Samsung HM500JI PCB Swap

[Dizidago357]

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone could tell me if there are any adaptive modules on this PCB that would need to be swapped over on a board swap. The PCB code is "BF41-00249A 00".

Thanks,

Dizi

Attachments

[drc]

That's not how Samsung drives work

[pcimage]

Needs to be the same ROM version.

If ur lucky the ROM version is on the drive label, if not then you need pro assistance to ascertain the version and locate/manufacture a suitable PCB

[Dizidago357]

Thanks pcimage,

I cannot get the drive to go ready at all. Drive had stuck heads and when I move them back to the ramp it still would not spin. I then tried a hotswap and it spun up but I could not access it, and the heads became stuck again. Thinking maybe it could be something with the board, or possibly firmware. Suggestions on where to go next? We don't get too many Samsung drives, so our options and knowledge on them is limited. But I am more than willing to learn some stuff if you have suggestions on how to find the ROM version. I see "REV. A" on the label, but surely it can't be THAT simple?

Thanks,

Dizi

[Dizidago357]

drc,

I presume you're alluding to the fact that much of the adaptive info is on the platters? Or is all of the adaptive info on the platters?

Thanks,

Dizi

[Dizidago357]

I'm not looking for handouts in any fashion, but no additional help at all?

Dizi

[BlackST]

If you trade a solution for Seagate "Unable to load overlay 1A" without using UDMA, I can help.

[Dizidago357]

BlackST,

PM sent.

Dizi

[msurgeon]

Did you try the donor board on the patient drive and vice-versa to see if symptoms follow board or not? If patient board spins up the donor drive and doesn't cause heads to stick then problem is most likely not PCB but heads.

[Dizidago357]

msurgeon,

I did try that, and they do seem to follow.

Patient board on donor drive = no spinning.
Donor board on patient drive = tries to spin, but since heads are still stuck it just buzzes.
Patient board on patient drive = no spinning.

Thanks,

Dizi

[BlackST]

BlackST,

PM sent.

Dizi

... And answer too...

[msurgeon]

Assuming the PCB is at fault, and assuming you've got the right soldering equipment and skills, you can transfer the large Marvell chip (marked with an M) to a compatible donor board. This chip contains the masked ROM which has unique information necessary for proper operation. If the drive still malfunctions after proper re-soldering then heads are also involved.

[Dizidago357]

msurgeon,

We've thought of that, but honestly have been open to any other suggestions before that as that is a very time consuming and difficult procedure ensuring that all leads line up and there is no bridging between them. I asked pcimage earlier but no response from him - what would be the best way to find out if a PCC is compatible? Is it as simple as matching the "BF41-00249A" on the board, or do we also need the "REV. A" to match? Or is there something more?

Dizi

[msurgeon]

No it's not that simple. Matching the Rev. A means nothing; might work but it would be pure luck. As I said previously, the Marvell chip contains masked ROM which has the necessary info for proper drive operation. If you owned pricey DR equipment you could try to copy off ROM from patient and transfer to donor. Short of that re-soldering chip is the only solution outside of blind luck in matching PCBs.

[Dizidago357]

msurgeon,

While we have some stuff, we don't have anything to work with Samsung specifically - we do not have Salvation Data's Samsung Doctor, but if it was something that might be able to fix this we might end up purchasing it. Would that be something that may work? Last we checked, it did not have support for ROM (but that was August of last year).

Dizi

[msurgeon]

If it can copy off the ROM then it's definitely going to help. Be certain it can also write the ROM as well!

[fzabkar]

the Marvell chip contains masked ROM which has the necessary info for proper drive operation. If you owned pricey DR equipment you could try to copy off ROM from patient and transfer to donor.

If the "ROM" is "masked", then it really is Read Only Memory, in which case a transfer would not be possible. If the "ROM" is actually flash memory, then that's a different story.

That said, ISTM that the pros really need to agree on whether a matching board is all that is needed, or whether the "ROM" contents also need to be transferred. AFAICS, this is a fundamentally simple question that any real "pro" should be able to answer.

[BlackST]

And the other part ?
P.s. We don't need the pcb, fried or not. But have to send the drive !

[msurgeon]

This chip contains the masked ROM which has unique information necessary for proper operation.

I used the wrong terminology. ROM can be re-written.

[fzabkar]

ROM can be re-written.

Strictly speaking, no.

ROM = Read-Only Memory.

WOM can be rewritten, though. :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Write-only_memory