To cut a long story short with a not so short explanation, in the vain hope it is sufficient :
1) If the PCB is dead because MCU or some important part is dead there's nothing you can do . You can find a SIMILAR pcb but it must be exactly identical to the one you have and you can't determine it as the PCB is dead. An all this assuming there is no other damage ont he other part of the HDD.
2) You can tinker with a multimeter , a spectrophotometer or whatever you want BUT if the damage is not a simple thing , i.e. a bad chip OR the problem turns out to be the MCU, again there's nothing you can do. You need spare parts that are not readily available in case of a motor controller chip , less than less if it is the MCU, AND soldering equipment and skill is required.
Not all the repair shops can handle these boards as there are some peculiarities and it won't be "gratis" for sure. The myth of TV/AV shops that change a SMD BGA or QFP chip for few dollars doesn't seem to work in Western EU.
3) Sooner or later some advice for some PCB seller can pop up, and then there's another thing called "ADAPTATION SERVICE" : as a straight PCB swap won't work, it is necessary to send YOUR drive WITH YOUR DATA to the seller that will use dedicated tools to adapt firmware on PCB and drive.
You have to send the complete drive at your own risk and expenses where the seller is, i.e. USA, China or somewhere else. The drive can be damaged during shipping OR turns out that there is something else, then you have your drive (and data) thousands miles away and additional work is needed at extra cost.
When everything will come back, you'll have to pay taxes if it was outside EU, expect about 25%+ on total amount of the invoice or declared value. No exceptions.Think about it as it seems that too often things are made too simple.
Also note that unless you have a separate insurance, usually couriers DO NOT insure media or electronic memories , disks or everything that contains data : if it is lost, it is covered only by NTLL and/or normal insurance, "tot" x kg ,so let's say you loose a HDD with all data in and the insurance pays 10 EUR x KG. , total weight = 2 kg , you get a juicy 20 EUR refund, not a eurocent more.
Maybe I do worry too much but better safe than sorry / better to be afraid than cry later.
You can argue that only 1 out of 100'000 shipments do get damaged or lost, but if that 1 is yours, it is 100%
4) The only realistic DIY option that involves luck is to find a PCB that works and assume there is no other problem around. Otherwise you need specialized tools and know what to do. Unless someone will borrow them to you and guide you throughout the entire process , but I really doubt it.
5) To say it clearly, if you really want you can do some tinkering assuming all risks, if it goes OK then it is OK, otherwise you have to seek professional help. OR, if you can't afford it, either find another solution or wait or live without data.
Period.
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