Seagate ST3500418AS (doesn't spin up)

[mrzee]

Hi guys,

PROBLEM: since this morning my PC wouldn't boot, HDD defective. I've got an external SATA-USB connector, so I hooked up the drive, connect power, but it just sits there, not even spinning up. (yesterday it still worked ok tho).

The drive itself
Seagate "ST3500418AS"
Firmware CC38.


Now, I've checked the broken HDD's PCB to see if I could find defects, but everything looks normal (no burn parts). I've got a few other Seagate drives with the same product nr. capacity and PCB, but they all have a different firmware (CC37, CC46).

So I've checked this forum (and google) to find a way to know what is wrong. I presume some parts died on the PCB due to old age. Also when I swapped PCB's with the other drives, I just spins up like normal. (one better then the other, but thats def the calibration). My other drives still work ok after placing PCB's back.

So now I know almost 4 sure my data is still intact on the drive. Is there a way to know what parts on the PCB could be defective, and can I measure them with a Multimeter?

I'm rather good at soldering, electronics etc... but I'm def. no expert when it comes to HDD electronics. Already learned a lot on this forum tho!

Thx all

[einstein9]

Since you dono

Contact: Marc , Dobre he is closer n Pro. on this

[mr_spokk]

Hi, Send Marc a PM: member5963.html He can help you with your drive.

Regards/ Bosse

[mrzee]

Thx Guys!! Will do.

Also found a second CC38 drive today, but no luck yet... I'll keep you posted.

[pcimage]

All 7200.11 and 7200.12 PCB's are unique, even the serial number is programmed into it.

[fzabkar]

See http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/TVS_diode_FAQ.html

You need to measure the 5V and 12V TVS diodes:
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST ... 2V_TVS.jpg
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST ... uctors.jpg

If you need to swap the PCB, then move the 8-pin serial flash memory IC from patient to donor:
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST ... 5V_TVS.jpg

The following supplier does it all (PCB + transfer) for US$50:
http://www.onepcbsolution.com/seagate-b ... 20012.html

[mrzee]

Hehe, thx pcimage and fzabkar, already fixed it.
(Why pay $50 if I can do it myself I can solder just fine, just needed to know what to (de-)solder.)

Just swapped the 8-pin serial flash mem IC, and there it went.... copying my data as we speak

Maybe I can swap the diodes on the "defective" board and replace the Memory IC back again. So I would have both disks running again. But hey, I got my data, and that is what counts the most for me.

I'm a producer after hours and IT/Electronics guy during, I do make double backups (Orig disk + NAS + external drive). And still wasn't enough. So I'm stoked I got my 5 days of lost productions back!


1000x thx to Marc and this forum!!! You guys doing a hell of a great job!!

edit: also forgot to mention, I did got a hold of a CC38 board thx to a friend of mine.

[albertOS]

Hello,

I have the same hdd, not detected by bios. I measured the inductors and they haven't 5v (0v) and the TVS diode has 12v
Do you think I can solve the problem swapping the pcb?

*mrzee* can you explain how solve this problem without another pcb?

Thanks!

[labtech]

All the info has been provided in the posts in the thread. Just have to take the time to read carefully.

[fzabkar]

albertOS,

Replace any open circuited inductors with a wire link, and remove any shorted TVS diode.

[albertOS]

Thanks to all, I solved the problem.