Samsung 500GB 2"5 bad pcb

[quasimodo]

Hello,

I have a Samsung HM500LI that just came in today. (Busy, DWF) I have found faults on PCB. Mainly some ceramic caps are shorted close to the HSA ribbon connector. The drive has a very small pcb and as it appears no protective diodes. So my fear is that preamp could be gone as well.

Looking for some advice on testing preamp for this drive.

PM is fine, Thanks!

[HDD Spaz]

quick and simple test. Hot swap.

[quasimodo]

Thanks for the reply and yes sure that is a simple option, and actually I will try to repair the pcb first. But do to my inquisitive nature I wanted to test the 5V lines for the preamp and of course I can't find a data sheet for this drive. I am trying to refine my failure analysis techniques rather then using the process of elimination when ever possible. Looking for some hints here.

I hate sourcing for parts