Hi guys, new member here but I have a problem with a HDD and this forum seems to be the best place for advice.

I had a hard drive die on me a few weeks ago (its external/mains powered) for an unknown reason.

It hasn't been dropped/damaged in any way, its just when I plug it in there's nothing. There is no noise/clicking/movement within.

I came to the conclusion perhaps the USB interface going into the drive was bust, so i removed the drive from the enclosure and fitted it to my PC internally. Same thing happened, no signs of life.

I did a bit of reading and decided the best thing to do was remove the PCB and check for damage. On doing so there were no obvious signs of damage/burning. Though one chip does have a little bubble/indent/mark on it. This is the only thing I can think of and so I am considering a replacement PCB.

I'm posting this just for a second opinon really, does the chip look damaged to you guys, and is it the source of the problem (also if anybody knows what this chip is for curiosity's sake).

I'll post pictures of the PCB and also a closeup of the chip in question.

http://i58.tinypic.com/10glcgh.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/2lbpdl2.jpg


Also my drive info: Seagate Barracuda "Green" 2TB ST2000DL001

PCB 100617465 rev B

Thanks in advance guys.

I would recommend sending to donordrives and have them swap the PCB (and ROM chip) for you: http://www.donordrives.com/seagate-st20 ... 5-pcb.html

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$300 Data Recovery - Los Angeles Data Recovery

@jb93, the damaged chip appears to be a PWM controller for the Vcore power supply. If you are a good tech, you could replace that section with a linear regulator, probably 1.0V - 1.2V or so.

Otherwise I would transfer the 25FU406B "ROM" chip to a replacement PCB. My preferred supplier would be onepcbsolution.com or hdd-parts.com (same company). They include a ROM transfer in the price.

I'm not certain, but I suspect that the damaged chip may be an LX7169.

LX7169, Microsemi, 3A Step-Down Converter, 3V - 5.5V input:
http://www.electronicsdatasheets.com/do ... format=pdf

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

It is like mine, same IC damaged viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29204 I used linear regulator, but it was only for quick backup. But it heats pretty much, 1~2A * 4V drop = 4~8W.

you should buy new PCB as others recommended, if you dont want to destroy it completely