Hello,

I would like to try to swap the PCB for this drive. Here is a photo of the original PCB:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/378 ... 681ce9.jpg

The numbers on the bad drive are:

(this drive is an OEM drive from a Compaq computer)
PN: SG-012341-12547-15S-29TQ
Rev: A01
CT:23975412QLX423
(another field labeled P/N) P/N: 204533-001
GTLA: LD40A011-02-A 40.OAT
SN 054114608424
TGZXX
Printed on PCB: 908 PA2 1522S
Stamped on IDE connector shell: a1416

I have two donor drives with the following numbers:

Donor 1:

PN: JP-012341-12541-OCL-1326
Rev: A00
CT:239750055LAN7X
(another field labeled P/N) P/N: 204533-001
GTLA: LD40A011-01-A 40.OAT
SN 354035429667
PGZXX
Printed on PCB: 908 PA2 OD14Z
Stamped on IDE connector shell: WO1203

Donor 2:

PN: JP-012341-12541-OB9-168L
Rev: A00
CT:239750055L4PE9
(another field labeled P/N) P/N: 204533-001
LD40A3M1 REV 01 - M APL08 (no leading GTLA text)
SN 354031327002
PGZXX
Printed on PCB: 908 PA2 ONO7Z
Stamped on IDE connector shell: TO1204

Can anyone tell me which donor would be the best choice?

I have read that these drives have the best chance of a PCB swap because all of the firmware is on the platter.

I have not yet done anything to this drive. I've been reading several websites and I have downloaded some software (MHDD, dd_rescue).

I have also read that the most common advice is to send the drive to a professional data recovery company. This is fine but if you tell me to send it to a professional could you please suggest some companies that are not too expensive, even if it is your own company.

Finally, if anyone is willing to help me I would be happy to make a donation to this site or do something else to contribute to this site. I have access to a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope and I would be happy to take a few images and upload them to the board. If anyone is interested I would be happy to trade images for data recovery.

Thank you

either should work... if the problem is pcb related...

pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Agreed, common problem on these drives,

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PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

Hello,

Thank you very much for your reply.

Please let me know how I can show my appreciation. I can make a donation to this site or if you would like something else please let me know! If you like I can send you some (old) hard drives!

U are welcome.

pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Hi ,
Tell Us If The PCB Sway Solved Your Issue .

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Regards
Amarbir S Dhillon , Chandigarh Data Recovery Labs [India]
Logical,Semi Physical And Physical Data Recovery
Website-> http://www.chandigarhdatarecovery.com

Hello,

This did not solve the problem, but it did help.

Before the drive would not even spin. Now the drive spins and I can hear the heads seek when the drive powers up. The heads click a few times and then stop. The drive is not recognized by the BIOS. I ran MHDD but it did not see the drive. I assume that if the BIOS does not see the drive MHDD will not see it either but I wanted to try anyway. I put the donor PCB back on the original drive and it worked fine. I did this with the PCB from both donor drives.

I now think the preamplifier is bad. The original PCB shows a serious electrical burn. I think this also caused the preamplifier to be destroyed. I have two donor drives so someday I will try to swap the head assembly. I did some searching on Google and it looks like this drive has 2 platters. I couldn't find the number of platters but I found this drive has 4 heads which must mean 2 platters. I think swapping 4 heads will be difficult but I think when I have time I have at least a 50/50 chance of success. Scott Moulton's videos are very helpful. Next year I will go to DEFCON!

I work in a laboratory that has a cleanroom so I am very lucky. I also think I can use a glove bag:
https://www.coleparmer.com/catalog/larg ... =34751.jpg

Again, I appreciate all suggestions. Even if you want me to send the drive to your company!

Thank you

Head swap won't work. These drives have adaptive format, if you have 20-30 candidate donors maybe 1 out of them will work and not 100%. Unless you have the know how and deep knowledge of drive internals, but from what I have read from your post, you don't. P.s. I can solve the problem with proprietary techniques.

Hi,

we can cope with this kind of problem, for a reasonable price.
The chances that u will succeed with zero experience is close to zero instead of 50/50. Even many of the DR companies are still unable to recover it. Quantums are tricky for head swapping.
The choice is yours: ruin your chances or be wise and send it to someone able to cope with it.
U can PM me for a quote.

regards,
pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery