WD3200AAJS bad PCB

[BladeGR]

Hi,

I have the following HDD:
WD3200AAJS - 60M0A0
PCB: 2060-701590-000 REV A

We were replacing an old computer with a new one and took the above HDD out of the old computer to attach using a USB/SATA adapter and transfer the files. Well the drive did not spin up and the computer reported it needs formatting. My first thought was bad PCB for sudden failure?

Having another WD3200AAJS spare I was hoping a PCB transfer would work. The PCB was slightly different 2060-701590-001 REV A, the drive now spins up but the computer will not detect it. I managed to find another same drive with exactly the same PCB 2060-701590-000 REV A. This is not spare but I used the PCB to test and again the drive spins up but nothing else.

Reading around it seems swapping the same PCB is not enough and it may need the ROM chip transferring or firmware copying. Looking on the PCB I see no chip at the area marked U12 which I have seen people refer to is the chip to transfer.

I did put the suspected dead PCB on the working spare drive and that drive also did not spin up and again was asked to format. After putting back its own PCB it worked normally.

Can anybody please offer advice on what options I have if any. How can I confirm if it is the PCB or not. If it is do I have any hope of using the spare PCB 2060-701590-001 REV A and getting it to work with the drive.

Thanks

[Matiw]

From the info below, I believe that your HDD has at least a PCB problem. It could also have some other problems.

Hi,

I have the following HDD:
WD3200AAJS - 60M0A0
PCB: 2060-701590-000 REV A

We were replacing an old computer with a new one and took the above HDD out of the old computer to attach using a USB/SATA adapter and transfer the files. Well the drive did not spin up and the computer reported it needs formatting. My first thought was bad PCB for sudden failure?

Having another WD3200AAJS spare I was hoping a PCB transfer would work. The PCB was slightly different 2060-701590-001 REV A, the drive now spins up but the computer will not detect it. I managed to find another same drive with exactly the same PCB 2060-701590-000 REV A. This is not spare but I used the PCB to test and again the drive spins up but nothing else.

Reading around it seems swapping the same PCB is not enough and it may need the ROM chip transferring or firmware copying. Looking on the PCB I see no chip at the area marked U12 which I have seen people refer to is the chip to transfer.

I did put the suspected dead PCB on the working spare drive and that drive also did not spin up and again was asked to format. After putting back its own PCB it worked normally.

Can anybody please offer advice on what options I have if any. How can I confirm if it is the PCB or not. If it is do I have any hope of using the spare PCB 2060-701590-001 REV A and getting it to work with the drive.

Thanks

[mr_spokk]

Hi, you'll need adaptive transfer from the old board...as the old board don't have an external U12 chip you'll need to either read the adaptives out from the masked rom inside the Marvell chip or read it out from the SA...both those things is not DIY.
So I would recommend you to seek out a Datarecovery company in your area for the ROM transfer, take contact with member Nortwind, he's in Greece.
And keep fingers crossed that it's only a Pcb problem...could be internal as well.

[northwind]

Hi,

Happy to take a look if you wish.
Assuming there is no internal damage to the drive, it shouldn't be that expensive, at THIS point.

[fzabkar]

Measure the resistances of the following components. That will help us to determine if there was an overvoltage.

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/bi ... diodes.jpg

[BladeGR]

Thanks for the info everyone, I will try to get those readings. Northwind, what do you propose, are you suggesting to transfer the ROM to another PCB? How can I get in touch directly.

Thanks.

[northwind]

You can't transfer the "ROM", since it is masked inside the M chip. In order to get this to work, you need expensive equipment and know-how.

If you want to get in touch, use the link on my signature and then contact us.
We will evaluate the drive for free and give you a special hddguru discount.