Causes boot hang if present at boot, by hot plugging I got one test to run, and as far as I can tell, it may be a failed head.

Now call me mad if you like, but if there are free tools which would allow patching out the error, I'd be happy to get a usable 30GB out of it.
From appearance, the drive seems to have originally been a WD

You're trying to recover the data, or refurbish this? Not sure I follow what you're saying.

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Data Medics - Hard Drive, SSD, and RAID Data Recovery Service Company

I suggest that you read the "selfscan" threads/tutorials at http://www.hddoracle.com.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

Objective, get a usable drive for knocking about with old IDE systems, and for interest in the procedure.
Model... Nikimi NIK-XW600A
board 2060-001159-006 rev A

Victoria - not working properly in my Hiren's 15.2, have now got hold of both Windows & DOS versions, will have to see if Windows version can operate through a USB adapter, or make a bootable out of the DOS version.

Tried MHDD, could get basic info but not much further, will have a read of selfscan too

Victoria for Windows, via USB...
Passport - success, but serial number is corrupted nonsense
SMART status - error reading
Read test - error ABRT reported every 256
Seek test - not much happens
Seek test with flag set to "verify", can hear it seeking, action seems to be working, I'll leave it to shake for a while in case it's sticky.

I think it's a dead duck, especially if impractical to revive with free tools, even if there is anything to revive, as far as I can tell, it seems Nikimi's are already refurbished drives, and maybe they just didn't do it very well

If you install the drive's PM2 jumper (Power-up in standby - PUIS), does the drive then allow the system to boot?

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

i like...
go, get another drive and forget this one. the time for writing this message already costed more than what it is worth.

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

+1

Why do you recommend this program? It is not free tool. How did you get it?