WD3200AAJS Caviar SE is not properly recognized

[Doezer]

Hello everyone,
I've "crawled" a bit on the forum, but couldn't get anything sorted out about firmwares as I don't know a bit about real data recuperation.
A friend of mine has this HDD, a WD3200AAJS Caviar SE, 320GB, which stopped working.
From what I understood, when he boots on it (on two PCs), the screen goes blue and nothing happens.

I tried getting it to work via a sata dock I have, and the only thing appearing is a device called "Initio Default Controller", which is apparently some kind of upgrading interface for the firmware?
Of course, nothing else, would it be in the peripherals or disks view. I also tried with EASEUS Partition master.
So, naturally, the only thing I can think about now is that would be because of a firmware issue, and here I am on HDD Guru, where I found this page with a whole lot of files for this HDD of his: http://files.hddguru.com/download/PC-30 ... irection=1

I'm dry here, I just don't know how to use them, or even if I can use them.

So, I guess the ultimate question is the same as in a lot of topics: is Mr. HDD definitely dead or is there still a chance for us to save him?

Thanks.

[drHDD]

Tell us more about drive. Is it spinning? Any noises?

[Doezer]

The drive is behaving as any other drive. Spinning as you would expect and no unusual noise. It really seems to be functioning from an external point of view, up until you boot on it of course..

[pcimage]

Probably a firmware issue, exacerbated by media issues (bad sectors).

Unlike mobile phones and other devices, Hdd fw cannot simply be "flashed" as a lot of modules in the fw are totally unique to the individual drive (eg factor defect lists, adaptive head microjogs etc...) so if you try this you'll "brick" the drive for good.

It needs to be looked at by someone who a)knows what they are doing and b) has the right tools for the job.

Sorry to say this isn't a DIY job

We can help if you can ship to UK.

[drHDD]

If you able to connect it to working pc (sata connection) - I could look it by Teamviewer and tell you more about your problem.

[Doezer]

Like I said it's not mine and I don't have it anymore. I'll give your answers to my colleague on Monday and he'll decide what to do next.

[Doezer]

Update: My colleague decided to give it to a friend of his who seems to be in the business.

Well at least, maybe his wife will do some backups now!