Charer - Unocking SA access

[yco]

Hi everyone!

I got WD20SDZW-11JJ8S0 drive with mangled heads. Replaced MHA and it actually comes up ready and fully functional.
Problem is, there is a lot of data to be recovered, and I don't want to risk it going bananas.
No SA access in Normal or Kernel mode. I backed up ROM using external reader.
I ordered an "unlocked" PCB for this family. I tried to use the same technique as with Palmer drives, but I can't access SA using this board and compatible loader.
What are the steps to unlock it?
Thanks,
Pawel.

[northwind]

Hi

Generally, the procedure is the same as Palmers, so with an unlocked PCB you should be able to get access to SA. Maybe your unlocked PCB isn't unlocked after all.
Anyway, try to read sectors through the utility, and see if you get 00 00 instead of data. If you get 00 00, then either the heads aren't compatible or translator is gone and you're in for a very long journey.

[yco]

I ordered PCB from https://www.hddheadtools.com/product-ca ... lock-pcbs/ so I suppose they can be trusted. I also located compatible dir/loader with the same ROM FW Version
Heads are 100% working and compatible with this drive as I am able to read user data. I just don't feel comfortable to start data retrieval without having backed up SA firts.
Maybe the unlock steps I follow are incorrect, could you point me in right direction?
Thanks.

[pepe]

wondering what the unlock steps are for an unlocked pcb...
However, i share your anxiety about starting a recovery with donor heads without backing up the SA first...
pepe

[northwind]

Unlock steps?
Solder/write patient rom to 'unlocked' PCB, put unlocked PCB to patient and read SA.
If that doesn't work for you, and you can read user data (so heads are good), then most probably your unlocked PCB isn't unlocked.
Maybe you can find another -known to be good- charger and test your unlocked PCB with it?

I agree with you and as pepe says, it's not wise to start recovery with donor heads without SA backup.