Drive info:WD6400AKS
logic board imprint:2060-701537-003 REV A
logic board sticker: 2061-701537-E00 07PD3 XW 5N22 ADMF 2 0002170 9172

Has about 320GB data on it. ~2GB pictures (priority recover) ~35GB music (lesser priority) and the rest are DVD rips that are recoverable, just time intensive to re-rip.

Was being used in a USB external enclosure. Drive was working beautifully until about 2 days after it was knocked over while powered on (just from upright to prone position on shelf, no drop involved) Drive was powered on, but inactive when this happened. About 2 days later, started getting file access errors, later that evening quit recognizing entirely. I really don't think the drop was the cause, but I mention it just in case...

Connecting directly to SATA drive is not recognized either. Power cable only, drive clicks 6 times, pauses, 2 more clicks, then powers down. Removing the logic board, I do not see any burns or scorches, but there is a bit of browning of the foam insert right where the controller chip sets.

Finding another donor drive for parts should be reasonably cheap and easy. My question is:

What are the odds that a logic board swap would allow me to recover the data?
Would I also need to swap out the pre-amp inside the drive?

If it is worth the effort to do a logic board swap, what other drives use the same logic board, and would I need to switch the ROM also?

Or should I just call the drive dead and move on?

Thanks!
-jjoelc

{Edited to correct typo in board sticker info...}

Swapping out logic boards will not repair your drive. The problem is in the drive and needs to have the heads changed out on this drive. The alignment problem for this drive is very difficult and requires a professional to do this work. I am located in Europe Greece and have the experience necessary to work on this drive. I have clients from all over sending me their WD drives to change the heads on and
recover data from them. If you are interested in a price quote or work on your drive please PM me and I will contact you for the work.
We have changed out over 70 WD heads in the last month and a half with 100% success rate on recovery. I had 3 drives with head crashes which can not be changed out due to the damage of the platters on the drives. I feel like your drive has suffered damage but considering it was readable for a few days after the fall this drive has a good chance of recovery.

I want to add , we don't use home lab or nylon clean-room and tools from ARIS .


XRONIS

_________________
T3 Professional Data Recovery
http://www.t3-recovery.com

totally Agree with rafaela Xronic.

disappointing...

Thank you for the advice. I will consider having a pro look at this. Quite honestly though, I will likely just cut my losses and move on.

Again, thanks!