Data recovery and disk repair questions and discussions related to old-fashioned SATA, SAS, SCSI, IDE, MFM hard drives - any type of storage device that has moving parts
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Hitachi - HTS543232L9A300 - dead PCB

May 11th, 2011, 18:04

Hi to everyone :)

I've got a hitachi hdd of which pcb is dead (hdd "works" with another pcb, but obviously it is not working the way it should be, as pcb is not compatible, but it gives me sort of idea, that it is not hard drive itself, but pcb).
Is it possible to get exactly same pcb and replace it with dead one to get data off of the dead drive?
I've read on this forum, that basically I need to get the same model (HTS543232L9A300) and match the 2 top lines out of 4 on the sticker on the back of PCB, can someone confirm this please?

thanks

Re: Hitachi - HTS543232L9A300 - dead PCB

May 11th, 2011, 18:49

From what i've read about hitachi they can be fickle beasts.

When you say the drive "works" with another PCB can you clarify in what sense?
(bios detection, init, power up, spinning, read/write etc)

It is possible to get a matching PCB and recover the data off of the drive if the following conditions are met:

1. you have the knowledge of the drives firmware
2. you have replacement parts that are known good (heads/pcb/motor etc)
3. it takes knowledge and special tools in order to perform a successful recovery.
4. no damage exists on the platters (scratches / head strike / stiction etc)

Even having a known good PCB and Known good head stack hard drives are precision machines and performing a board swap
could possible fry the preamp and or other vital components causing more damage if done incorrectly. Can you scan and upload pictures
of the drive and PCB top and bottom??

If the data is important i would suggest sending it to a professional as most DIY solutions are not feasible without the knowledge and
proper tools for diagnosis and recovery.

Re: Hitachi - HTS543232L9A300 - dead PCB

May 12th, 2011, 3:11

You cannot simply exchange PCB's on Hitachi drives, they contain UNIQUE info in the NVRAM chip.

It may be possible to DIY by moving the NVRAM chip to a good/compatible PCB, but please be warned that these chips are tiny and delicate. Damage this and recovery costs go up x10

Re: Hitachi - HTS543232L9A300 - dead PCB

May 13th, 2011, 5:12

So you have to consider if your data is really important or not :mrgreen:
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