Looking for a SanDisk Cruzer Donor

[ddrecovery]

I have a SanDisk Cruzer that was run over by a car. Lost the connector and several SMD's. Tried to hard wire but its not be recognized. Completed chip off but chip has lots of ECC errors. I am hoping that using the original controller (if it still works) might give me a better result. So I am looking for a donor. It is not one I have in stock. Its BGA and all my other boards are either TSOP or have the connector on the opposite side. I wanted an exact match just to make sure we are giving oursleves the best chance.

SanDisk Cruzer Glide 16GB SDCZ60-016G (BL150325152B)

Any help is appreciated.

Attachments

[jeremyb]

I am hoping that using the original controller (if it still works) might give me a better result..

It might help if you give us the controller model number

I think I can do it if you get stuck..

[Amarbir[CDR-Labs]]

Hi ,
Whats your plan to shift the controller ?

[pcimage]

Regarding the bit errors, if you have soft center tool (FE) did you try the "auto retry"?

[jeremyb]

Regarding the bit errors, if you have soft center tool (FE) did you try the "auto retry"?

Sean: Not saying what you're saying is stupid, he's having ECC issues doing an off chip

This is stupid, using off chip for everything is like a mechanic only knowing how to use a wrench, so frustrating. Courses should be taught on how to recover flash drives without off-chip. Anyone want to sign up?

Tim, you are getting much better at this.. I'm proud of you
I miss the business though. Always fix SanDisk, never off chip them. For your own sanity.

If I'm reading the PCB correctly all the missing parts are caps minus a fuse/resistor to the right.
The SMD on the top by the clock looks loose, that's absolutely required.
Try staggering the soldering job to the data lines they may short.
Left of the controller by the cap, what kind of damage is that? repairable with magnet wire?

[ddrecovery]

Hi All

Appreciate the help: I will try to answer all the questions.

Controller model# 82-00523-5
I am hoping the controller is good and I can still use it.
PC3K and VNR both have read reties varying voltage, not sure if SC can help, but may be my next purchase.

We did try to fix the PCB, its always the first thing we do. Some of the SMD's were replaced initially, but some subsequently may have come loose with the chip off, so what you see may not be representative of the original condition of the board. The board was twisted when it arrived. I think the solder pads have been torn away from the board on the top right. I have not checked the pinout for this chip so don't know if they are needed. But as the board was twisted I think a donor may be the best choice.

jeremyb: I may send it to you (just like the old days lol). The cap to the left of the controller is okay. Might be just the light/angle. And yes if you held a class (could be online?) about your experience with repairing boards I would definitely sign up. In fact I bet I could get a little posse together.

[fzabkar]

As jeremyb says, this seems like a trivial job for a DIY-er. No need for the typical chip-off kneejerk.

Attachments

missing_parts.jpg (103.27 KiB) Viewed 16570 times

[arvika]

In Sandisk very often soldering pads crack near controller. You can see it easy with microscope 30x.

[ddrecovery]

As jeremyb says, this seems like a trivial job for a DIY-er. No need for the typical chip-off kneejerk.

Not sure how a flash drive that was run over by a car, with a twisted board, with solder pads torn away is a trivial job for a DIY-er. We did replace the components where applicable but the drive wouldn't read. Trust me a chip off is always a last resort as its far more work and does not guarantee a recovery. It could be that the controller has been damaged.

[fzabkar]

We did try to fix the PCB, its always the first thing we do. Some of the SMD's were replaced initially, but some subsequently may have come loose with the chip off,...

ISTM that you may not have replaced the important SMD(s), or that you installed them in incorrect locations, or that your soldering was poor.

[ddrecovery]

We did try to fix the PCB, its always the first thing we do. Some of the SMD's were replaced initially, but some subsequently may have come loose with the chip off,...

ISTM that you may not have replaced the important SMD(s), or that you installed them in incorrect locations, or that your soldering was poor.

WOW franc, you need a day off fella . We did replace all the important SMD's (and I stress replace, not take them off mix them up and put them back randomly), and installed them in the correct locations. I am also IPC qualified and a Master Cellphone Technician (aka lots of soldering classes) so none of your 'assumptions' are correct.

[jeremyb]

From my experience, to SanDisk's credit, most SanDisk UFD's don't require off-chip work. Which is good because they tend to be a PITA.
I think the critique comes the PCB looking like it's intact aside from some missing components.
Usually, with "car" damage the memory chip is cracked, your's isn't so why is the PCB bad?
I see some lifted N/C pads which can be normal and missing passives.

I'm doing research on the latest generation of SanDisk read commands, perhaps you're chip is one of these chips, it would explain all the errors. Or perhaps the chip isn't being read properly in your reader.

Have you tried buying flash drives from different vendors...
Amazon, Ebay, NewEgg, etc.
That's what I do when I'm looking for donor media.

Did you try reballing the chip with new balls and attaching it again?

[ddrecovery]

From my experience, to SanDisk's credit, most SanDisk UFD's don't require off-chip work. Which is good because they tend to be a PITA.
I think the critique comes the PCB looking like it's intact aside from some missing components.
Usually, with "car" damage the memory chip is cracked, your's isn't so why is the PCB bad?
I see some lifted N/C pads which can be normal and missing passives.

I'm doing research on the latest generation of SanDisk read commands, perhaps you're chip is one of these chips, it would explain all the errors. Or perhaps the chip isn't being read properly in your reader.

Have you tried buying flash drives from different vendors...
Amazon, Ebay, NewEgg, etc.
That's what I do when I'm looking for donor media.

Did you try reballing the chip with new balls and attaching it again?

Yep, I fully understand that SanDisk's are a PITA. Maybe we missed something on the repair of the board, or the controller took most of the hit and has failed which would explain that we cannot get it to come live. The board was twisted and the pads were lifted from under the chip so while it may look okay in the picture the controller may have been damaged.

We reassemble the board and replaced the chip over the weekend but it will not read. We also read the chip with both the VNR and PC3K readers with the same errors, so this maybe the new gen chip as you say.

I have not purchased several of these yet as I was hoping someone might have one handy, but will be doing that today. As always thanks for the constructive advice.

[jeremyb]

How did you determine the controller is bad?
I know it makes no sense but I've had some luck swapping newer SanDisk controllers from similar generations (ie: not identical)

[ddrecovery]

How did you determine the controller is bad?
I know it makes no sense but I've had some luck swapping newer SanDisk controllers from similar generations (ie: not identical)

Well if the board is not bad (it is 4 layers so more than likely damaged by the car) then I have to assume its controller.

[rogfanther]

Maybe it is just a shot in the dark, but have you tried to replace the crystal ( ressonator ) ? I have had success with some drives that were dropped/mistreated in some way and not recognized anymore.

A replacement of the crystal ( more in the "what the hech, let´s try it " idea ) made them live again ....

[ddrecovery]

Maybe it is just a shot in the dark, but have you tried to replace the crystal ( ressonator ) ? I have had success with some drives that were dropped/mistreated in some way and not recognized anymore.

A replacement of the crystal ( more in the "what the hech, let´s try it " idea ) made them live again ....

Hi, Yes we did replace this as part of our initial evaluation.

[fzabkar]

Measure the voltages at the capacitors. That should tell you whether the controller's regulators are working.

[ddrecovery]

Measure the voltages at the capacitors. That should tell you whether the controller's regulators are working.

All caps have voltages varying between 5V 3.3v and about 1v.

[jeremyb]

1v or 1.8v please verify..