Problem with a HDD WD20EARX

[Chollo]

Hello everyone!

I am the newest by this place. I have a problem with a WD20EARX-00PASB0.
It was the backup disk. One day, SMART warned of a problem and within a few days it could no longer be read.

After seeing on the internet the known problems with this series of WD, I deduced that the fault was in the heads of readers (the HDD was recognized in BIOS, there were no clicks, it just could not read).

I decided to find a donor.

The original:

MDL: WD20EARX-00PASB0
DMC: HARNHTJCAB
DATE: 12 AUG 2011
Made in Thailand

The donor:

MDL: WD20EARX-00PASB0
DMC: HHRNHTJMHB
DATE: 17 MAY 2012
Made in Thailand

Questions:

1.- Are they compatible? I looked at the firm and positions 5-6 of DCM, as they advise.

2.- I have already changed the heads without problems, the disk is detected by the BIOS but not by the operating system.

I suppose there will be some software-level change in the SA, but I'm not sure.

Someone can guide me to resuscitate the disc.

Thank you very much

NOTE: Excuse my English so poor. Help me Translate Google Translate

NOTE 2. If I have already fucked it, do not hesitate to tell me.

[MindMergepk]

After seeing on the internet the known problems with this series of WD, I deduced that the fault was in the heads of readers (the HDD was recognized in BIOS, there were no clicks, it just could not read).

what you changed heads on a drive which was recognized by bios and there was no clicking sound ? if yes than you did it totally un-necessary and open the disk to a potential risk.

IF now drive is recognized by BIOS at least you have not (excusme) the drive. The problem is still there Firmware, Bad Sector which needs to be addressed.

there are two ways to proceed now:

1. either you continue with your own imagination and finally you will end up with permanent data loss (no offense).
2. contact a reputed DR company and let them do the rest, hopefull you can still get you data.

in case you want to proceed with option 1, search this forum for slow-fix.
your data your choice.

good luck

[F_ARG]

Hi Chollo, you have probably fucked it ( sorry, a don t want to be rude). It is not clear what was the original problem (with a high probability of FW corruption). Now you may have two problems, original one and head calibration. If the data on it is important i will agree with MindMergepk, you should look for proffesional DR help.

Best!

F

pd: don t worry about your english,we aren t mostly native english speakers as you probably noted .

[Chollo]

Thanks for the answers.

I assume I screwed up, but I think I can still fight with the unit.

Professional recovery is not an option because of its high economic cost.

There may be some important facts, but not many. It's a matter of learning and flipping.

Is firmware corruption reversible? Some guide to start studying.

Thank you.

[pclab]

What tools do you have to work?
Can you do any other kind of diagnose?

If not, try to get a professional to help you before you f*** the drive more.

[data-medics]

NOTE 2. If I have already fucked it, do not hesitate to tell me.

Probably this. If the drive was recognizing in BIOS, then you most likely misdiagnosed the situation and have now turned what would have been a $400 recovery into a $1000 one.

Just FYI, the letters to match was the TJ not the MT, but that's OK you got it anyway. The date however is too far off. I aim for one or two months off, I'll settle for three or four, and I rarely waste my time trying anything more than six months off.

[Chollo]

OKAY. Hypothetically.

If I put the original heads and everything returns to its original situation (HDD recognized in BIOS and partitions detected but not readable) and assuming they are right that the problem is corrupt firmware, can you tell me some guide to try to solve it ?.

The professional service here is very expensive and does not guarantee results. It inspires no confidence.

Tomorrow at the first hour I change heads again.

Thank you

[pcimage]

The professional service here is very expensive and does not guarantee results. It inspires no confidence.

What do you call "expensive"? Should have been less than €300.... but now???

And what sort of professional service would charge for no results in a case like this? Should be "no-fix no-fee"

[dick]

(HDD recognized in BIOS and partitions detected but not readable)

Sorry to say this but if the partitions were detected why did you decide to change the heads? Probably a big mistake as it is likely the drive just needed to be imaged on a hardware imager.

So now anything you do is your decision.

If you decide to continue on by yourself before you do anything else I would suggest you carry out various quick read tests using Mhdd or Victoria just to see if you have full sector access to the media. If you don't then stop!

[F_ARG]

OKAY. Hypothetically.

Tomorrow at the first hour I change heads again.

Thank you

Chollo,

My advise would be: don´t touch it anymore, look for professional help. I do not know fellows in Spain, but for sure there is someone from Spain around this forum.

Best!

F

[Chollo]

I have put the original heads back on the disc and everything is the same as at the beginning. With some application under msdos has shown me the 2 original partitions, but nothing else. Any suggestions to continue?

I have references of users who have been charged € 1100 for repairing their disc plus an extra per number of Gb recovered. unacceptable

[MindMergepk]

you should try to clone this drive to another 2tb healthy hard drive.
ddrescue is good for this purpose.

good luck

[dick]

Any suggestions to continue?

Yes do the tests I described.
Also check the smart attributes.

[drHDD]

I would suggest not to continue by your self even if drive shows same behavior like before. Most likely drive will die in the middle of imaging.