During a recent hardware upgrade and windows reinstall I noticed one of my HDDs wasn't showing. Tried switching cables, checking software - nothing. Then found a small component on the floor and checked the drive. Seems this has come off it which I assume is why the drive is no longer working. Attached is a picture of drive and component.

What are my chances of success with replacing the PCB?

All help much appreciated.

Thanks
Boo

Is the drive spin ? if so, then changing the PCB is useless and the problem elsewhere. Otherwise, if the drive don't spin then you can change the PCB and give it a try.
P.S ( don't forget to transfer the original ROM from patient PCB to donor PCB )

Good luck

no there is no spin and no sign of life!

Then try to change the entire PCB. If you have an important data send it to a pro.

There's a reputable member in this forum (PCimage) he can fix your drive and save your data with reasonable price.

Good luck

Should be straightforward and inexpensive AT THIS POINT - BEFORE TINKERING!!!!!

£100 or less assuming "just" PCB

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Agree.

The damaged component is an inductive choke coil, without it the PCB is unlikely to power, as in your case.

As pcimage says, should be straightforward at this point but without the right tools and skills to do this repair you could seriously complicate the problem further.

Ultimately it is your decision, but for peace of mind and to ensure the data is kept safe you may want to get this job dealt with by a pro.

pcimage gives a great price for this job, if you decide that a pro is the way forward you should contact him.

I just wonder how could the inductor be knocked off that way without damaging any of the surrounding components....

I'm not convinced it was knocked off - it was in a drive cage, sandwiched between two other drives. I replaced the drive above it - so the "delicate underbelly" wasn't exposed to any possibility of knocks. Maybe I'd knocked it before and it was hanging by a thread so to speak - and the upgrade just shook it loose. Or maybe it blew? do these things blow? I don't know what an inductive choke coil does.

Anyway the drive is being shipped to pcimage as you guys recommend him.

Fingers Crossed!

Just to let you guys know I received my drive back from pcimage and glad/relieved to say everything working again! YAY! It was the PCB and they fixed it same day.

Thanks to those who recommended pcimage. Was even given a good rate for being a hddguru member. And thanks pcimage!

Same day service - kudos.

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I think this thread shows to all DIY 'ers out there what happens when you trust a PRO.

I am not against DIY at all, but when you go ahead and try it yourself, you know the risks.

Good job pcimage, good choice boo

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Cheers!!

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