Hi,
I made a lot of attempts to restore data on my WD5000AAKS-00TMA0 (was broken: not spin). Look at here for the model pictures.
First of all I've tried to change the PCB (I bought another identical HD on ebay) but the moherboard not recognize it (later I read the unique firmware issue).
Then I read the TVS issue. I compared the values with the same TVS in the new one (with Multimeter), I get an error and I removed it (D4). Then HD starts to spin but the motherboard not recognize it. ;-(
Now, which could be the problem?

Thanks a lot!

Jazzo


Hey im no pro but when you changed the PCB did you also swop the ROM chip from your old PCB to the new PCB??
if you did not then thats a good place to start....
just my $0.02

There is no external ROM on this model. ROM is embedded into MCU and requires specialist tools to resolve this matter.

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Data Recovery Ireland

CK is correct, there is no ROM (see empty space at U12!)

NOTHING can be done DIY on this, needs pro help.

Shouldn't be expensive AT THIS STAGE IF NOT FIDDLED ABOUT WITH.

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when it all fails i guess its the Motor chk it, the Motor IC probably
you will need to be more than Pro. to do this task, DIY is not the key here

good luck

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Be more specific
What is happening after you have removed the TVS diode.
Is the drive just spinning ?? Or initializing perfectly ??? Or No init noise
Are u able to read the modules with some tools ???

After removed the TVS the drive start to spin. First it was dead, not spin. Indeed when I tried to connect the drive to the PC the power supply go to protection mode.
So, the drive just spinning but it's not initialized. I can listen a silent constant noise (tic... tic... tic...).
Can you give me a link of a tools to read modules?

N.C.S. = Non Ci Siamo. Il disco ha un problema interno, sicuramente o e' saltato qualcosa a livello di firmware, o c'e'un problema elettronico che puo' essere limitato al PCB o e' arrivato al preamplificatore.
E' una ipotesi visto che non l'ho visto direttamente , per cui vado per logica.
Se e' problema di firmware solo con un tool HW come il PC3000 UDMA (molte migliaia di EURO crca tutto incluso) puoi fare qualcosa ammesso e non concesso che sappia come lavorare con quel disco.
Se il problema e' nel PCB devi sperare che la ROM interna sia integra e comunque serve qualcosa come il tool di cui sopra per leggerla e eventualmente trasferirla.
Se il problema e' l'headstack va sostituito (tanti auguri !) e ripartire da zero.
NON esistono tool gratuiti come pensi per leggere il firmware interno, considerato tra l'altro che il disco resta in BSY o comunque non funziona (non riesce ad accederci lui... figurarsi !).

Y.D.G.= You Don't Get . The disk has an internal problem, either a firmware or electronics issue that can be limited to PCB or may have reached preamp. Just guessing as I didn't see it, so it's logic speaking.
If it is a FW problem, only a tool like PC3000 UDMA (several thousand EUR) you can do something, assuming you know what to do.
If the problem is on PCB last hope is ROM to be intact , and you still need something like the above mentioned tool to read and transfer it.
If the problem is at headstack level you have to change it (good luck!) and restart diagnose.
There are no free tools as you may want to access internal FW, also consider that the disk will stay in BSY state forever and in any case doesn't work (it cannot read its firmware by itself... figure yourself!)