Data recovery

[Bobcoop103]

I have a Hitachi Deskstar 80 gb ATA hard drive that is physically damaged in that 2 or more of the pin contacts are broken, I suspect there is useful data stored. I have tried to make repairs without success and my question is if I were to buy another HDD of the same make and model could I swap the PCB so that it could be accessed?

[Russwinters]

It will likely require some PCB rework as well (IE: Desoldering some components from the patient board, to the new board)

I suggest you find someone who is comfortable with desoldering and soldering small components, it's easy once you practice, but also easy to screw up if your a novice.

Good luck!

[Bobcoop103]

Thanks for the tip but actually I am a retired electronics technician with experience soldering and desoldering but I think there may be internal component damage and just repairing it doesn't help. Sop as I asked can I replace the PCB?

[fzabkar]

A straight board swap won't work. You need to transfer the NVRAM, or its contents, to the donor PCB.

If you upload a photo, one of us will identify the component for you.

[viktdev]

NVRAM swap *AND* match rom version (match first two lines of the sticker on the ata connector)

[Bobcoop103]

It looks like the chance of finding an exact match is pretty remote maybe my best option is to find a data recovery expert, any suggestions there? Attached are pictures.
Thanks for all, Bob

Attachments

[fzabkar]

I would cut the conductors for the damaged pins from your IDE cable, and then hardwire them to your PCB. Should be very easy for someone with soldering experience.

[Steve]

The simple solution is to replace the broken pins if that is the only damage.