Data recovery and disk repair questions and discussions related to old-fashioned SATA, SAS, SCSI, IDE, MFM hard drives - any type of storage device that has moving parts
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Need help identifying TVS diode

November 7th, 2014, 22:37

Ok so I've worked in the computer industry for over ten years but this is my first time actually modifying a hard drive pcb to try and get it to work so I feel very dumb in a field i normally feel very smart in lol. So, I plug the hard drive into an external source and the power light will blink, so it's lead to me believe it may be the tvs diode. (only judging from what I've been reading) I've attached pics of the board, which ones should I test?

thanks for helping a noob!!!
Attachments
IMG_0103.JPG
IMG_0102.JPG

Re: Need help identifying TVS diode

November 8th, 2014, 5:49

Bottom left corner of the second pic (when you open it), what happened to that diode there? :wink:

Re: Need help identifying TVS diode

November 8th, 2014, 6:39

northwind wrote:Bottom left corner of the second pic (when you open it), what happened to that diode there? :wink:


TVS.jpg

Re: Need help identifying TVS diode

November 8th, 2014, 17:27

It's the foam stuck to it that goes between the drive and the pcb, ive peeled it off now would you like another pic? thanks for your input here

Re: Need help identifying TVS diode

November 9th, 2014, 18:22

If a TVS is burned you can (and should) most likely use your nose to find it. However, I cannot see any indication of burn marks on the PCB.

What makes you think it's a TVS?

Does the drive spin-up, make any noise at all?

Re: Need help identifying TVS diode

November 10th, 2014, 4:51

To check a tvs you just need to use a multimeter. Usually you select diode test. If it shows a short (continuity) in both directions then it is faulty and needs removing. After removal check the pads on the pcb to make sure the short circuit has been removed. At this point it would be possible to use the board without a tvs fitted but my advice would be to replace it from a donor drive before powering on. Good luck!

Re: Need help identifying TVS diode

November 10th, 2014, 6:04

After removing the foam, does the diode look burnt or...?

You should use a multimeter and do what dick says on those two diodes there.
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