HDD GURU FORUMS

Hi,
I recently did something very stupid and am trying to fix it. I accidentally plugged a molex connector in backwards with the computer running and smoked my friends hard drive. I know...never, never etc...I'm still kicking myself. A 400GB drive and it was packed FULL of data that he needs back. I think it was the 5V TVS diode that blew, but not sure. Do you think I did more damage than just the PCB? The drive spins up and is recognized by name when connected to a IDE>USB adapter, but doesn't show up in "My Computer". If someone has a matching PCB or entire drive, I'll buy it and give it a try unless you think it's a lost cause. Any help from the experts here would be GREATLY appreciated, as my friend is not very happy with me right now

Drive Info:
Seagate ST3400633A 400GB 7200.9
P/N 9BD045-303
Firmware: 3.AAE

PCB Info:
Board# 100368182 REV A
Sticker# 100373052 J 3640SPB0

I can post a pic of the PCB if needed...thanks again

post the pic of the pcb .

Does the drive show up in the post when you attach it to a computer normally? If you go into the BIOS is it there? If so then I would say that you haven't fried the PCB at all and you have bigger fish to catch just to fry them.

here's the pics, thanks guys

After pulling it from the dead computer, I've only tried it with the USB adapter. After seeing it being recognized as a working USB device, and then not being visible in My Computer, I stopped diagnosis right there. You see in the pics that it definitely needs a PCB anyways

sniff sniff ....... what's that smell???

try to change the diode that your mention. must be carefully the plastic between the drive & PCB. check the chip temperature when power on

I'm afraid there is deeper damage on the PCB than just the TVS. I've seen other threads in this forum that mention not needing this diode for the drive to work, at least temporarily. You can see the exposed trace on the board. I'm afraid it got real hot there. I'm going to re-mount the PCB on the board and see if it works connected to an IDE controller (as magneto[b] suggests)[/b] on a working computer. (I also toasted his mobo )

thanks for all your help. I'll try to post the result later tonight

The drive should work in this position .

hi again

well, it's getting worse... I re-mounted the PCB on the drive and connected it to a working computer as a master drive on the primary IDE channel, powered up, entered the BIOS and saw no drives in the list. I removed it from the comp. and re-attached it to my IDE>USB adapter and did not get the same results as the last time I connected through the adapter. This time I only get the "USB device connected/disconnected" audio alerts. No balloon popups about Mass Storage Device, Disk Drive, drive name, or Device Ready to Use. Only those damned audio alerts and a listing in the "safely remove hardware" box (see attached screenshot) I listened with a stethoscope and never even heard the drive spin up. So, yeah, it's gotten worse... Maybe I damaged the PCB even more by removing/f***ing with it. Static maybe, who knows. Is there an easy way to test the drive motor to see if a replacement or repaired PCB is worth it?? I see three exposed metal pads embedded in the ribbon cable leading to the motor. Can I test the motors' voltage supply there, or even power up the motor manually through them?? I know how voltage can be present in a circuit, but the circuit has high resistance/poor connections and not be able to carry the intended load. If the motor can be tested there, can someone tell me which pads and what voltage to test for/apply?? (see other pic) I'm assuming 12V, but no clue on pad numbers.

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate the help

Just a quick update on my problem
I wanted to let everyone who reads this post that forum member networkpc3000 is a great person to deal with. We have had an ongoing email string since I originally posted this thread. I absolutely appreciate the help and knowledge he has given me. He genuinely wants to help me fix this drive. A great asset to this forum. Do not hesitate to deal with him.
I'll post all the steps we've taken later. No time right now.
Thanks again to those that helped me out..

Just wanted to update this thread by letting everyone know that networkpc3000 pulled through for me. With his help, I was able to retrieve ALL the data on this drive. He was a huge help to me. I didn't fully understand the directions he was giving me, but after many emails, I was able to do the right steps and fix it. To make a long story short, I purchased a matching PCB from him, then had to switch the ROM chip from my old PCB to the new one. After the repairs, the drive worked perfectly. DO NOT HESITATE TO DO BUSINESS WITH networkpc3000!!!! He will not steer you wrong. Thanks again networkpc3000 !!!

i have this pcb donor if you want. pm me pls

harddrivedonor wrote:i have this pcb donor if you want. pm me pls

You're about 2 years too late. :)

fzabkar wrote:

harddrivedonor wrote:i have this pcb donor if you want. pm me pls

You're about 2 years too late.

fzabkar is correct, two years too late. I fixed my drive and recovered all data from it already. Thanks anyway!