Hello.

I want to recover this disk (WD10EADX with 2060-771640-003 REV A PCB).

I found some spots on PCB, maybe it's corrosion. Photos for more info.
This disk was used in external box and exactly same spots are on USB bus in external box.

My plan is to buy another 2060-771640-003 REV A PCB and try to replace original PCB. I found 1050 number on IC, so that's probably PCB's date of manufacture.
I'm able to switch BIOS IC (U12?) by myself (I have all needed hardware and friend skilled in electronics - soldering).

I want to ask first before I buy some PCB if anyone can help me to decide what happened and if PCB change can help.

Thanks for any ideas.

Josef

What is the symptom?

The discolouration is oxidisation. You can clean it up by gently rubbing it with a soft white pencil eraser.

FWIW, I can see a "5110" number on the PCB. Probably a WWYY date code, ie week 51 of 2010.

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You haven't said what the symptoms of the problem are.

Dead?

Normal spinup?

Stay spinning?

Spin down?

Clicking?

Scraping?

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Sorry guys.

After plug into power and sata it starts (spins for a while) and stops. No clicking. I didn't tried this at home I just heard it from friend. I can test it myself, but I'm afraid to do anything to prevent any additional damages.

Bad heads. Not likely PCB

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Do you think I can try it myself to plug it again a maybe record it? I only heard this from my friend. So I'm not sure what's current status.

And in that "bad heads" case is there any chance to recover data in any other way?

I wouldn't continue to operate it in this condition.

Clean room & experience are needed now, IMHO.

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OK, thanks a lot jono-ats.

Yes, agree.

Almost certainly physical heads issues. Not DIY I'm afraid.

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OK, thanks for your opinions.

What do you recommend me to do now? And how much it will cost approximately? I'm from Europe, Prague.

Don't power on the drive until you find a reputable DR pro near your area ( power on drive at this condition will make things worse ).

Good luck

I want to share end of my story with you guys.

Today I cleaned PCB using wooden pick, microscope and pencil rubber where it was possible. I tried to plug it into PC vie external USB bus.
System found a drive, but didn't find any partition. So I used brilliant SW TestDisk (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk - it saved my life many times) to get all my important data from disk (quick search was enough). They were copied successfully. I also let it write actual partition table back to disk and after reconnect it showed in system properly. I'm not going to use that disk anymore, since it is not reliable anymore. But I'm really happy.

Thanks for all your help. Mainly for ideas about PCB changing. You were true. It definitely wasn't case for PCB change.

Nice work!

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

Great result

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PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

Thanks guys.

I have results before and after cleaning if someone is interested.

Well done.

@retro, may I use your photo? I have an idea for a FAQ/tutorial.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

Sure, you can fzabkar. Send me link after you'll do it. I want to read it.

Fzabkar, please start a tutorial on PCB cleaning.

Also, please let us know in this thread (give us links) where we can get your other tutorials like testing pcb with multimeter and others. I have lost track of the tutorials.

I wouldn't call it a tutorial. It's more like a tech note.

Oxidisation on Western Digital PCBs:
http://malthus.zapto.org/viewtopic.php? ... 1789#p1789

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A backup a day keeps DR away.