SandForge MCU on SSD

[shahij]

Received the following SSD

Intel 520 Series SSD - 180GB
MCU: SandForge

Symptom: No detection, after connecting I feel the MCU gets hot.
Discussed with someone, he said, this one can't be recovered, because after reading chip, data is found encrypted.

What's is your experience with this one? Any chance of recovery?

[HaQue]

No chance as far as I am concerned. SandForce apparently encrypt and do some data optimisation that absolutely needs the controller and firmware working properly. There are some companies on the internet that say they can do SandForce, and even that they have some special agreement or alliance or something with SandForce(which is actually Seagate) but I have yet to see any evidence of it, or hear any anecdotes at all to say someone recovered from a serious SandForce issue. I am just a single person though, so YMMV..

[fzabkar]

Measure the Vcore and Vio voltages for the controller. Upload a photo if you need help with this.

[data-medics]

These guys swear they can do them: http://www.datarecovery.net/

I say, send it in and see what happens. Just don't give them any money until they actually recover data, or you're probably getting hosed.

[DR-Kiev]

If original SandForce MCU dead, than nobody can help . Too many unique things inside.

[shahij]

Thanks for confirming. The case was taken back the next day after the post.

Thanks to all. The case is close.