Microsoldering guy but TOTAL HDD NOOB! Please help!!

[f-bone]

Hi guys,

Congrats to you and these forums for all the knowledge you provide.

I need your help with my USB-only WD10JMVW. It stopped working a while ago and I thought I should try to repair it myself and get the data back.

I ordered a 2060-771961-001 Rev A PCB and swapped the U12 roms (we do board level repair to macbooks, laptops, iphones so I am comfortable with soldering).

It is now detected by the computer as WD Elements drive and I can hear it spinn and make "normal" noises but it won't come up in Windows Explorer (or Disk Management).

I know I am definetely missing something being a total noob but maybe you guys can point me to the right direction. There are vast amounts of info that I simply cannot digest quickly enough.

Thank you in advance!

BR,
George

[Lardman]

It is now detected by the computer as WD Elements drive and I can hear it spinn and make "normal" noises but it won't come up in Windows Explorer (or Disk Management).

Do you still have the original PCB?

What does something a little more DR based make of it - rstudio/ufs/dmde ?

[f-bone]

It is now detected by the computer as WD Elements drive and I can hear it spinn and make "normal" noises but it won't come up in Windows Explorer (or Disk Management).

Do you still have the original PCB?

What does something a little more DR based make of it - rstudio/ufs/dmde ?

hi!

yes I have the original PCB but I haven't tried anything else - just googled rstudio and I am downloading the free version now.

I will install it and then try to see what it does.

How is the original PCB useful?

br,
george

[labtech]

The files are hardware encrypted from the factory, or there are other problems with the drive. Typically, both apply.

[f-bone]

The files are hardware encrypted from the factory, or there are other problems with the drive. Typically, both apply.

can this be solved? the encryption part.. what further actions would a professional take? also if the encryption applies shouldn't it at least be visible to the computer as a drive? not just as a USB device?

apologies for the questions bombardment. If you guys say its done, then its done.

[unknown]

Hi guys,

Congrats to you and these forums for all the knowledge you provide.

I need your help with my USB-only WD10JMVW. It stopped working a while ago and I thought I should try to repair it myself and get the data back.

I ordered a 2060-771961-001 Rev A PCB and swapped the U12 roms (we do board level repair to macbooks, laptops, iphones so I am comfortable with soldering).

It is now detected by the computer as WD Elements drive and I can hear it spinn and make "normal" noises but it won't come up in Windows Explorer (or Disk Management).

I know I am definetely missing something being a total noob but maybe you guys can point me to the right direction. There are vast amounts of info that I simply cannot digest quickly enough.


Thank you in advance!

BR,
George

You have to transfer U14 and U12 from patient to donor PCB.

[f-bone]

Hi guys,

Congrats to you and these forums for all the knowledge you provide.

I need your help with my USB-only WD10JMVW. It stopped working a while ago and I thought I should try to repair it myself and get the data back.

I ordered a 2060-771961-001 Rev A PCB and swapped the U12 roms (we do board level repair to macbooks, laptops, iphones so I am comfortable with soldering).

It is now detected by the computer as WD Elements drive and I can hear it spinn and make "normal" noises but it won't come up in Windows Explorer (or Disk Management).

I know I am definetely missing something being a total noob but maybe you guys can point me to the right direction. There are vast amounts of info that I simply cannot digest quickly enough.


Thank you in advance!

BR,
George

You have to transfer U14 and U12 from patient to donor PCB.

thank you, I only moved U12 as various people online suggested only U12 is necessary.. should I try?

[Lardman]

How is the original PCB useful?

You have to transfer U14 and U12 from patient to donor PCB.

the encryption part.. what further actions would a professional take?

Try to fixed the original board, then converted over to sata and then run it via DE to handle the decryption.

also if the encryption applies shouldn't it at least be visible to the computer as a drive? not just as a USB device?

The drive is visible - what makes you think the partition information wouldn't be encrypted ?

If you have a look in the hex editor of rstudio you'll see data - but it will all be encrypted.

[northwind]

should I try?

Ναι.

[f-bone]

guys your involvement is overwhelming. thank you!

Ill transfer U14 and let you know!

[f-bone]

ok I have swapped U14 and U12, the disc is now shown as a "USB drive (E:)" [greayed out] and when I click on it it says "Please insert a disk in USB drive E:".

In Rstudio it shows up as Generic External 0101 with all options greyed out.

Is this the end my only friends?

[f-bone]

hi guys,

I think couple of my messages got lost.

First of all thank you for all your efforts, your support is overwhelming.

I moved both chips U12-U14 and now Im getting a grayed out "USB Drive E:" and "Insert disk to USB Drive" when I click on it.

is this the end?

[labtech]

The files are hardware encrypted from the factory, or there are other problems with the drive. Typically, both apply.

can this be solved? the encryption part.. what further actions would a professional take? also if the encryption applies shouldn't it at least be visible to the computer as a drive? not just as a USB device?

If there are no other issues, the drive would be visible on a computer and in data recovery software. However, there is a good chance the data are encrypted, therefore the software would be able to decypher the information.

Professionals typically use advanced tools, like PC3000, to decrypt on the fly by loading the encryption keys from modules within the drive's firmware.

Some people have had success with ReallyMine, but not sure if it will work on in your case.

As far as transferring the U14 chip, in your case it would not be possible, as your SATA PCB does not have a U14 chip. Our friend likely thought you were working with USB based donor PCB.

Since you are in Greece, send it to Northwind (he posted here in the thread in greek), and you will receive professional service.
Make sure you send the drive's original ROM. Perhaps, you can leave it as is on the SATA PCB. Just put a little note in your package explaining what is what.

[unknown]

+1 Northwind

[fzabkar]

What was wrong with the original PCB? Did the drive spin up?

[f-bone]

I waited for so long for the new PCB to arrive that I can't remember what it was doing before. I went straight to the U12 and then U14 swapping (there is a U14 as it is written on the PCB - both PCBs are USB only).

So basically I also need some software for decrypting the data even though I swapped both ICs to the new board. I believed it would be more straightforward like swapping the PCBs, ICs and voila.

I will consider Northwind but I really hoped to do this myself, both for the experience and saving some money.

thank you guys! please give me a last push towards some freeware/demo that would help me decrypt the data.

[labtech]

Tthank you guys! please give me a last push towards some freeware/demo that would help me decrypt the data.

If you are working with USB PCB, then the decryption happens on the fly. No need for software.
If you don't see the main volume with data by mounting or via data recovery software, then there is something else wrong with the drive.

[f-bone]

ok thank you very much! I will consider a professional solution then - the data is "semi" important so we'll see.

thank you guys. And if you ever need some help with data recovery from iPhones or 2018+ Macbooks with dead motherboard (this is where we are good at) we would be happy to help.

this is us: https://www.facebook.com/repairlab.gr

thanks again!

[pcimage]

+1 Northwind

+2 Northwind