Hey all,

My external WD 750 GB stopped working and was doing clicking noise, so I toke it out of case and placed it on docking
but smoke and burning smell came out, i know it is gone but still i got valuable data one so is there any way to repair it

the docking and the case are working fine i put another disk and they work ok

thanks for any help

Post an image of the component side of the pcb. The smoke is less of a concern than clicking - if that was the original issue there's a good chance the heads need replacing and that requires professional tools.

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Data Recovery Services in the UK.
https://www.usbrecovery.co.uk/

it burnt out

hope i can find a new one

thanks

The motor controller has let the magic smoke out. You can't just replace the pcb you'd need to move the mcu too. Given the damage it's highly likely the preamp is toast too. If that data warrants it, this one really needs to be looked at by a lab rather than DIY.

_________________
Data Recovery Services in the UK.
https://www.usbrecovery.co.uk/

That's normal.

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Joep - http://www.disktuna.com - video & photo repair & recovery service

In my experience, preamp on WD drives gets toasted when the smooth chip burns on HDA contacts side.
Can't say for sure, but in my opinion preamp in this case should be ok since smooth chip seem to be burned on the opposite side (motor side) only.
I would first check preamp with multimeter instead opening the drive for straight head swap.

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My firmware database:
https://mega.nz/folder/O01DkBRI

It might be clicking just because smooth chip is shorted.
He can try to change pcb and listen if it still does click or not, but if preamp is shorted then it would kill also donor pcb or destroy surface.
If it doesn't click after pcb swap, then most likely preamp is still alive.

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My firmware database:
https://mega.nz/folder/O01DkBRI

AIUI, the drive was clicking before it was place in the dock, so the he SMOOTH chip must have been OK at that time. The chip only failed after the drive was installed in the dock. Normally this kind of damage is indicative of an overvoltage on the 12V supply, so it's strange that the same dock and power adaptor still work with other drives, unless these other drives are 2.5" types which run off 5V only.

Sadly, this disaster may have been avoided if WD had decided not to save 2c by leaving D1 unpopulated.

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

I have to correct my self... if smooth is shorted/burned it shouldn't be able to power on, so no sound would be heard.
If he first heard clicking sound then it could be that preamp has shorted or smooth chip got damaged but wasn't totally dead yet.

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My firmware database:
https://mega.nz/folder/O01DkBRI

anyone can please advise where i can buy complete pcb from ?

Ebay will probably be the easiest place to find one. DR specific seller will charge a premium.

_________________
Data Recovery Services in the UK.
https://www.usbrecovery.co.uk/

There's just enough reason to have a pro working on it:
- there is no external ROM chip you could swap to the new PCB
- possible damage to the preamp needs to be excluded
- cleanroom work is required in case preamp is gone
- without proper tools it is a pita to work on head-swapped HDDs and most probably leads to severe surface damage sooner or later.

pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery