Hi all,

i have a small but desasterous problem.
I had an external WD MyBook Pro with a built-in WD5000AAKS Harddisk.
Now as it so happens, someone who shall remain nameless turned my running IT-suff off, by hitting the general switch on the
multi-plug. After i turned it back on, WD didnt answer anymore...
Tekki as i am, i opned the external case because i suspected the usb controler to be shot. Removed the drive and changed hooked ito to another USB controler. Upon powering up, the drive spins up 3 times in a row and then shuts off.
I put it into the pc direktly linked to the SATA bus, but then the whole machine freezes on bios load-up.

Any of you guys have any idea how i can fix that? Broken diod maybe? I might give it to a pro, but here in dubai i dont trust their skills entirely and i want to avoid them ripping me off. so if i could pre-diagnos a bit, or if anyone of you can suggest a reliable pro in dubai that would help.

Greets
Seb

Ok, now is the time to not make any stupid moves! You say the drive spins up three times then shuts off. Does it "click" or "thunk" during the time it spins up? If so, you have need of a professional DR guru!
One of several thing may be at fault.

1- The PCB is fried.
2- The Preamp or Heads are damaged
3- The firmware is damaged

If "1" you need a solder repair station and donor PCB.

If "2" you need a DR lab.

If "3" you need special tools and software.

Only once in a great while when a drive is dropped and the problem is misalignment have I been able to bring the drive up by adjusting the head stack alignment.

In no case should you remove any Head Disk Assembly screws. If you must inspect the PCB just to make sure you have done all you can to identify any "fried" parts well go ahead at your own risk. Be sure to use an anti-static strap and proper tools. Remember "if the tools not right the boy's not bright".

Some people have had success by cooling the drive in the freezer and such but once again at your own risk.

Only you can decide just how important your data is. If it is very important trust it in the hands of a pro. Hopefully one without an ego. Not sure where to find one of those

Best of luck.

_________________
HWHacker
Smiles

Hmm... No i not really hear a "clicking" really.... at least not like i heared it on a hardisk i had before that suffered a headcrash....

the data is pretty important. i guess i will try to find a DR pro... (pooor my money)... i tried measuring the diods with a multimeter but without removing. they seemd ok, but for one the reading was a bit inconclusive...

[quote=]

1- The PCB is fried.
2- The Preamp or Heads are damaged
3- The firmware is damaged
[/quote]

1 - HDD is probably Tornado family with embedded ROM - specialist tools needed, can be recovered in DR Lab

2 - DR lab with good clean facilities and experience required

3 - Specialist tools needed, can be recovered in DR Lab.



My experience with these suggests that damaged reading heads will try to read around 6 times before spindle stops. If Preamp is bad, will try to read just 2 or 3 times, so I think is possible preamp could be bad.

Only option here to avoid further complications and damage is to seek professional help. I am sure there are many members of this forum who can assist you.

hddguy is right. The power surge most likely affected one or more heads of the drive even when the pcb sustained the shock.

You can't fix it yourself. You will need a data recovery pro to help you out.

_________________
The last word from the dying patient, data.
www.datamediarecovery.com