I have a WD1200JB-32EVA0 that will only initialize and be seen by bios / mhdd intermittently. Right now it is being seen fine, but the scan is going slooooow. All blocks are returning >500ms with occasional UNCs.

Anyone have any idea what it might be. I'm leaning toward failing controller board as that seems to plague these, but I've never seen one quite like this yet.

Do you suggest I try to image it as is, (it would take a month!) or try to swap parts first?

Almost certainly failing heads.

I would try and image it using a non-windows based imager (e.g. Media Tools) before it dies completely.

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