Samsung HM160HC spins up and then back down

[andy29]

Hello, I have a Samsung HM160HC (160 GB, 5400 rpm, PATA laptop drive) which was working up until yesterday. Now when I power the computer on, it spins up for about five seconds, then it stops again and the hard drive light flashes on/off every second or so. And that's how it stays. I've tried it on another computer with a USB to IDE adapter and it does the same thing.

I know nobody can give an absolute diagnosis with only that information but I just wondered if anyone would have any general idea what might be wrong. It is not clunking like bad drives seem to, but being a quiet laptop drive, would you hear it?

The data was only semi-important but it's still hugely irritating.

Is there any chance it could just be the PCB?

Thanks for any help.

[BlackST]

... Now when I power the computer on, it spins up for about five seconds, then it stops again and the hard drive light flashes on/off every second or so.

...

Is there any chance it could just be the PCB?

NO.