Hi... First time ever posting here, so I'm sorry if it's not the right board or if I'm spamming with this type of post.

Before you ignore this, I know my HDD doesn't work and that it's most likely that I cannot repair it.

So I'm a beginner in electronics, and computer hardware in general. I know some basic stuff, but I ended up frying the thing.

Symptoms: Computers don't recognize it as a HDD, and it doesn't even spin when plugged.

How can I know how much I damaged it? Besides the PCB, is it possible that the motor (or engine) gets fried too?

Again, I'm sorry if this is considered spam (I read the knowledge base and read about how this is not a place with easy and quick solutions for people who never contribute to the forum). In that case, please let me know and I'll delete the topic.

Thanks to anyone that takes the time to reply.

It's a Hitachi Deskstar HDS728080PLAT20.

The computer powers up allright, the problem is that it doesn't know the HDD is plugged. It boots normally with other PATA HDDs.

As far as I can tell, the PCB looks the same, I didn't hear any burning/cracking sounds when it happened. I can only assume it got damaged.

Here's a pic from each side.

Thanks a lot.

My post is not yet approved, sorry. Apparently posts with images have to be checked before they go on here...

Anyways, thanks. I'll be away a couple of hours, sorry for the late reply. Thought my post was going to appear right away.

Hi, check the D2 for a short (you know how??) and there must be some components on the back of the PCB. So release the flat flex for the motor and pull it out, then release the screws and flip the board. Please post some photos of it.

I suspect that D2 is probably OK (because the PSU doesn't shut down).

I would measure the voltages on the pins of transistors Q1, Q2 and Q3. These would be the Vcore and Vio voltages.

I would also test resistors R9 (R075, near L3/Q2) and R5 (R47, near the +5V power pin).

Also measure the voltages at coils L1 and L3. These constitute the Cuk converter that supplies -5V (?) to the preamp.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

They should be around 5V, right? Just so I know if they're correct or not

I'll measure and post results tomorrow, thanks.

Well, nevermind guize. I found a broken chip (literally, broken) and it's microscopic. Don't know how I (or anyone) broke it, it's the small chip below the middle screw (it's intact in the picture). And I highly doubt that it's replacement is possible, so I'll have to find a pcb donor. fuck.

Anyways, now I'm sure the pcb won't work.

If anyone has any advice for determining possible donors, I'll be much grateful.

Thanks to anyone for their help so far.

I'm expecting +3.3V, +2.5V, +1V (approx).

As for the broken chip, if it's a filter capacitor, then all is not lost.

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

Hi! Can you take a picture of the burnt chip?

Best!

F

I didn't quite burn it, it's just broken as if it was forced with something

I can't take a quality pic, but this is the broken chip

That's the crystal. ((

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

Well, I'm not gonna ask any questions and assume I'm fucked.

So, if I replace the circuit board with this one, will it work? it's exactly the same model, the only thing that doesn't match is the MLC. Is it important to match the MLC in Hitachi drives?

Hi! I think it won´t work. PCB contains important information on it. A direct replacement is not suitable in this case (if i remember well, i moslty wor with western digital drives). Do you need to recover data? This is an important question before telling that you can replace broken crystal IC with some soldering skills. But you are taking a risk. It is up to you.

Best!

F

yeah, I need to. it's not my data but it'd be great if I could just swap boards and take stuff out of it before throwing it away...
anyways, I'll try that and hope it works. If not... DR'll be my expensive friend

You need to transfer the 8-pin chip at U5 from patient to donor.

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

Well, I kind of saw it coming... Thanks for mentioning it because I was going to avoid it if possible. Is there any risk to lose data if I try to use the drive before transfering the chip?

It won't work, for definite.

So if you're not prepared to swap the chip then you're wasting your time and money,

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_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

I can do it, the thing is I didn't want to take any risks in case it wasn't truly necessary