Get drive specific info from damaged ROM

[Tlucz-huba]

hi,

I have a problem with my WD Passport essential SE 1TB (2.5`, native USB 3.0)

Model #: WD10TMVW-11ZSMS1
LBA #: 1953525168
DCM #: HBMTJHBN

My PCB went south (due to heat issues) and it looks like the ROM is damaged as well. I do have a matching donor drive PCB, but unless there is a way to get the drive specific info off the damaged original ROM, I guess it is useless.

So my question is: Is there a way to read even damaged ROM or re-built the information somehow?

Thanx

[drc]

Damaged like how?

[N.C.]

Why do you think, your PCB is damaged?
Maybe my fantasy is too weak, but I can't imagine this on mobile 2.5" drive caused by heat issue...

[Tlucz-huba]

the damage was done by excessive heat. i have left my place in a hurry and accidentally left the drive under the laptop on my bed. When I got back the drive was dead and REALLY HOT.

I have sent the drive to a data recovery company, found a matching donor drive for the PCB and sent it to them too. But they say that the original ROM is damaged (i do not know exactly how damaged, I assume burned out) and cannot be read so according to them the drive is beyond recovery.

They did not really provide much info on the details or what tool did they try to read it with.

[Tlucz-huba]

I am just trying to figure out if unreadable ROM is a total dead end or if there is anything else that can be done. Wondering if someone had a similar case.

[BlackST]

To me the problem is elsewhere. Anyway - and it may not be so easy - it is possible to do something even without original rom / pcb. Not without dedicated equipment and most of all KNOW HOW. The limit is a damaged media.

[ShaneWard]

Send a groveling letter to WD and ask them for the rom data that can be uploaded to a new Rom chip, or a copy of that chip, I would have thought that the manufactures would have a copy of the data somewhere... Just have to ask nicely.

[BlackST]

Send a groveling letter to WD and ask them for the rom data that can be uploaded to a new Rom chip, or a copy of that chip, I would have thought that the manufactures would have a copy of the data somewhere... Just have to ask nicely.

And what nice answer do you expect and just in case what nice kind of tools are needed for the job?

[Tlucz-huba]

Send a groveling letter to WD and ask them for the rom data that can be uploaded to a new Rom chip, or a copy of that chip, I would have thought that the manufactures would have a copy of the data somewhere... Just have to ask nicely.

And what nice answer do you expect and just in case what nice kind of tools are needed for the job?

Currently i am NOT concerned about the tools. I don`t see a problem to send it to some DR company along with the ROM info. I need to get the ROM info first, than I can be worried about the tools ;o)

BTW, I seriously doubt that WD would keep this kind for info around. What would be the practical reason for them? Or doe anyone have an experience of getting it from them?

[einstein9]

Well to me as BlackST said, the problem is else where not ROM

you can imagine how much heat we are applying to the ROM chip to de-solder it
it is way more than the heat you are talking about, it is not a ROM problem

you will need a better diagnose for your drive, like Spins now or DEAD?
clicks or not?

good luck

[einstein9]

forgot to add that ur WD Passport essential has Initio Encryption Chip which makes it difficult with even Pro. Tools

[BlackST]

Currently i am NOT concerned about the tools. I don`t see a problem to send it to some DR company along with the ROM info. I need to get the ROM info first, than I can be worried about the tools ;o)

BTW, I seriously doubt that WD would keep this kind for info around. What would be the practical reason for them? Or doe anyone have an experience of getting it from them?

Honestly I don't see any problem : sending the drive even without PCB or with a completely fried one should make no difference. Anyway if you really want, with appropriate tools AND/OR (note : AND/OR) know how, you can get the info you are talking about. How to use it or IF it is of any use , this is a completely different story.
I just wonder why a DR company would ask to send the drive providing this kind of data....

