I have a Seagate Barracude 7200.7 ST3160023A2 that spins up, clicks, but doesn't beep. This is a Dell OEM.
Recovery is not critical, but would be nice. (I.e., I can spend $50 but not $1500.)

What hasn't worked:
I insulated the board from the heads as described in http://sites.google.com/site/seagatefix/ and tack-soldered leads to my TTL level converter using a Metcal SMT soldering station. (The level converter is just resistors and transistors, not a MAX232, but it's worked fine for me with microcontrollers and GPS modules.)

I have not tried with the heads attached. I've tried both ways of connecting the TX/RX pins. Level shifter loopback test works.

Using HyperTerminal at 38400/8/N/1/None I'm unable to get any response from Ctrl-Z, either with the motor leads attached or not.

Question 1: Is it possible that the Dell OEM firmware has changed or disabled the RS232 commands?

What I'm about to do:
I've ordered a replacement board from an auction which matches in every parameter listed (model, p/n, configuration, firmware, site code, main controller IC). I plan to first see if I can get to the serial connection on this new board, as it was listed as "tested and working." Then I plan to install it on the patient drive and see if I can recover some data.

Question 2: I've searched this and other forums and been unable to find information about whether I need to move a chip from patient to donor in order to do this, and if so, which chip. I have a suspicion it's the STM 25PO5A-AV SPI flash memory, but there's another 8-pin SOIC on board that I can't identify, a 4833 with an illegible logo. Am I correct that I need to move the 25PO5A from the patient to the donor?

Thanks,
Leigh.

First off, you're using the instructions for a 7200.11 on your 7200.7 with a completely unrelated problem.

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

Sorry for being unclear. I'm using the same serial data connection as described in the 7200.11 paper.
I'm not going to perform the actions described there; I just want to see if I can get any service log information out of the port.

Leigh.

The problem is elsewhere. If you don't know what to do, send to a pro.

Hi Friend,
Please waist upto 50 usd to check the pcb to purchase with same model no ,same firmware and try to same part no . but as per my experience with this family is having the firmware problem upto 90% ,as they are not dropped or any lightining problem.
so try to your nearest data recovery person to get your data back.

In fact money for a pcb is WASTED, as the problem is elsewhere.

Hi ,
I already suggest and as per my experience the problem is from firmware related and before done the firmware process i also check the pcb with proper model no /part no/exact part no if the pcb components are not heating up.or they are heating after giving the supply then that is firmware problem as per my experiece and the hard drive family they described is having upto 90% firmware problem so i suggest or please give more suggestions...

You weren't being unclear. The 7200.11 architecture is very different from earlier seagates in terms of terminal usage, so using the same methods of accessing the terminal is not going to work.

That being said, as the other folks here are saying, terminal access probably isn't going to help your drive.

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

Thanks for all the advice and kind words. I hadn't realized the 7200.7 would have such a different serial interface from the 7200.11. I did notice the Agere chip was a little warm. I'll replace the board and if that doesn't work, then I'll be done. I haven't lost any critical data, just a little pain. I'll close the loop when the part arrives, for the archives.

Leigh.

Baud rate on 7200.7 is 9600, not 38400.

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