WD5000KS clicking, not shown in boot

[fredm]

WD5000KS-00MNB0 Caviar that started clicking and failed. It clicks right from start up and is not recognized by controller. The clicks are once every 1 or two seconds. I know it is impossible to tell me what is wrong, but reading the forum it seems the WDD are not known for having good PCB's. Almost certain it failed due to heat and two other drives that were in the same case for a longer time lived.

I was thinking of buying a similar drive on eBay and seeing if hot swapping or changing the PCB would work.

Can you guys give me any idea on the probability it was an internal head issue VS a PCB issue?

The data is worth more than the cost of a similar model drive on eBay but not the cost of professional recovery. I am confident I could swap the PCB's but not at all confident in anything internal.

[jono-ats]

Heads 90%

Something else: 10%

[BlackST]

+1. And no DIY.

[pcimage]

+2

Seeing as it is a continual click (as I understand from the OP) rather than clicking then spin down, it "could" be PCB but you would need to swap ROM chip over to new PCB to check this.

[fredm]

So a continuous click is a good sign?

[BlackST]

NO

[Alexii]

Zeus family drive. One or more heads decided to die on you. Even if it is only 1 head dead - the drive will click and not init. Also drive will have 4 platters and 8 heads. This one is a bit funny to work with.

[fredm]

Hmm, just doing some initial read before I posted this thread it seemed like the weakness in these drives was the PCB. I know heat killed it because after it died I noticed my case ventilation was terrible. This thing died a few years ago after less than a year of use and I have just been holding onto it since.

[Alexii]

KS is not AAKS. I am unaware of Zeus PCB to be predisposed to electronic issues. However i may be wrong.

[northwind]

My favorites

[fredm]

My favorites

Well I'm glad my troubles gave you some laughs I guess.

I am unaware of Zeus PCB to be predisposed to electronic issues. However i may be wrong.

OK, I might have read it incorrectly.

[pcimage]

KS is not AAKS. I am unaware of Zeus PCB to be predisposed to electronic issues. However i may be wrong.

I have had 2 or 3 Zeus drives with bad PCB, but at least 100 with bad heads.

That is why I said it "could" be bad PCB.

Unlikely, but still "could"!!!

[northwind]

My favorites

Well I'm glad my troubles gave you some laughs I guess.

Well these drives are bitches. My comment was not supposed to be taken the wrong way, nor was it meant to cause laugh at you.
Actually, since I have worked with these drives quite a lot, I could advice you how to rule out the pcb as being the culprit. Unfortunately I am not allowed to say more in public, but I'm at your disposal through PM or email if you wish.

[poehere]

+3 this one is no DIY

[fzabkar]

I was thinking of buying a similar drive on eBay and seeing if hot swapping or changing the PCB would work.

The following valued forum member (porthas) offers a free "PCB adaptation" service:
member15871.html
http://www.donordrives.com/