Maxtor DiamondMax 21 500GB SATA pcb

[dLo]

ok, i have a Maxtor DM21 500GB SATA drive. my PCB fried, visibly so because the SMOOV chip is melted at two contacts thanks to a renegade power supply. i happened to have another of the same drive that i bought at the same time ( but used in a different comp ). my question is, are they compatible to swap, and do i have to swap the ROM chip as well? (also, which part is the ROM)? the PN, firmware, date code, site code, PCB number on the back, etc match up. the first 4 numbers of the S/N match up, but the main processors are different (one from LSI and one from ST), assuming they're the same chip though. any input is appreciated; i compiled comparison photos for both the bad and good drive:





only noticable differences that i could find:

S/N on bad: 9QG70Pm5
S/N on good: 9QG790MP

microprocessor make on bad: ST
microprocessor make on good: LSI
(but both have the same part #100404225)

last 4 digits of front bar code on bad: LVKV
last 4 digits on front bar code on good: LXTM

[hddmania]

One drive is Tonka and the other is Galaxy.....

[jono-ats]

That's odd. I would bet you lunch that if you swapped the ROM the PCBs are compatible . . .

[dLo]

well, i'm just getting a gauge to see if people think they are compatible ( haven't tried it yet ). don't wanna swap them without being sure it has a possibility of working.

[BlackST]

The unique certainty in life is that has an end.

[lcoughey]

I'm with Jono. It is definitely odd, but it seems plausible that the only difference is the ROM. I can't say for sure that the differences of the microprocessor won't hinder the attempt. Give it a go and let us know how you make out.

[hddmania]

"That's odd. I would bet you lunch that if you swapped the ROM the PCBs are compatible . . . "

My bad, I didn't look for everything. After I saw the different ROM version, I stopped... Yep, if you swap the ROM, it should work. I think Juno-art is right!!! I would love to know the result, too

[Eric Lee]

Swap the BIOS which have 8 pins and said some words "25..."

Then swap the PCB in proper handling and carefully.

Should work.

If it still doesn't work, find a pro near you.

Good luck.

[dLo]

ah ok, so the "tonka" and "galaxy" designations have to do with the ROM? i'm gonna try the swap tonight when I get home. i'll keep everyone posted.

[dLo]

couldn't get the ROM off, even at 600 deg and with wick or pump i couldn't get the solder off! anyway, i just tried the new board as-is and it worked PERFECTLY!