Maxtor PCB Compatibility

[Orion666]

Hi there, I looked all over the net and this is the one place that know what they are doing so I need your help. Couple days ago my Maxtor hdd smooth chip blew do to a faulty psu. Of course you probably guessed it there is a minor crater in the chip and the motor doesn't spin. Now my question is if I can't find the exact pcb for this hdd what are my options?

Here are the specs.

Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9
80GB SATA/150
Code: YAR511WO N,G,B,A
Firmware: U7FYA
Main controller: 040119500 (agere Ardent C10-C1)
Motor Combo IC: L7250E 1.2
Board Number: 301861101
SN: Y24FV4SC
6Y080M042732R
Has Molex and Sata power connectors (Blew on the Molex)

From what I read on other posts you should at least match the firmware. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advanced!
Peace.

[jono-ats]

Match the Firmware.

[Orion666]

Match the Firmware.

Thanks for your reply. Would it still be the same firmware if it was a greater or smaller capacity?

[jono-ats]

Yes.

The same FW generally works on different-sized drives, with a possible exception (in the case of external vs. embedded ROM) but normally this is not an issue.

[Orion666]

I did a bit of digging for parts. All the parts I find have the same code (YAR511WO) but they have the number U8FYA when mine is U7FYA, off by one digit, will this cause issues?

[jono-ats]

Should work.

[BlackST]

... BUT :

1) You can have some other damage that will fry the new PCB at start;
2) You can have preamp damaged so the drive will click at start or play the "Maxtor sound";
3) You can have another kind of damage that will make drive at least start BUT you'll have a lot of problems getting data out of it or it will be impossible at all with conventional stuff.

... BUT you won't know until you try it.

[Orion666]

Just got the U8FYA board, turn the HDD on, it clicks and beeps few times then stops. Any other ideas?

[BlackST]

Some days ago I said....

... BUT :

1) You can have some other damage that will fry the new PCB at start;
2) You can have preamp damaged so the drive will click at start or play the "Maxtor sound";
3) You can have another kind of damage that will make drive at least start BUT you'll have a lot of problems getting data out of it or it will be impossible at all with conventional stuff.

... BUT you won't know until you try it.

Bingo.

NOTE: you can have also another kind of mechanical problem with "almost" same symptom - but need to see the drive. Remotely it's just guessing. In any case is game over for DIY .

[Orion666]

I'm not gonna throw in the towel just yet. I opened the HDD in a clean room examined it with magnifying glass and a bright bulb. Looked at the preamp, looks fine on the outside no tattle tale signs of a blown chip or black markings. Turned it on, arm just goes back forth an inch or so and hits the spindle holding the platter. After few seconds the arm stops and platter keeps spinning.

Next things I will try:
1. The original PCB was U7FYA I replaced it with U8FYA now its making the click beeps. I will try to find a U7FYA PCB.

2. I will replace the actuator arm to be sure its not the preamp.

3. I will transfer the platter onto another maxtor drive.

4. I will play the platter in my dvd burner. LMAO just kidding!

[fzabkar]

Whatever you decide to do, you don't need to transfer the platter. That's only necessary if the motor is faulty.

[pcimage]

Whatever you decide to do, you don't need to transfer the platter. That's only necessary if the motor is faulty.

Agree with Frank, platter transfer is NOT an option.

And to be honest, I would give you less than 1% chance of changing the head assembly successfully, but it's your data (or was) so your choice.

[fzabkar]

I'm just making a general observation, but if the preamp were dead, then AIUI it wouldn't be able to communicate via its I2C pins (SDEN, SCLK, SDAT). This begs the question, if the MCU knows that the preamp is dead or not responding, then why does it bother to drive the VCM in search of a track servo signal?

[Vulcan]

I'm just making a general observation [...]

In the spirit of general observations, here's a hypothesis which fits your observation

If only the analog (read channel) part of the pre-amp was dead / degraded / faulty / low amplitude etc., but the digital (I2C) part was working OK, that would explain your observation - even if the MCU did check for successful I2C communication with the pre-amp, before driving the VCM / spindle motor etc., it wouldn't (couldn't) know about the analog problem, until it tried to read from the media.

I've experienced this type of fault (analog side has problem, digital side is OK) with other I2C devices.

Just a hypothesis...

[Orion666]

Thanks guys for your kind observation! The only reason I suggested a platter swap was to put it in a working drive. As for another PCB swap to get the firmware to match like I mentioned, that's probably useless since it seems to be an analog issue? And why such a low % chance of changing head assembly if that's the issue? If you send it to recovery experts they will do same and charge $1000+. I wouldn't remove the head assembly with my hands, dexterity isn't enough. Through your observation this doesn't look like a firmware issue.

Thanks again.

[Vulcan]

And why such a low % chance of changing head assembly if that's the issue?

IMHO you misunderstood the comment from pcimage. Notice he said a 1% chance of you successfully changing the HSA.

[pcimage]

And why such a low % chance of changing head assembly if that's the issue?

IMHO you misunderstood the comment from pcimage. Notice he said a 1% chance of you successfully changing the HSA.

Yep, about the same % I would give myself to rebuild a car engine!

I.e. virtually no chance, as I do not have the necessary skills, tools or experience. I wouldn't even attempt it, get a pro to do it.

[fzabkar]

If only the analog (read channel) part of the pre-amp was dead / degraded / faulty / low amplitude etc., but the digital (I2C) part was working OK, that would explain your observation - even if the MCU did check for successful I2C communication with the pre-amp, before driving the VCM / spindle motor etc., it wouldn't (couldn't) know about the analog problem, until it tried to read from the media.

I've experienced this type of fault (analog side has problem, digital side is OK) with other I2C devices.

The OP stated that the damage occurred as a consequence of a PSU failure. I thought it unlikely that the result of a power supply fault could be so selective. That said, if the negative supply to the preamp were damaged, but not the +5V supply, then perhaps this would affect the analogue side but not the digital logic.

[Orion666]

Exact noise it is making. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PunuLT-TTv8

BTW I'm still looking for replacement arm or another pcb to try.

[BlackST]

Another PCB is a waste of time, HSR * MAYBE * works if something.... wonderful has not happened. GOOD LUCK.