WD5000AAKS smells badly and not working anymore

[ElimGarak]

Hello!
Two days ago, my WD5000AAKS stopped working. It makes no noise at all, but the PCB seems to overheat and smells badly.
I understood that changing the PCB with another one taken from another WD5000AAKS does not work, is it so?

Unfortunately, here in Italy it seems we're full of highly expensive data recovery center, but none able to replace and program a PCB.

From the symptoms, could you tell it's a PCB problem and my data are still there but unavailable?
In that case, do you know who can I ask to replace and program the PCB here in Italy and what could be the expense?

Thanks a lot!!!

[BlackST]

Unfortunately, here in Italy it seems we're full of highly expensive data recovery center, but none able to replace and program a PCB.

Not true

I understood that changing the PCB with another one taken from another WD5000AAKS does not work, is it so?

Yes

[ElimGarak]

Unfortunately, here in Italy it seems we're full of highly expensive data recovery center, but none able to replace and program a PCB.

Not true

Well, I'm happy to read it. Could you please give some more informations? I Googled a while but did not find anything.
Thanks!

[rd-simone]

Unfortunately this WD has no external U12 ROM chip, so you need special equipment to program donor PCB.
Then you have to verify that PCB is the only problem...

[ElimGarak]

So sorry! I've just seen I misspelled the name of the model. It's not WD5000AAKS but WD5000AADS.
Does it change anything? Thanks!

[rd-simone]

So does it have U12 8-leg chip ?

[ElimGarak]

I don't know. I cannot remove the PCB, since I do not have the right screwdriver right now.

[ElimGarak]

Maybe it could be helpful... The PCB model is:

2060-701640-002 REV A

Thanks again for all your support. I wouldn't really like to lose my data. (who would!) ^_^

[hddlab]

If your data is importan, seek for DR pro. In Italy you can contact Blackst and irc.