PCB Alignment Data

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Data recovery and disk repair questions and discussions related to old-fashioned SATA, SAS, SCSI, IDE, MFM hard drives - any type of storage device that has moving parts
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Ami
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PCB Alignment Data

April 11th, 2012, 16:32

Forgive me for the newbie question, still learning. Wanted to know something. If swapping same model PCB boards on modern drives no longer works (especially Toshiba laptop HDDs) because each PCB has it's own alignment data, then why does a platter swap work? Wouldn't data on the platter from another HDD have data differently placed than the original platter, making the original PCB unable to read the new platter? Thanks x
fzabkar
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 11th, 2012, 17:59

AIUI, you need to swap PCBs as well.
CK
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 11th, 2012, 18:01

Correct, PCB swap is mandatory on Toshiba.

If you think about it, the only issue with the "failed" drive is the bearing/motor. Therefore, you need to transfer the PCB and possibly the heads.
Ami
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 11th, 2012, 19:11

I see. So without the original PCB, data recovery is impossible... is it gamer over?
jono-ats
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 11th, 2012, 21:00

Usually, but it depends. Not always.
BlackST
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 12th, 2012, 3:31

Ami wrote:I see. So without the original PCB, data recovery is impossible... is it gamer over?


It depends on who does the job :mrgreen: If I know that PCB has been tinkered or "internet fiddled" I ask to send just the bare HDA, I'll take care of everything else.... :D
Ami
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 12th, 2012, 7:06

Okay. So there is still some hope? I wouldn't mind sending my drive to any one of you pros to recover. If you think you'll be able to recover my data without its original PCB please let me know. Model is Toshiba MK3265GSX 320GB 2.5" drive. I've decided to leave DR in the hands of pros, no way I'm risking the DIY ways.

So.. anyone? :)
Nick_CT
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 12th, 2012, 14:01

BlackST wrote:It depends on who does the job :mrgreen: If I know that PCB has been tinkered or "internet fiddled" I ask to send just the bare HDA, I'll take care of everything else.... :D


Are you talking about Toshiba's only here? If not then I'm interested in your remark.
pcimage
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 12th, 2012, 14:39

Nick_CT wrote:
BlackST wrote:It depends on who does the job :mrgreen: If I know that PCB has been tinkered or "internet fiddled" I ask to send just the bare HDA, I'll take care of everything else.... :D


Are you talking about Toshiba's only here? If not then I'm interested in your remark.


I too would be interested to know if you can recover an MK3265GSX with a PCB that's been thrown away! :-)

Personally I don't see how it's realistically possible.
BlackST
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Re: PCB Alignment Data

April 13th, 2012, 4:43

I didn't think it was, either :mrgreen:

P.S. it is a PITA but when it's the last resort , assuming time and resources are not an issue... well, then.... :(
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