Hi guys.

I bought the exact same model number PCB for my hard drive (2060-771761-001
P1)

and the U12 chip is bigger on the new PCB. Before you ask, I have had it professionally diagnosed my hard drive and the old PCB is confirmed to be dead.

Upon closer inspection, I can see that theres a small sticker on the pcb's and the new pcb doesn't exactly match it although the the PCB's look 100% identical to each other

Old PCB sticker: 771761-301 AB
New PCB sticker: 771761-101 ABD3

Take note the printed model number on the PCB's are exactly the same
Old: 2060-771761-001 REV P1
New: 2060-771761-001 REV P1

So the seller didn't mention anything about the PCB sticker having to match too, but I didn't know myself

Anyway, the REAL question is this. Have a look at the two pictures. Do you think i could still solder on the old U12 chip onto the new PCB? Maybe if my friend can line the legs into the socket and it works?



EDIT: OR AM I JUST STUPID BECAUSE NOW THAT I LOOK AT IT, THE U12 ON NEW PCB IS JUST SIDEWAYS??!!!!

Can anyone help me out please, I want to know if it would work because if it doesn't then I have no chance at returning this new pcb for a refund

I will transfer U12 only if someone can give me any sort of assurance that it could work

Thank you

Well, first of all both chips on old PCB were already unsoldered before.
Second, I've never seen that PCB would have both chips of the same manufacturer. That could mean one of the chips (U12 or U14) is not original. They also can be both not original. That would mean that even if you swap the chip - drive still might not work if the chip is not original.
Third, the bigger U12 chip on new PCB is just different form-factor. It can be soldered perfectly well on any compatible WD PCB from a 2.5" drive(as well as smaller chip). WD is know to use different form-factor chips for U12, that is normal.

_________________
SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

Trust me, all chips are original and yes the old
Pcb chips have been desoldered before because i sent to data recovery company for diagnostic only. They said its pcb failure and even sent me a file list of whats on the drive

They asked for £280, but obviously i only sent it to them to confirm if pcb is at fault

The U12 and U14 on old PCB are original chips, they've never been changed (except for data recovery diagnostic)

And also a huge thanks doomer for reassuring me about the U12 size

deleted

_________________
SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

Ok to let you know they're original:

-Bought brand new so its not been used before the hdd
-When I opened the external hard drive enclosure, the chips looked like that.
Nothing has changed

So there is no way these chips have been replaced, I've had this HDD from new

Also, you can see the same chips on a stock photo here

Then swapping U12 should be enough to replicate original PCB

_________________
SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

That is the perfect answer. Thank you so much for clarifying.

Now, lets hope this works (it should because that data recovery company sent me a file list of the hard drive)

So, why didn't you pay the professional lab to do the job? Depending on the size of the lab, I think it is reasonable to be quoted anywhere between $300 and $1000 for PCB related work.

This is why I believe that our free assessment should only include a price and no diagnosis, unless the quote is approved. If you want me to tell you how to fix it yourself, that will cost you.

_________________
Luke
Recovery Force Data Recovery

Lol thats why I got it sent back. Im not paying £280/$400 for a simple PCB swap + BIOS chip swap.

My friend's dad is a TV engineer and he knows all about chips and stuff, and is going to swap the new BIOS for me for free. This DIY solution cost me £50/$85 which is waaaay better than $400

Edit: In case you didn't know, I do know how to fix it.

My suggestion (for next time) is to buy your PCB from a vendor who provides the chip transfer for free. Then the total cost would be more like US$50. Moreover, the vendor would probably just transfer the contents of the chip rather than the chip itself.

Anyway, best of luck, and put your savings toward a backup drive or three.

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

I indeed have... Bought 2 more external hard drives. And thanks. I'll get with results during weekend

Also, I would have done that firmware transfer from vendor, but from what I can see, absolutely no-one in the UK can do that. I see companies in US and Canada that can do it, but I don't want to ship my drive to another country, too much time consuming.

I think it's more the case that nobody wants to do that.

A Drive Repair attracts much less money than a Data Recovery, and in cases such as yours the two are essentially one and the same. Your friend's father would be treating the job as a repair, not as a "recovery". OTOH, if a data recovery company were to offer a genuine repair service, then they would only be undercutting themselves. That said, a figure of $1000 for a chip transfer is ludicrous IMO. Just ask your friend's father how much he normally charges for such a straightforward job.

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

no such thing as a brand new board

they are from damaged drives