WD5000AAKS-00A7B2

[einzel999x]

Subject hard drive quit on me, mid computer use. Upon reboot it was making the attached noise - some sort of soft clicking pattern 6 times, then 2 times .. then repeat. BIOS will not find the drive.

I removed the PCB and saw some oxidation but no obvious signs of anything fried. Used a soft white eraser to buff off oxidation as a Hail Mary - but no luck.

HD details: MDL: WD500AAKS-00A7B2; NUMBER ON BOARD: 2060-701590-000 REV A; NUMBERS ON WHITE BAR CODE STICKER: 2061-701590-L00 01P, XC 7G04 1P1F L 0003170, 9173

Here is a link to my horrible attempt to capture the sound the thing makes: http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=060 ... 9971635495

So ... should I try the PCB swap (with chip reprogramming) for ~$100 ... or does this sound like a head problem, requiring the full monty?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

[bcometa]

Listening to sounds aren't the proper method to diagnose a drive like this. It needs to go to a pro. You could always try the PCB + Rom swap, but may loose $100 in the process.

[jono-ats]

Sounds like a head problem (without actually listening to the recording).

[bcometa]

Sounds like a head problem (without actually listening to the recording).

After listening to the sound now (it's very difficult to make out exactly what sounds the drive is making), I'd have to agree with Jono-ats, it sounds like a head problem (though could be a "weak" and not "bad" head).

But could also be firmware or PCB problem. But it's all speculation without a real diagnosis.

[Alexii]

heads most likely =( BTW call Jono at data savers. U might be surprised.