg

- Nate

Re: Need Seagate ST31000528AS PCB - S/N:6VP0THRL 1TB - Burnt TVS

November 7th, 2009, 11:58

A new PCB won't work at all, GUARANTEED, without changing the ROM chip over.

This ROM chip contains 100% unique data in it pertaining to the drive.

You could try removing the TVS, but it's blown for a reason so removing it and firing up the drive "may" cook the board and/or drive entirely.

The best way would be to get an IDENTICAL board and physically move this ROM chip over, assuming excellent de-soldering and soldering skills. Better still get pro help.

If you're confident enough then good luck, if not then give me or another pro a call.

Re: Need Seagate ST31000528AS PCB - S/N:6VP0THRL 1TB - Burnt TVS

November 7th, 2009, 12:54

Agree with pcimage.
A simple pcb swap can make things only more worse, but will no help you out.

Ask the nearest pro.

Janos

Re: Need Seagate ST31000528AS PCB - S/N:6VP0THRL 1TB - Burnt TVS

November 7th, 2009, 14:03

Any update??? did the chip swap work for you?????

or find the exact matching PCB yet?????
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