Hi,

Sorry - I'm a newbie - but I've had a look at the forums but can't find the info I need.

I have an older HDD that (I presume) fried when the power supply on my old computer blew up a few years back. I had the power supply replaced, and it works fine with a new HDD, but the original HDD has never worked since.

I've considered sending the old drive to a data recovery company but they seem very expensive (I guess I'll do that if all esle fails). The drive contains family photos etc that have sentimental value.

I understand that opening the HDD can render it useless (so I've left it sealed). I'm wondering however, if I could maybe repair the drive myself by replacing the PCB, or at least try that before sending it off to a company and maybe paying heaps. I'm presuming that doing this will not damage the disks inside (correct me if any of this is wrong).

What I'd like to know is, how difficult is it to replace a PCB? Remember, I'm not a technician but just an interested amateur. If it involves some fiddly soldering and some prior experience in electronics then it will probably be beyond me. If you can just interchange the PCB by unplugging & plugging them in, I'd be game.

For information, my HDD is a ..
SEAGATE Medalist 8422
Model ST38422A
8.6 Gb

I can provide other detail if required.

I've found a secondhand drive (identical model number, part number, firmware number & configuration level number) on the Internet but haven't bought it yet. I figure it would be useable as a source for the replacement PCB.

Just wondering if anyone could give me advice??

Thanks,
Nifty.

What's the problem with the drive?

Is it spinning up? Making any untoward noises?

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Hi, thanks for helping.

The drive appears to have no power - it is silent (I even listened with a stethoscope) and there is no vibration at all. The drive functioned normally before it crashed, and there were never any funny noises etc coming from it before it stopped working.

I'm using Windows XP (+ SP2) and currently have the damaged drive connected & set to slave on the end of the IDE cable.

I've checked the CMOS settings and the primary drive (an 80Gb Seagate) is listed OK, but the primary slave reads "Not installed". I'm not an expert at this kind of stuff, but I then changed the setting for the primary slave to "Auto-detect" hoping that it might come up. I saved the settings and exited before doing a restart.

When starting up, the computer seems to stall for around 30 seconds or so with the message "Auto-Detecting Pri Slave ... Press <ESC> to abort". Then, eventually it goes on to load Windows but the drive does not show when I check under 'My Computer'. I have the cover off the side of the computer, and it just sits silently throughout.

I'm not sure of any of this, but it looks like it has no power, hence that's why I'm wondering if the PCB is shot. What are your thoughts? I figure that if it is, and maybe if it's not too dificult to change, I could give that a try (with maybe some help from others on this forum). Otherwise I guess I will have to send it off to a company somewhere.

Thanks for your help, I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts are.
Cheers, Nifty.

yes, U can try replacing PCB, but I think it will be hard to locate one nowadays, unless on a 'reasonable' price.


pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Thank you Pepe,

I've found a second-hand drive that sounds like it might be OK. You are right - the drive is very old now so I was surprised to find one on an on-line store with a 90 warranty. It's the same model etc but I haven't bought it yet. I've listed the specs for both drives below ... my original and the (possible) replacement. Wondering what you think - would this be worth a try???

Both HDDs are a SEAGATE Medalist 8422 and both have the same model number - ST38422A

Other details are Original drive [specs for replacement drive]. The image that I have of the replacement drive is a little blurry - the only detail that might be doubtful is the Configuration level - my drive is KEF01, the replacement looks like KEF01 but might be KCF01 or similar. Sorry, but I'm not sure.

Model number: ST38422A [same]
Part number: 9N5002-301 [same]
Firmware number: 3.09 [same]
Lot Number: A46327 [A46323]
Configuration level: KEF01 [? same]
Date Code: 9941 [9947]
Site Code: ML2 [same]

Thought that I should just ask what you guys think before I do anything. I don't want to damage the drive if it turns out that I later have to send it to the professionals. Don't think that they'd be impressed.

I guess my other question is - is it difficult to swap the PCB? I know that you haven't seen my drive (I can send some images if you like) but I'm thinking that, if it just unplugs then I'd be willing to give it a try. I have an anti-static wrist strap and have done simple jobs like installing a HDD, DVD, added a graphics card and RAM before (all the usual simple stuff). If it involves unsoldering / resoldering then maybe I should get some help. Not sure if this is a dumb question, but I haven't taken the back off the drive yet. Some of the discussion on this forum makes it sound easy, but I'm not sure if I'm out of my league.

Cheers, and thanks again, Nifty.

I think there's a pretty good chance it'll work, assuming the only fault with the drive is the PCB.

Shouldn't do any harm to try the PCB, it comes off with 4 or 5 torx screws, easy.

Give it a go.

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Thanks pcimage,

I wasn't confident to take anything apart before asking. Probably routine for you guys, but a bit of a worry when you haven't done it before.

I've taken the cover off now and, as you said, there were some torx screws holding the PCB to the chassis. I took those out as well and the PCB came off easily - it just sits resting on some connectors. I was worried that it might have been soldered or something.

I've put it back together for now, and I've ordered the spare drive (to scavenge the PCB). It will take a while to come from Melbourne (to Murray Bridge, South Australia). I'll see if it works after swapping the PCB - if not, then I'll just send it off to a data recovery company. I think that will be about as much as I can do as the rest of this HDD repair stuff is too technical for me.

Just wanted to say thanks for your help. Thanks also Pepe. I really appreciate your time and your advice. Regards, Nifty.

Hi,

based on the parameters u supplied I also vote for trying it, the PCB must be compatible.

pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Thanks Pepe,

I'll let you know how I get on when the 'new' drive arrives. Probably around the middle of next week due to the Easter break. Thanks for helping me with this, I'd be lost without the advice.

Cheers and have a great weekend, Nifty.

Just a quick note to wrap up this topic ..

Pcimage & Pepe - I have replaced the damaged PCB and the drive is working once again.

I was relieved to find that all of the data on the drive is still intact - the drive contains family photos, including pictures of my sons when aged around 6 - 10 years, as well as photos of my father who has since passed away. As you can see, I was anxious to retrieve the data without damaging the drive further or losing it completely!!

I've since backed it up (twice to separate HDDs and also burnt to DVD) and I won't make that mistake again!

Thanks for your assistance. I know that this might have seemed like a simple problem for you guys, but it was something that I wouldn't have been game to try without your help. HDDs are pretty complex little devices and it's great to have a forum like this where you can get good advice when things go wrong.

Cheers and thanks again,
Trevor.

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Great news!

Glad it worked out for you.

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

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

nice to see a newbie with some common sense and a sensible approach to DR!

good job!

Yes and not ALL people get flamed when they come here... It's all about their attitude

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All went well until I plugged the drive in.

Agree 100%

Absolutely...

Stamp your feet, accuse us of "withholding information" and sulk the minute you don't get spoon-fed for free, and you get nothing!!

There's a right way and a wrong way to ask people to take time out to help for free.

Newbies take note!!

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

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

... Until the next whiner...