19volt power supply plugged into a 12volt Seagate External.

You can guess what happened. Simply stopped operating. It's funny because I recently recovered from a virus, this WAS the backup of what I had to wipe.

Seagate, 500GB external onetouch backup.

Inside:

Barracuda 7200.9
ST3500841A
P/N: 9BD038-560
Firmware: 3.AAE
Date code: 06274
Site Code: AMK

We managed to open it after trying multiple tools. We used a screw driver with a drill bit, eating away at the plastic until we got to the precious metal core.

At this point I purchased a USB to SATA/IDE cable in hopes I would be lucky, but to no avail, not that I didn't expect that.

Plugging it in. It managed to smoke this time. I little black thing in the corner, which I believe to be the TVS diode?
Broke in two, burned my friend's hand. I feel really bad about that.

But here I am, looking for a retailer who could sell me a HD with the same firmware. Near impossible to find.
I'm desperate. I would love to see if there are any other options for me.

My room-mate and I recently got evicted from our apartment. I brought my laptop, my external, and my clothes.
This is my life, I'm a digital artist.

If it's really just the TVS, just take it off and bridge the contacts with something. Just make sure not to shock it again.

Edit: If this drive really is your life, quit mucking about with it and send it to someone professional.

_________________
You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

DO NOT bridge the contacts ! A TVS is normally open circuit. If you bridge the contacts you'll make a shortcircuit in the power supply.

Just remove it an then try to power the drive again.

Best regards,

Dobre

_________________
Murphy was an optimist

Datarecovery in Belgium, Holland, France and Germany
Datarecoverytools http://www.drtools.eu

Agreed. Unless if you want more expensive smoke, just remove it. If you think you might use the 19V supply again on it, replace it with one from any junk drive that has a 12V TVS.

My fault. I was thinking of a fuse that died on a different drive. That's what I get for cruising the forums late at night instead of going to sleep.

_________________
You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

Thanks for the advice. I still haven't tried anything as I am tempted to just pay the professionals. It's just SO costly.

Where are you based?

_________________
PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!

PCimage, I'm in the USA, California.

Now, another idea, maybe purchasing a slightly older seagate barracuda, and UPDATING the firmware, THEN switching out the entire chipsets on the hard-drives? does that sound safer? they're the same model, almost to a t, I'm just worried about the firmware.

If you're capable of updating the firmware, and switching out the entire chipset, why not just remove the TVS first? As long as you're confident in your power supply, it's likely safer, and much easier. Any time you remove chips, you run the risk of damage to the PCB, shorts, or to the chips themselves from heat or static. If you really want someone to do it for you, you can send it to me

Rolf...

The firmware is on the platters of the drive, not the PCB.

Like rchadwick says, I would remove the TVS first. Or send it to him.

Cheers

Sean

_________________
PC Image Data Recovery
http://www.pcimage.co.uk

New!! HDD-PCB.COM for all your PCB and donor HDD requirements!