Shorted Diode? Help with the TVS method

[SAjunky]

Why dispose? Donate it to the members. I would take it!

[Joeri.]

Dont really feel safe with donating the hdd, with all those data recovery programs and such, some the pictures
on it are private. I could wipe it but i'd rather be safe then sorry.

[SAjunky]

I was just testing, not kidding. Whether you were really going to replace TVS....

[Joeri.]

I just tried measuring it again (with the drive not getting power or anything).
In the pictures you can only see one reading,I tried both and got the same results for the 12v when measuring
with 200 ohms.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69 ... 05m35.png/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/80 ... 06m30.png/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69 ... 07m08.png/

[atzensepp]

Your Multimeter has a diode tester: Dial at 2 o' clock position. The yellow symbol ->|-
(Leads as in DC and Ohm jacks - not Amp jack)

Maybe look at this one: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_3/2.html

[SAjunky]

I advice to not use diode testing range. Besides you have just finished testing.
I wrote it already. Didn't I? Cut this diode.

[Joeri.]

I advice to not use diode testing range. Besides you have just finished testing.
I wrote it already. Didn't I? Cut this diode.

I'm going to cut it this evening. I'll post afterwards how it went.
Fingers crossed.

[Joeri.]

My flush cutter ended up being either not strong enough or I just didnt dare using enough pressure because I am still afraid of slipping and scratching the pcb.
Going to give it another go this evening with a different flush cutter.

[Vulcan]

@Joeri.

My flush cutter ended up being either not strong enough or I just didnt dare using enough pressure because I am still afraid of slipping and scratching the pcb.

I don't want to get involved in your ongoing conversation with SAjunky, but when he said:

Cut this diode.

... you do realise that he did not mean to cut the black epoxy body of the diode itself, don't you? If you were trying to do that then, of course, normal flush cutters won't succeed (they're not designed for cutting through epoxy) and the risks of the cutters slipping and damaging the PCB (or your fingers!) are high (as well as you damaging the cutting edges of the tool itself). See the earlier postings in this thread for more details from SAjunky about where to cut.

I am not telling you what to do - you're already getting advice. I'm just concerned that some mis-communication between you & SAjunky is potentially going to result in you trying to really cut the diode itself, and cause even more problems if the cutters slip. That is all

[Joeri.]

@Joeri.

My flush cutter ended up being either not strong enough or I just didnt dare using enough pressure because I am still afraid of slipping and scratching the pcb.

I don't want to get involved in your ongoing conversation with SAjunky, but when he said:

Cut this diode.

... you do realise that he did not mean to cut the black epoxy body of the diode itself, don't you? If you were trying to do that then, of course, normal flush cutters won't succeed (they're not designed for cutting through epoxy) and the risks of the cutters slipping and damaging the PCB (or your fingers!) are high (as well as you damaging the cutting edges of the tool itself). See the earlier postings in this thread for more details from SAjunky about where to cut.

I am not telling you what to do - you're already getting advice. I'm just concerned that some mis-communication between you & SAjunky is potentially going to result in you trying to really cut the diode itself, and cause even more problems if the cutters slip. That is all

No worries, I didnt try to do that. Thanks for the heads up though.
Still working on finding a replacement flush cutter. Shops where closed today, going to get a brand new decent one tomorrow.
Will keep you informed.

I appriciate all the help here, its giving me the confidence I need to try it.

[Vulcan]

No worries, I didnt try to do that.

Good

Thanks for the heads up though.

You're welcome. A long time ago, I remember reading a posting from someone who had tried to do exactly that, and damaged the PCB as a result. That's why I just wanted to add my previous comment, in case you were trying to follow the exact instruction to cut the diode.

Now that this is clarified, I'll stop my interjection to your previous conversation with SAjunky. Good luck!

[Joeri.]

I did it! I snapped the 12v diode (ended up also snapping the epoxy-body part of the diode and had a quick moment of panic) and the drive booted up!
I just finished copying the data of it.

To everyone in this thread, but especially to SAjunky: Thank you for all the help!
First thing I am going to do now is back it up to 2 other backup drives so something like this can never ever happen again!

Thank you

[loki]

Well done & congratulations

[SAjunky]

Glad finally is working.