MultiDrive – free backup, clone & wipe disk utility from Atola Technology

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Must I Change the NVRAM or "BIOS" Chip on the PCB?
PostPosted: May 26th, 2010, 15:41 
Offline

Joined: May 21st, 2010, 23:26
Posts: 15
Location: New Orleans
I have a Seagate Barracuda (ST31000528AS) with the infamous "burnout" issue on the PCB.
I've tracked down a replacement from none other than Mr Eric Lee, but he says on some drives I must solder on the BIOS chip from the old board. That leaves me with 2 questions:

a) Is this one of those drives?
b) Which chip is the BIOS chip?

_________________
Apple Store New Orleans


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Must I Change the NVRAM or "BIOS" Chip on the PCB?
PostPosted: May 28th, 2010, 8:32 
Offline

Joined: November 9th, 2006, 15:15
Posts: 2984
Apple New Orleans wrote:
I've tracked down a replacement from none other than Mr Eric Lee, but he says on some drives I must solder on the BIOS chip from the old board.


b) Which chip is the BIOS chip?



The fact you need to ask this tells me that you should probably not be working on this case on behalf of a client, and the fact you only know this because you were told by Eric Lee confirms it!

In answer to your question, the 'BIOS is actually the EEPROM and is a 8 leg chip found usually at the top left of the PCB, and yes it will need to be transferred. You should consider the initial problem that caused this damage, and be aware of the possibility that other issues may arise.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Must I Change the NVRAM or "BIOS" Chip on the PCB?
PostPosted: May 28th, 2010, 10:27 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: June 8th, 2006, 19:44
Posts: 3144
Location: Atlanta, GA
There is no Apple Store in New Orleans, and even if there were, it is against Apple's corporate policies for an employee to post to a public forum as such. So why are you posing?

_________________
http://www.datasaversllc.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Must I Change the NVRAM or "BIOS" Chip on the PCB?
PostPosted: May 28th, 2010, 10:45 
Offline

Joined: August 12th, 2008, 13:11
Posts: 3235
Location: USA
But why stop there when you can also use Apple logos and branding without permission and sell iPhone unlocking?

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


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Must I Change the NVRAM or "BIOS" Chip on the PCB?
PostPosted: May 28th, 2010, 21:05 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: September 8th, 2009, 18:21
Posts: 16960
Location: Australia
It may be much easier to fix your original board. It looks as if it has a shorted TVS diode on the 12V rail.The fix is to remove it with flush cutters. The drive will work without it, but it will no longer have overvoltage protection on the affected supply. For continued protection, you can replace the diode with a SMBJ12A from Mouser, Digikey, or Newark.

BTW, were you warned before your purchased the board that you would need to swap the PROM?


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 45 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group