Hey - I am new and I am 'just an end-user' - no talent for system fixing or system restore.

I've got the above HDD that came from an eMachine.

Long story short, the hard drive will not do anything.

I began having computer issues, and thought it was my video card. My monitor began giving a display message every now and then suggesting no signal input.

I searched high/low on the internet, and was given help on a forum. I purchased a new video card, installed it and still had the issues. Needless to say, the system was 5-6 years old, so when that did not work, and folks began discussing memory and mother boards, I opted to purchase a new system.

So, I did that. I also purchased an external HDD USB holder, thinking I would be able to remove my hard drive, put it into the adapter and get my data. I have not backed up in a while.

I followed the instructions, and tried the hard drive in the holder. It would not work. I pulled another hard drive from an older system here, and tested the holder. It worked just fine. I tried to put my DeskStar into the older system, and it doesn't work there either.

The hard drive appears, for all practical purposes, dead. Does not hummm or do anything. I see nothing wrong with the Processor board and am not too savvy about all this.

Am I going to be able to recover anything? I never had any 'lightning', any sparks, any funky sounds, any notification that the hard drive was failing and I am bummed out!!

If you give me suggestions, please keep it simple!! Thanks in advance!

Take it to a pro.

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Zero Alpha: zeroalpha.com.au
Find Cheap Donor Drives App: https://www.zeroalpha.com.au/donor-drive-app Updated February 2026

I see many posts regarding power supply failures in eMachines. Motherboard damage is often the result. The fact that your drive doesn't spin would suggest a problem with its circuit board. Could you upload a detailed photo of the component side? Perhaps it was overvolted?

Thanks for the replies! I will find my camera and take some photos of the HDD.

If a pro is suggested, I realize from reading and researching here that names and/or companies are not to be named. However, my hope is someone can PM me and recommend a provider in the US.

Is there a limit on the photo size? I've got a couple appts. this AM, but can hopefully post this afternoon. Again, Thanks!!

OK - a day later....here are some photos of my hard drive.

I did try to upload photos, but they are not here. Did I do something wrong?

I guess I'll try again.....

I'm no DR guy, but it seems to me that a PCB swap will probably work, as long as you transfer the 8-pin serial EEPROM chip at U5 (L76R) from patient to donor.

However, if this were my drive, I would check the onboard supply voltages, and I would verify continuity in the motor windings.

There are three zero-ohm links (R25, R29, R4) that arouse my curiosity, too.

Thank you - I am now going to have to research how to do what you suggest.

Are there any other ideas/suggestions/feedback? Thank you!

NVRAM got to be transfered or swap will work in very low persentage of success.

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Good Luck
http://www.datarecovery.net

Hey there, this is kind of off topic.
but i am trying to find one of these hd's because i blew a chip on the pcb on mine a while back.
If you are unable to re-use this hd, is there any possible way i could get the pcb connected to the hd?

I'd be happy to pay etc.

I've important stuff i want to recover off the hd so it'd be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Upload a detailed photo of the component side of the PCB.

Thanks for your help.

That's the motor control chip. I was hoping to see something repairable.

Is there nothing i can do, like bypass the chip etc?
Only thing i can think of is try find another hd of this kind and replace the pcb.

You can change the motor IC or the pcb itself .
In your case its better that you find a pcb .

That " burned " could be damaged inside MHA too, be carefull, if start to knocks u knows the problem, there u need to send to a professional company if u even want to tri DIY, read this post

consequences-diy-t14953.html