Hi all, i have a problem. I have an samsung 500gb hdd Model: HM502JX, it's not mine, it's my fiancés. Problem is, there is a lot of her family photos which they didn't back up anywhere else, so they really need that data inside that hdd. First i thought it's just another partition problem, but when i've connected this HDD to my laptop, it started installing drivers, but disk wouldn't spin and i coudn't see it in any partition program. After that time, I've tried to connect it a few more times, but there wasn't any indication that it is alive and windows didn't give any notices as it did first time. So i tried to connect it to other computer to see if it will give any effect, still nothing, and no sign of driver installation either. So I'm thinking that PCB board is gone. My question is, can i do anything else before buying new PCB and if i will buy it, will it work (what are the chances)? and maybe someone knows where i can get PCB in UK, it's ok if it's not in UK if only shipping won't take 2 month. Also if replacement fails, what else can i do? It's a really valuable information out there for the family, so please give an advice if you have one.

thank you all for your help.

Hi,

If you have some knowledge of electronics, you can try to check if your PCB has some problem.

Also, if you buy a new PCB, the chances that a direct replacement will work are low, because you have to match a compatible ROM version, and you never know if you're doing it or now.

Last option is to send it to a pro and let him at least make a diagnose and tell you the problem and quote for recovery.

Thank you for your reply, i had my fair share in the past with hdd, i even did a surgery, but it was in the days when HDD where 80 - 120 MB hehe, long time ago, since then i think lot's of stuff changed, plus, i don't have my instruments. First thing i though when you told me about different bios, it's possible to swap the chip, but i remembered that i have nothing with my self and this situation is not the one where i don't mind making a mistake for learning purposes. Also, this is a freecom HDD, and it wa samsung inside it, thing is.. samsung cost like 250 pounds ... and the same HDD with same product number from freecom costs 60 pounds, which is a huge difference. I'm just thinking that chances that they changed rom on current freecom hdd is kinda low, is it worth buying same freecom hdd, i know there is going to be same samsung model inside, maybe with different rom but.. then i can sent them both to a person who has all the devices and if required he can swap bios, and it will cost me a bit cheaper, cuz it's a good friend of mine and i'm paying only for parts and shipment.

The first thing I would try is a USB Y-cable. USB 2.0 ports are current limited to 500mA, so a single port may not always be able to provide enough power to spin up the drive.

WD users are reporting physical connection problems with the micro-USB connectors on their external drives, so that may be something to check, if your problem is an intermittent one.

How does Microsoft's UVCView utility see the external drive?
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/USB_ID ... ew.x86.exe

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

It doesn't see hdd at all, cable is ok, i tried a few of them

Also i've tried to find a donor, found samsung HDD which was like 250 pounds, but i realized that this hdd was sold in enclouse, freecom, and they cost 60 pounds, is it worth buying new one , with same product number and trying to replace PCB?

I can take a look at this if you wanna send it down, shouldn't be mega bucks

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Now you have one more option

Hi there i have the same problem that you have... I bought my Samsung 500gb HM502JX in 2009 in France. Its was fine till 1month ago.
I have 400GB of data .. all the data when i was in France and i am now in Canada and i have all my work reasearch that i did and a buch of stuff valuable..
Loose it means 4 years of reasearch and data gone so imagine the situation that i a right know ... I need to find solution.. so i was wondering how did you manage it.. what did you do to make it work if it is the case...
i was thinking buying a new PCA and try it to see if it will work.. but need to know if that would work..
i really need help.... i dont know what to do..
in my case i dont see other options so pls anyone with ideas help pls...
Thx in advance!

Do you mean that your drive doesn't spin-up at all? Please describe the drive's behaviour exactly, including whether the LED illuminates at all, and whether there is any sound at all (even a quiet one) coming from the drive when power is applied.


Did something unusual happen a month ago e.g. drive was transported / knocked / dropped etc.?


Remember that asking how someone else solved a problem with their drive, will not necessarily apply to your drive - that's why I'm suggesting (via the questions I've asked) that you supply details of your situation. In some ways, disk drives can be thought of as being a little like a car (both are complex, and with many parts) - there can be many reasons for one overall symptom, so just because 2 different car engines don't start, it does not necessarily mean that they are both have the same fault; same applies with disk drives. Having more details of the specific symptoms of your drive, may help readers to give more replies.


That depends on the exact symptoms of your drive, and even if the PCB (or, as you call it, the PCA) is faulty, then dmarques has already replied to that question earlier in this thread.


There is always the option (which I suggest you strongly consider, to avoid you causing bigger problems by any DIY attempts!) of using the services of a professional DR company - there are some in Canada who are members of this board, for example. Since you say that your data is valuable, then using professional services would seem to be the least risky (and most likely to be successful) option - some may offer free (or low cost) diagnosis / evaluation.

Hi Vulcan
First of all thank you for your reply!

From what i remember no it doesn't spin-up at all and the LED doesn't illuminates at all..
there wasn't any sound.

Why i said from what i remember is that i traveled overseas and i gave it to someone
to repair it.. he said he can and i left it there ..when i came back the jack on the board
was gone so i cant plug it to my computer..That's why i do need a PCB board hoping that it will work...

The HDD never dropped , i always took care of it... the problem i think was on the jack attached to
the PCB board that's why that guy wanted to change it i guess...

I went to one local shop and he said he cant do anything...
Why i said at the end in my case i don't have other options is that the current board that i have doesn't have the
jack anymore so i cant connected to the computer..
I have pictures of it and wanted to post it in order u guys to see but i dont see that option...