The fact that you've made this derisive accusation indicates that you are unable to comprehend the trivial nature of the SSD job that I was referring to (ISTR that on at least one occasion I have had to explain to you the difference between a "ROM" and a transistor). At face value the task involves replacing an unidentified IC which generates two supply voltages. The straightforward solution that should occur to every tech, not just the "god-like" ones, would be to substitute these supplies with two of your own. In fact a forum member (an end user like myself) was able to effect a similar repair on a Seagate PCB using parts costing less than $10 from his own parts bin.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

I sincerely acknowledge and respect your electronics knowledge and acumen. I'm not sure all the accompanying braggadocio was entirely necessary to convey it to others. YMMV.

And while I am prone to make occasional mistakes posting -- usually from haste or lack of proofing -- I certainly know the difference between a ROM and a transistor, and have for some 40 years. I don't think your ISTR applies here . . . but thanks anyway.

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I posted about my experience during a nostalgia kick at the HDD Oracle forum. My article was written along the lines of a case study. I mentioned it again here as a defensive response to disdainful comments. It was not intended to be boastful.

In fact I should have posted it 4 years ago when I was routinely ridiculed as the "TVS diode man". The following thread, in which I was taunted with some silly little quiz, was a prime example. I was tempted to talk about my experiences then, but I bit my tongue ... and the ridicule of course continued.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=18621&start=40

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

fzabkar: Just for the record, how much time have you spent working with the PC3K, since you seem to have very strong opinions about it and the people who use it?

Thank you.

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What were you doing before PC3K or Ace Lab? What do you do when PC3K doesn't have appropriate support for a new model? Do you just sit and wait for a solution, or do you work it out for yourself?

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

Your red herring is . . . just that.

Kindly address the question proffered.

Thank you.

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Now I'm going to take the liberty of concluding that you did not provide a direct answer to my direct question, because you have no actual experience with the PC3000.

Your advice on electronics is, IMHO, generally very good and helpful. You've helped quite a few on this forum, and others, and if there are others who can match your skill set, they are largely silent.

However, your often-strong opinions on matters of which you have no personal experience can be exasperating, i.e. when it happens to be pure conjecture and also misguided or misinformed.

Why not focus on that which you know and do best? Just a thought . . .

Thank you.

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Does anyone need to answer a rhetorical question? (You don't need to answer that question.)

Seriously though, I was taking issue with the inane proposition that one should buy an expensive tool, learn how to use it, and not waste time in learning how a hard drive works. That's like telling people not to bother learning simple arithmetic when they can buy a calculator. I am a loss to understand why anyone would defend such a proposition.

AISI, it doesn't matter which third party tool you have, it will always lag behind the technology. So how do you tackle new, unfamiliar problems if tool X doesn't support them? Do you apply your own knowledge and experience and devise your own solution, or do you sit back and wait for an update from Ace Lab or whomever? I see that you've dodged this particular question, but no doubt that's because we both know it's a rhetorical one. ;-|

In my ideal world an expert in his field would be able to tackle every problem using only first principles. To such a person a sophisticated tool would simply be an extension of his intellect rather than a substitute for it. I would hope that we would all aspire to be such a person and not be satisfied with being reduced to the lowest common denominator of tool user. Otherwise, if a person is totally dependant on his tools, then how does he differentiate himself from his competitors?

As for your suggestion that I should stick to subjects that I am familiar with, that is neither here nor there. This thread strayed from the subject long ago.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

We stay busy turning around recoveries, and the amount of time that we are able to devote to "pure" R&D is pretty limited.

Much of the R&D involves honing techniques and figuring out processes. I've had customized motor bearing tools and WD alignment jigs made, as well as platter swap tools. I can't tell you how much time I spent on head cleaning processes.

Although we often send a lot of time on individual recoveries, we don't really have time to do much in-depth research. If it is a process that we haven't perfected but know someone who has, contracting out is an option (the few times we do, we always get customer permission first).

I don't think anyone knows everything, although some other members of the forum come close.
So it's practical to specialize; capitalize on your strengths, and cross-pollinate. There is actually quite a bit of cooperation among certain DR firms -- even sharing "secrets" -- all to a customer's advantage.

Other advances require proprietary info. I pestered one manufacturer for months and months to find out where a particular flag was kept -- to no avail. I probably could have figured it out, but Ace did not long after I began the inquiry.

I'm sure others do it quite differently.

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+1 Jono. That's a very accurate description of what it's like in this business.

Frank, I don't know why you feel that I've attacked our position. As I recall, I just recommended to the OP that to do what he was suggesting would require pro tools (PC-3000). You were the one who came down on all PC-3000 users essentially calling us hacks for using professional tools. I just pointed out that your professionals in many occupations rely on powerful tools to make their jobs more effective and save time. You can do your work however you want, doesn't bother me a bit. I find your knowledge impressive, I really do. But in the modern "throw away" electronics era we are in, it's not a practical approach anymore.

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