Identify debug pins in Sandisk thumb drive - picture inside

[deftrue]

Hello there,

Could anyone help me on identifying the debug outputs from this 64 GB SanDisk thumb drive (see attached image, pads are numbered)? USB pads are totally distroyed and tracks go underneath the surface (it's at least a 3-layer PCB).

Thanks in advance

Attachments

SanDisk 64 GB thumb drive

[dick]

Hola!

No sorry I can't answer your question.

I took a look at the photo and it looks like you can still see the through pcb tracks so I think you have to remove the usb connector. Do you mean they don't appear on the other side? Anyway it looks to me you can still carefully remove the pcb varnish and expose enough copper to solder some fine wire to the data lines. Connections to +5v and ground should be easy straight forward.

[deftrue]

Hi there, mate!

Thanks for the answer. No, I don't see the tracks or any pads on the other side. They go somewhere in the middle of the board. Tracks are vanished on USB connections, and before trying to remove the varnish, I'd like to see if I can try something else, like using those debug pins or something. I'm curious about those small holes (which do not go through to the other side) beside the USB data lines, as they look like they could be shorted to each corresponding USB data line, but I can't really tell from what I see on the surface if they should be shorted or not. Besides, currently they are not, and they seem to be shorted between them.

Thanks. Still trying!

[arvika]

In many cases broken PCB can be repaired. Please add more detailed photo. With this pins you probably do nothing with it.

[HaQue]

Hi,
Ironically I was hooking equipment up to pins last night and this morning to try and see what they do. That research isnt available to talk about yet.

Sandisk are a strange bunch. Sometimes you can transplant the mem chip to a donor board and get data.

Some are encrypted, but others you can desolder NAND and recover in the usual way.

The PCBs are normally 4 layers and important care to route the traces between the layers is advised as seen in some data sheets.

I dont think the pins are going to help you, you might be able to do some fine PCB work, or get a donor board.

[Izualim]

I believe those holes could be test points used during manufacturing process, they won't help you, the easiest and fastest you can do is to search for the data lines of the connector ( the two in the middle ) there must be at least a little bit left of copper where you can wire fine cables as explained before, GND and VCC shouldn't be a problem to find on the other side and wire.

[Izualim]

These data lines are underneath the connector, you have to remove the connector carefully to be able to see them.