Hello everyone,

I have a very strange case with a Seagate HDD which just wouldn't be recognised by windows suddenly.
The data is not critical so I can't afford a professional DR, but I would still like to recover it if possible.
Here are the specs of the drive:
- Model: Seagate ST500DM002
- SN: Z3TBDTDD
- PN: 1BD142-302
- Firmware: KC45
- Date code: 13227 (2012-12-06)

Here is the sound that it produces (sorry it seems I can't upload mp3 here): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ziuU5H ... sp=sharing
I read a lot about various issues with this specific Seagate model, which sounds very similar to the famous "11 clicks then pin down" issue, often related to bad heads.
But in my case there is some kind of grinding on top of clicks, which I thought could also indicate bad spindle/bearing.

Of course, when I try to connect via the terminal I get the following messages 11 times:


So I first wanted to dump the ROM to get the preamp type etc, and it turns out that the chip is not responding at all.
The ROM chip is labeled "25FU406C 02 2XG05" which is an On Semiconductor LE25U40CMC.
I use a CH341A programmer (with 3.3V mod) which I already used many times in the past.
I first tried to read it from the board, then as I couldn't see any response I tried to solder it directly on the programmer.
No response at all from that chip when I try to "Read ID".
I can confirm that the programmer works fine as I immediately attempted to read a similar chip like Winbond 25X40BLS02, without any issues.

Could it still be the programmer at fault or am I correct to say that the ROM chip is dead?
I'm experienced with micro-soldering and I'm 99.9% sure the soldering is not what caused it to die if so.
Any chance I can recover the data/ROM?
Any chance buying a very closely matched board might fix this? I'm aware about adaptives but I read a few people saying that they were successful by using an identical drive, with only a few weeks of manufacturing difference (though perhaps not with this seagate model...)

Thank you very much in advance,
Hervé

PS: As this is my first post, I would like also to thank all moderators and contributors to this forum.

if you saw this, ROM is surely fine.

based on that terminal output the problem is most likely heads (and surface) so you won't get far with a board swap most probably.
pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Ok the ROM is fine indeed, it's just the "Read ID" which wasn't giving anything from the AsProgrammer software of the CH341A
I was able to simply click "Read" and create a backup.
The preamp type appears to be 73 03 stored in ROM.

So it's either heads and/or spindle/bearing I assume? Can anyone tell from the audio file if the bearings sound bad?
Hopefully there is no damage to the platters.
If so, is it theoretically possible to replace the base? Do heads (if not damaged of course) also need to be retrieved in such cases? or can it work with another set of heads, with same preamp, from a donor and only swap the platter (only 1 in this case).

Thank you

based on that sound the drive has a serious surface damage at the parking zone, perhaps at other places too.
This one is definitely for an experienced somebody, If the data is of low value, just let it go, or put the project on hold until you can afford a professional service. The more you run the drive the less the chances will be for a successful recovery.

pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Well the HDD belongs to a relative and values the data/recovery at ~100€.
So you're right, I also think it makes more sense to give up on this one.
Unfortunately the daily backup solution stopped working (because of windows drive remapping it seems? not sure...) but fortunately the last backup dates back from 3-4 months ago which isn't too bad in the end.

In any case I learned a lot about data recovery and HDDs in general so this was interesting.

Cheers,
Hervé