Replace D4 or swap rom chip?

[Anon]

Hello guys!

You were so helpful a few months ago (especially thanks to mr_spokk who took care of the issues at a reasonable price), so I thought I'd check in to see what you think about how I should fix my old WD Elements.

Basically, it's fried somehow.

I've attached a couple of pics. You can clearly see the D4 fried (if I recall correctly this is one of the TVS, 12V I believe?). I don't have a multimeter but will go to a workshop and check there.

My question is simple really, is it better for me to just cut/replace the diode or should I pay for a ROM chip swap? The problem with the latter isn't really the cost since hdd-parts.com does it for 60-70 bucks, but the time it takes to ship the board to the US and back.

Oh, and if the answer is to try to replace D4 first, can I just take one from another PCB? Are all D4 on all kinds of HDD PCBs the same?

Thanks in advance

Attachments

[dmarques]

Your first option could be replacing the diode to check if solves the problem.
If not, you can consider other options.

In your case, I don't see any external ROM, so can't simply put ROM chip in another PCB.

[Cleanroom]

just desolder the chip and then try and spin up the drive. It should work, pending there are n o other issues. Get your data off then replace the drive.

[Anon]

Your first option could be replacing the diode to check if solves the problem.
If not, you can consider other options.

In your case, I don't see any external ROM, so can't simply put ROM chip in another PCB.

Ok, I just ordered 12V diodes to try that fix. Don't wanna run it without overvoltage protection.

If it doesn't work, what options do I have? Isn't the ROM inside the Marvell-chip and can't the people over at hdd-parts for example do a transfer to a new PCB?

[dmarques]

Yes, the ROM is contained inside the CPU.
I really don't if people at hddparts have the tools to do it, as I never used their services or even speak with them.

Probably you'll get someone in Europe that can do it for a good price.

Besides that remember that even after fixing the PCB problem, the drive can have other problems, like pre-amp burned, etc.

[Anon]

Yes, the ROM is contained inside the CPU.
I really don't if people at hddparts have the tools to do it, as I never used their services or even speak with them.

Probably you'll get someone in Europe that can do it for a good price.

Besides that remember that even after fixing the PCB problem, the drive can have other problems, like pre-amp burned, etc.

Do you know anyone based in Europe who offers PCB + transfer?

[pcimage]

Contact mr_spokk on this forum, he's in Sweden and is highly recommended!

[dmarques]

It's true.

[ROb]

You can run w/o the diode, no harm provided you are sure about the source of power supply

[fzabkar]

If the drive still doesn't spin after removing D4, then check the zero-ohm resistors (R64 / R67).

[Anon]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the help to everyone. Removed D4 and booted the disk successfully.