Hi Everyone (First post!),

My HDD stopped working months ago and ive finally got around to doing something about it. It was analysed as



Due to a recent car accident (wife! zzz) I'm stripped of sums of cash and read online that if i were to find a PCB it would be an easy replace. I contacted HDD zone with the below info




This was my response from HDDzone (even though I found the same coded PCB online on their store for $40)




Now he is far more experienced than I and he referred me to this site so I do believe him, I was more after an explanation of my current situation...

The Main CIC (as seen in pics) is a bit fried. Therefore does this mean quite a bit of work has to be done to recover the stuff off it to put on the replacement MCIC?

If I were to get the PCB does anyone know a good place to get this fixed/recovered?

Payam seem good and they have great service (they analysed it) however $500 was more than I was expecting for a PCB. Now there are complications.. is this quite a valid price?

Cheers for any input,

Glenn

I don't think that Marvell chip is the one holding the critical info on this board. I would search around this forum some more looking at similar model drives, you should find your answer if you dig enough and my theory is correct. Also assuming that the electrical issues didn't harm any of the drive internals either.

Thanks agent,

Im happy to buy the $40 pcb and go from there but Im just wondering what other steps may be involved. Ill ask around

If:
A. If understand correctly, and I think I do I just do not want to come off as the cocky new member, also I may be wrong (though actually not as new to the forum as I appear) then the $40 PCB WITH programming will work, some places will re-program your new board using your old.
B. This is assuming the component containing the data on your PCB was not fried and drive internals were not fried, if either of these are the case, this is the point where I suggest Pro intervention.

With programing, NetworkPC3000 may be able to help

The serial EEPROM chip at U12 stores the "adaptive" data, not the Marvell MCU.

The following vendor will supply your board and transfer your firmware. Otherwise your local TV/AV repair shop should be able to transplant the serial EEPROM chip for you.

http://www.hdd-parts.com/firmware-transfer.html
http://www.hdd-parts.com/10021173.html

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

See I am trying to help out the guys that post and really do not seem like they want a spoon feeding but are curious and willing to learn with effort. I point them in the right direction to research and learn, then you pop on and spoon feed. Gangel could have spent a little time poking around the forum and learned everything you gave him, and I am sure he would not have minded.

I prefer to get a direct answer to a direct question. But I'll keep your statement in mind if ever you need help. I'll be sure not to make it too easy for you. ;-)

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

I started with ZERO knowledge on data recovery or hard drives in general. I have grown to have a vast knowledge of both but still think I am definately a little boy in the this world of hard drives and DR. I have spent more time doing research and learning in personal time than I have as a full time profession in the last two+ years. Forgive me if I prefer to point the ones wanting to do good for themselves and willing to put genuine effort into it than help the random who pop on wanting a quick fix DIY with no understanding at all.



Don't think I wouldn't spend over 100+ trying to find an answer before asking for help, and don't think I would at all be asking for more than a pointer or tip VS. a hand me out.

For someone who claims to have a "vast knowledge" of hard drives, and who claims to have made a profession out of them for the past "two+ years", you really don't seem to know much at all. The storage of adaptive information in the ubiquitous U12 flash memory of WD PCBs is something that every DR beginner knows. For you to describe it as a "theory" shows just how green you really are.

That said, if someone with a vast knowledge of hard drives doesn't have the answers, despite having worked with them for 2+ years, then how can they expect a complete noob to come up to speed simply by reading a few posts, presumably from qualified, experienced professionals such as yourself?

BTW, you can now upgrade your theory to fact. If I can help you again, you only need to ask.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

As I had said I am not new to this forum, and some but few know my new form form my previous, I am not trying to come off as a new "hot shot" that knows all, nor am I going to claim to know all. I was 99.99% sure in this situation, but claiming to know all only to have a new member come back saying that my suggestions ruined their data, I will NOT do.

Yes, I have been paid 40+ hours a week for two+ years, does that make me a "guru"?, haha, not in the slightest. But in my time I have NEVER done anything to risk my clients data, my "theory" is just that because even though I have read 200 forums posts from here to China on this topic, I might not have proven it to myself. And yes I have swapped this component on TONS of drives, but I was not there to diagnose THIS drive, nor will I offer a guarantee.

I offer my "theory" as not to seem full of myself, as I am definitely not. Over a forum with a remote, word of mouth diagnosis, from here on out, you will NEVER see a post not suggesting my idea is more than theory, because it can never be more than that. A very big part of my culture is humility, and that will never go away.




I never claimed to be a pro, I very much so claimed the opposite, from my experience I suggested that the OP look around and find his answer, I would much rather spend 40 hours researching and learning than spending 500$,, some people are willing to do that some are not, and that is why I respond to the ones that seem to be willing to be patient and learn

I';m still reading throuhg it all and i appreciate both your tactics.

In the end i do want a "Solution" that someone can say "do this"..

Im interesting in learning about it all and i want to know how it works (so thanks agent)

I need to read everything, but in a sec ill get back and put a better reply. I appreciate your efforts guys!

Does "Agent" means CIA Agent or FBI Agent?

Don't trust him...

You'll never know

Ditto.

As much as I hate to admit it Frank, your kind of growing on me. Your posts actually humour me now, and whether you mean to be or not your actually kind of funny

If I ever need any assistance locating a TVS, or have trouble understanding SMART I will be sure to ask and look forward to your sarcastic response

Most first-time posters come here looking for a solution, not a lecture.

I provided the answer that the OP was asking for, and in so doing was criticised for spoon feeding, by someone who himself wasn't sure of the correct answer, despite laying claims to years of experience in the field. AISI, my response to Agent was entirely appropriate.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

I have worked hard and long to learn, enjoy your day Frank, reread my answers, and unlike a dull reality tv show, address all that was said.

just so pplz know the progress,

I contacted HDD-parts and they have the part. Its about $69 and that includes the firmware transfer as well as free shipment back to me in AUS!

My understanding is that is going to fix my little issue, as I assume the firmware transfer fixes my issue stated regarding the controller IC stated in my OP??

Could anyone verify im on the right track before I sent it off to canada!!?

Nobody can tell as - for example - it is unknown if there is further damage to drive internals. So it may work or not. I am a service tech , not a clairvoyant who can tell and make love potions just seeing a picture....

P.S. sometimes data in the MCU gets corrupted but in a manner that won't prevent drive to start even if it won't work, if you "move" the problem ... you have a "working" pcb with "problems"

Yes, go for it.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.