Hi, this is the situation:

I have a Seagate Barracuda 500GB ST3500412AS, it's not working and I need to recover files from this hdd.
I went to a local Hdd recovery company, but the price was too expensive for me.
I started to figure it out how to restore data, I realized PCB is absolutly dead, so I tried to buy a new one in hddzone.
They told me I will need a "firmware transfer" with the new pcb, and when I'm going to remove the bios chip from the dead pcb I founded that the bios chip was already remove (I think the Hdd recovery company stole the chip).
So here's the situation: my new pcb was tested with a ST3500418AS and when I connect it to the Hdd the motherboard bios recognize it but its size is 0GB.
I cannot upgrade or change firmware from the new pcb, always get "incorrect model" error message.
Any help will be usefull, thanks.

Dead end. Need a pro intervention and I have a feeling it will not be cheap.

I've trying to flash ST3500418PCB with CC35 (ST3500412AS lastest firmware) but "incorrect model" message always appear.
Can I edit .LOD or .LST files to bypass this validation?

Do you still need data from that drive ? If YES, please stop.
I think you have read something from the internet and nothing is gonna stop you...

Yes, I'm still need data from my hdd and I've reading from internet, that's why I'm here asking for help. If that's the only answer i can get in this forum, it isn't worth it. I thought I could get something a little more useful. Thanks anyway.

You've got to get the missing chip from the HD company.

That was very unethical for them to remove it. Totally wrong!

Jon

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http://www.datasaversllc.com

...otherwise, without the chip, ask a pro. It won't be cheap, but it is possible. NO it is not possible to help you the way you probably want (for free and here).
@jono, must first know what exactly happened. Now you get why I don't want the fried pcb neither I want to know if there was an attempt to swap pcb? I charge diagnose fee in any case, deducted if I do the job, but I always assume I don't have pcb or flash is gone. Period.

Pro help is needed. The intersnetz and other fourms ain't gonna help here. Sorry.

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On a clear disk you can seek forever.

Get a quote from Seagate authorized company (including missing chip recovery) and summons these bastards for additional costs incured. They have no defense.

Post picture of missing chip area, just to make sure you are on the right track