I'm plannig to swap the PCBs from a working Hitachi 400 GB IDE to a dead patient which is the same model (after swapping the ROM-Chips). The P/N is 0A30228 on both, but the PCBs are not exactly the same (see attached pictures). The MCU is slightly different (Patient: SAB-M3054C21 vs. Donor: SAB-M3054C21-G). The sticker shows 0A30269 BA1148_... (Donor) vs. 0A30269 BA1148A (Patient).

There is an offer at eBay for the same PCB of the patient, but from a drive with damaged platters/heads.

Which PCB is the better choice.


There are two EEPROMs on the PCB. Is the 8pin IC left to the Memorychip the one to be transferred?

At a minimum you need to transfer the "NVRAM" at U5 (S93C76 / RL76). If the firmware doesn't match, then you will also need to transfer the "ROM" at U7 (25FV051T / SST45LF010). It would be safest to transfer both at the same time.

What is wrong with your drive?

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

The HDD is not spinning. But this happend almost 10 eyears ago and I made a bad mistake (https://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19331). Now I have a working drive as possible donor and can purchase an almost identical PCB, but from a damaged HDD. I don't know what's the better option.

Any suggestions if it's better to use the slightly different PCB from the working drive or the very similar form the damaged drive?

it depends on how very similar it is.

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Good, that you asked.
Attached is the posted picture of it. I think it matches the PCB of the patient very well.

But I was surprised to read very different P/N and MLC numbers in the description:

Offer:
S/N: RAH6L64C
P/N: 13G0521
MLC: BA1222
Made in: Thailand
PCB Revision: B 0A30261 01
PCB Sticker: 0A30269 BA1148A
PCB Main Chip: 0A29004 SAB-M3054-G21

Patient:
S/N: RAGVJYEC
P/N: 0A30228
MLC: BA1246
Made in: Thailand
PCB Revision: F 0A30261 01
PCB Sticker: 0A30269 BA1148A
PCB Main Chip: 0A29004 SAB-M3054-G21

Possible Donor:
S/N: RAGEKMWC
P/N: 030228
MLC: BA1246
Made in: Thailand
PCB Revision: F 0A30261 01
PCB Sticker: 0A30269 BA1148
PCB Main Chip: 0A29004 SAB-M3054

(A better arrangement is attached as a PDF-table)

The PCB Revision is described as B 0A30261 01, but the picture shows F 0A30261 01, so maybe the description of the P/N and MLC are also wrong, or the picture shows a different PCB. I have to contact the seller.

Is it possible, that the same PCB is mounted on different HDD revisions? And does it matter for swapping the PCBs?

I think the "ROM" at U7 25FV051T of your "patient" PCB is burn. You have to change it with the same from a donor having same number on the second row .

From aliexpress ...

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

You think U7 is damaged? Then the same may be true for U7 on the OCB offered at Ebay, because it looks like it is in the same condition. I already ordered this one, because the seller responded to my inquiry and told me the "B" at the PCB Revision was only a typo and the P/N and MLC shouldn't matter if only the PCB is replaced.

If damaged, the firmware on it won't be readable on both PCBs. I'm not sure what firmware it was originally. I found an old HD Tach test, saved as HDS724040KLAT80_KFAOA46A.hdc. "KFAOA46A" is perhaps the firmware number. Or is it written on the sticker at the front side of the drive? It reads "KRFA06".

Anyway, I planned the read the ROMs on a EEPROMer before resoldering on the other PCB. Then I will have certainty.

BE VERY CAREFUL. The LE25FV051T has VCC and GND on pins 2 and 7, not 8 and 4 as most other serial flash memories.

http://pdf.datasheetcatalog.com/datasheets2/15/155977_1.pdf

"KFAOA46A" is the firmware version reported via Identify Device.

I believe the "KRF" in "KRFA06" is a reference to the code name for the family (Kurofune), as is the leading "KF" in the firmware version.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

Thank you for this important information.