Hi people.
I have a WD drive 2500JB that has a blown diode (labelled D6), right next to the power plug. No other chips seemed cracked or scortched.

I'm trying to get data from this drive.

Can I just bypass this diode?
Or should i replace it with another diode... and if so what rating?

From what I can make out of the blistered top of the diode, it is a
STMicroelectronics diode, all I could read was the ST symbol, and the code GP643 (I think). I searched ST.com without luck.

From the customer's report, it sounds like their house copped a power spike.

Thanks in anticipation.

JoshAU

Just remove the diode .

Well I'll be.....

Thats even easier than I thought!
I had assumed that the diode went between the circuit and the 12volt rail... so by removing the diode it would just break the circuit.
I guess they run the diode between 12V and ground instead, so if a reverse current goes through it it shorts to ground, killing the diode.

But hey I'm not an electrician.

And yes, removing the diode works.
Thanks for the succinct answer, rameez.

I will probably try replacing the diode once I have got the data off it, as it appears perfectly fine, except for the scorch mark.

I'll probably take a diode from one of the dozen or so faulty WD800 drives that I have lying around, unless someone here can advise on a suitable replacement diode.

Thanks once again, and have a good weekend.

JoshAU

If you want to read more about this search the forum for TVS.

_________________
You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

Thanks for the extra info, drccsc.
I appreciate it.

Nice to know what its purpose was.

JoshAU