Thank you in advance for any advice!

I've got a Samsung HD501LJ 500gig harddrive that i'm looking to repair. I think i've found the problem, but i'm not sure what the best(for me) way is to go about trying to repair it. From my google'ing i've found out that the BIOS is embedded inside another chip(MCU?). I believe it is located in the big square chip in the middle of the board. My problem seems to be the large rectangular chip beside that has been cracked.(pictures attached) I can solder, but not that well. I've never soldered/desoldered an IC before.

I guess i'm just looking for guidance on what i could do to possibly fix this harddive. Should i replace just that cracked chip? Can i find another harddrive w/ the same specs and replace the whole PCB? Is there something software wise that i can use a donor harddrive with?

I'm just confused on all the options possible, and what you guys/girls would think is the better solution to research more and move forward. Thanks!

Sorry. No chance to repair it. Just buy a new one.

Why is there no chance to repair it? I'm trying to understand so i can learn about it. Thanks!

What is the drive doing? you never did explain what failures you were having?

Without knowing what is wrong with the drive it is really hard to tell if it can be repaired.

Sorry about that. When i apply power there is no spin-up or anything. The computer doesn't register anything but i can hear "the electronic hum" as i call it. And when i unplug it the noise fades out within about 3 seconds.

The RAM chip might have blown and cracked. I am not sure. Look like you need to replace the whole PCB and transplant the Large squire MCU to transfer the BIOS. Perhaps an electric shop can move the chips, or get a data recovery lab to recover the data. Should be cheap as its only a hardware fault and not a firmware, internal problem.

Sounds good. Would i be able to transfer just a new RAM chip? Or would it be better time spent, just moving the MCU to a new donor board?

Just replace the entire PCB from identical donor and you will be ok.
Sure if your diagnosis is right.
Good luck

I agree with Unknown. Find a matching rev board and you should be ok, unless that hum is a seized motor. then a board will not fix it.

Thank you. I will find a matching board and attempt an MCU swap!

Before swapping the MCU, just try the matching rev board without any swapping of chips. It may just work

Is there a firmware version printed on the drive label?

Something like "CR100-12" from memory.

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no, that's not printed anywhere. What's wrong with that ram chip? Is it burnt there? It might not be the only component burnt on that board...

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

If you would like to test the PCB on its own, measure the voltages at the "100" and 4R7 coils. Also measure the voltages at the SOT-89 transistor behind the motor controller IC.

If you would like me to identify these supply voltage test points for you, please upload a detailed photo (or CCD scan) of the PCB.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

How do you know this? The OP did not post a pic of his label that I can see.

Sometimes the FW version is printed on the drive label on this model.

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hm, odd, i never noticed... i will check some around here

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Yeah, it's not on many but I have definitely seen it on few here

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