[Tlucz-huba]

Currently i am NOT concerned about the tools. I don`t see a problem to send it to some DR company along with the ROM info. I need to get the ROM info first, than I can be worried about the tools ;o)

BTW, I seriously doubt that WD would keep this kind for info around. What would be the practical reason for them? Or doe anyone have an experience of getting it from them?

Honestly I don't see any problem : sending the drive even without PCB or with a completely fried one should make no difference. Anyway if you really want, with appropriate tools AND/OR (note : AND/OR) know how, you can get the info you are talking about. How to use it or IF it is of any use , this is a completely different story.
I just wonder why a DR company would ask to send the drive providing this kind of data....

1) I believe with this kind of drive it actually makes a difference to have or not to have PCB, since the PCB includes encryption chip.
Correction: it is much easier/cheaper to recover if you have the PCB ;o)

2) Well, they did not ask me to provide anything besides the drive. They did the diagnosis and said the PCB is fried. I have ordered matching donor drive with PCB. they swapped PCB and soldered the original ROM to it. They say that the ROM is not readable (on PC3K) and I assume for them it is not cost effective to waste more time on it especially since they claimed a flat fee if recovery is possible ;o)

3) I guess it comes to to a BETTER diagnosis ;o) Looks like I need to find some trustworthy DR company ;o)

Last edited by Tlucz-huba on August 8th, 2011, 16:26, edited 1 time in total.

[drc]

PC3K does not work with USB 3.0 drives yet

That might explain why they are not able to read it

[Tlucz-huba]

PC3K does not work with USB 3.0 drives yet

That might explain why they are not able to read it

I just read on google forum that it is possible.

http://groups.google.com/group/datareco ... 21f6c21323

take a look at the 2nd and 4th post. Even thought it was posted back in march (???).

[drc]

They are referring to USB 2.0 drives

Anyway I'm not saying that it isn't possible, just that PC3K does not work with USB 3.0 drives out of the box (yes you can use some brains to get things to work, but that's always true )

[DR-Kiev]

I assume you chose wrong data recovery company, try another.

For the first , even if this drive has ROM damage (it is realy rare situation for this drives) data could be recoverable with compatible one .
Second , this pcb has two ROM's U8 and U12 , about which one they told? Hope they didn't spoiled something.

Third, this drives based on Symwave encrypting chip, it is create a bit problem with decrypting but if you don't do few wrong steps ( it is realy important), job could be done with successful end.

BTW , there is no need exactly same PCB , why they appointed you to find it? This is their job not your.

[Tlucz-huba]

@ drc: Yeah, I realized that after I posted the reply

@ DR-Kiev: Yeah, I kinda figured. They replaced the U8 chip. I keep my fingers crossed they didn`t screw up something. The drive was opened, even though they said it was PCB issue. Looks like they did not exactly know what is wrong so they tried a few different things.

the PBC is not the exact match. Just the 5th and 6th and 8th letters from the DCM actually do match.

They did not appoint me. It just was taking them too long for my taste (like 2-3 weeks was nothing happening) so I offered that I will look around for the donor also.

[DR-Kiev]

@ drc: Yeah, I realized that after I posted the reply

@ DR-Kiev: Yeah, I kinda figured. They replaced the U8 chip. I keep my fingers crossed they didn`t screw up something. The drive was opened, even though they said it was PCB issue. Looks like they did not exactly know what is wrong so they tried a few different things.

the PBC is not the exact match. Just the 5th and 6th and 8th letters from the DCM actually do match.

They did not appoint me. It just was taking them too long for my taste (like 2-3 weeks was nothing happening) so I offered that I will look around for the donor also.

U8 it is the wrong one.

[Tlucz-huba]

@ DR-Kiev: Thank you. Can the U8 stay there and just the patient U12 to be switched to the donor PCB? Because the donor U8 is gone. They remover it and I guess just threw it away or kept laying around at their desk. Also, does the Initio (Symware?) encryption chip has to be switched from the patient to donor?

Thanx again. You guys are very helpful.