Hi,

Thank you for this great forum!

here's my problem:
my company had whis WD 2500JS that got it fried.
As usual this hdd contained informations (about 200mb (megabytes yep!) of an old database).

I bought another 2500JS and tried the pcb swap tried to make it spin up but from the video i posted below u can see what's happening.
Googling around i understood that i must move the U12 rom.

but:

I have to RECOVER those files and i must be certain to not make a mess:
If i move this U12 rom, i've read here it may be working again (western-digital-wd2500js-t21039.html#p140950)

this is the original PCB that got VERY fried



and this is what i get with ONLY THE PCB swap whitout U12 ROM SWAP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRSAoJFw9bI


How I should move from now on?
-try the U12 swap?

i just wanna know if i go the U12 swap and the hdd is still not working, those recovery services can still access to the disk or this U12 swap can mess the whole disk a lot more?

thank you for your time

Simply put, there could be other problems in addition to just the PCB being damaged.
Can't tell this for sure until certain more advanced tests are run.
Can the ROM chip swap cause further damage? Not in theory, but again we have to be precise about what kind of damage exactly? Damage to the data, damage to the PCB, damage to the drive, etc., what exactly?

If there is user mistake and let's say the ROM chip gets damaged beyond ability to repair it, the data could still be recovered, though likely only by a professional.

Either way, the idea is that any further actions that makes things more difficult in the recovery process will cause for the project to become more and more expensive once in the hands of a professional.

_________________
Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD, SATA, NVMe, etc), USB Flash Drive and RAID Data Recovery Specialist in Massachusetts

thank You very much,

I had the same sad result after the rom swap: spin, 3xhead cling, stop spinning, 2xhead cling, and power off.

So I shipped my hdd to a recovery center.

sad day....and 850€ less....

thank You btw!

In addition to what labtech says above and with which I totally agree, the damage itself by visally looking at the photos, could mean the preamp died as well (ie. head change needed).
The sound on your video sounds like a bad preamp too, but cant be sure.

Regarding your question about moving U12, this is the first step that needs to be done, but you must make sure your soldering skills are up to it, because if you mess things up, you can end up with a LOT of mess. An average electronics tech can do this for you. If the U12 transfer is done properly and drive still clicks, then the preamp is dead and it is game over for DIY.

Remember, these drives have alignment issues, so if someone not skilled enough opens the top lid, then things will become VERY complicated.

I suggest you have someone move over the U12 chip for you and if drive doesn't wake up, then, if you really need your data, consult a pro. If you decide so, we can recommend highly respected professionals from your area who can handle this for you.

Good luck.

PS. Remember, bad preamp could also cause your new pcb to get damaged as well.

_________________
http://www.northwind.gr
SandForce SSD Recovery
Ransomware Reverse Engineering - NoMoreRansom! partners

edit: Ah, I see you posted a reply while I was typing.

Good choice to stop your tinkering and consult a pro.

_________________
http://www.northwind.gr
SandForce SSD Recovery
Ransomware Reverse Engineering - NoMoreRansom! partners

No problem

Best wishes

_________________
Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD, SATA, NVMe, etc), USB Flash Drive and RAID Data Recovery Specialist in Massachusetts

This forum ROCKS! You all are awesome!

thank you so much! Finding good people who do help is rare nowadays!

cheers from italy.

p.s. i choose http://www.infolabdata.it/ for my problem (this is an hint for any italian user who is in search of a good recovery service) (if this link is forbidden by forum rules i'll edit this msg)

I'm an IT specialist and i learned the hard way when to stop
now i'm calling quits whenever legal issues may face up!

cheers everyone!

Heeee...

_________________
Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD, SATA, NVMe, etc), USB Flash Drive and RAID Data Recovery Specialist in Massachusetts

Or when to start --> Backing Up!

Failing to backup if you are in charge of a firm can get you in hot waters! If that was part of your job description.

nope! I'm totally lead footed when money is in the game.
this time i was the tech called to solve the issue...that was not my drive, neither my job drive but a customer one....lucky me!

long story short: in 2007 i instructed the customer that WON'T be a efficent neither a safe solution to have his job IT dep set up, he insisted...to pay less. no raid, no nas, no backup....relying on a 100mb zip drive he didn't put the cartridge in...log in hand...i laughed hard in his face shovin those papers at him when he started to flame like a volcano....PRICELESS!