Hi, I am wondering anyone has encountered this problem before. And thank you for reading this post.

Seagate ST3250623A 250G
IDE
Firmware 3.04

In any condition, BIOS can detect the HDD well.
But I can neither install XP on it nor use it as a slave drive with the other master drive with XP.
Whenever I try to install XP on the disk, it fails to run the XP setup steps after the XP files are copied to the drive and computer reset.
Whenever I use it as a slave drive, the computer cannot launch XP after POST.(The other drive, i.e. the master drive , can launch XP alone quite well)

I use a low level FORMAT without a problem and then use MHDD to check it out.
MHDD SCAN shows the HDD has no problem at all. No colored sectors.
But when I use MHDD ERASE, it shows CATASTROPHIC FAILURE: BROKEN DISK.

Anyone knows what the problem is? Or any suggestions?
Thanks for your help.

woo... it looks like the problem is tough...
I think I would like to try a firmware update.
Can anyone send me the firmware for my HDD model? ST3250623A?
PLEASE SEND TO cchiaming at gmail dot com
THANKS SO MUCH.

hi, i have same problem with ST3250623A with same firmware.
If anyone find it, please send me a PM.
Thanks so much.

What do the SeaTools say to the drive? Try a full erase there.

Do you still have the harddisk?
I have a desperate need for the PCB...
My specifications are:

Barracuda 7200.8
Model:ST3250623A
P/N:9Y7263-560
Firmware: 3.04
Date code:06267
Site code:WU

Can you upload a detailed photo of your damaged board?

What is its failure symptom?

Symptoms: After a long time not using the drive, I needed some files and I connected to the computer. The HDD did nothing. No lights, no noise, no spinup... absolutely nothing. Dead. No smell of burned circuitry.
Opened the case (it was a USB external HDD) and removed one of the boards, with power and USB connections.... and aI was left with a normal internal HDD.
Tried to connect to a desktop computer using power connection and IDE cable.
The computer didn't start, but instead started to beep continuously.
I deducted that there is a short somewhere on the PCB.
Later, I succesfuly managed to break a small 8 pin component on the upper left corner. (miiisa very clumsy sometimes. miiisa banging my head to the wall to no avail)

Never before the HDD had any logical problems.

Does anyone of you have a PCB like that? Or a PCB that will mach?
The specificatins seems to be the same with the owner of the thread. (see my other message).

I am hoping I can borrow a working PCB just enough to transfer my files, and then return the PCB to you (obviously I cannot trust this HDD anymore and I will never use it again).
If the party wants it, I can give the rest of the HDD for parts (hope you'll never need parts, but... better safe than sorry).
Or I can simply buy the PCB, if you don't need it anymore and want the money.
Or any other solution you may think of.
All I need are my files.
You can contact me at jazzcat_ro[at]yahoo[dot]com
First person who give me a solution gains a sixpack of beer, at his choice
Along with my eternal gratitude.
Thank you guys...

Your drive probably has a shorted TVS (transient voltage suppression) diode. You can desolder it or snip it out with sidecutters. The drive will work quite happily without it, albeit without protection on the corresponding supply rail. Just be sure your power supply is OK.

See the photo of the PCB in this article:

http://hddscan.com/doc/HDD_from_inside.html

For continued protection, you can replace your diode with an SMBJ12A (12V) or SMAJ5.0A (5V). These are available from Farnell, Mouser, Digikey.

Your TVS diodes are located near the power connector.

Here is the datasheet for the 12V diode.

600 Watt Peak Power Zener Transient Voltage Suppressor, 12V, Unidirectional, p/n SMBJ12AON (marking = LEM):
http://www.icbase.com/English/ic_search ... 380605.pdf

The missing 8-pin component appears to be an array of four 82 ohm resistors. You can replace it with 4 discrete leaded resistors by soldering them at the plated through holes on either side of the array. You may need 1/8W resistors or smaller. Or perhaps you could use a package from a scrapped hard drive.

The board on the right do not worry about this one at all it belongs to the enclosure of your USB.

One you have tried to hook this drive directly to your laptop via IDE cable and power connector and the system beeps at you. This could be a short in the PCB that is causing this problem. Get a Voltage meter and set it to 200 and test the two TVS on the upper right hand corner of your PCB board and if one is shorted out you can remove it.

Then try again to attach this to your computer direct and see what happens then,

Look closely at the large smooth chip on your board and make sure it is not burned or you an see a small pin hole in this chip where it could of been burned from. Last but possible it could be the motor IC chip that is giving you problem. Start with the simple TVS and work from there to see if this one works for you.

_________________
Iorana Haraharaini

BAD cutting tips hard drive with MHDD 4.6
Usually when the hard drive is bad you would think of using HDD Regenerator to overcome, is it just a little heavier to use Partition Magic to remove the Bad Sector. But with the hard drive that Partition Magic is also insufficient to resolve how? Thrown in the trash is not the solution for people who do not have economic conditions or want more storage space. This article will show you tips for cutting Bad hard drives can not use Partition Magic. Results will be tested by your self.

I / Preparation:
- A pen and paper to record the parameters.
- Hiren's Boot CD. (Latest possible)

II / The Process:

Step 1: Determine hard drive partitions Bad Sector

- You use the program in the disk MHDD 4.6 Hiren'sBoot to check your hard drive. This is a program that scans the disk surface from high-speed and very accurate. To use MHDD, in the main menu you select 6.Hard Hiren'sBoot Disk Tools. More then twice to select Menu 4.MHDD to 4.6.



In the program window you select the order you need to check the drive. Then press Enter, then press F4 twice to start the scanning program.

- Now you or pay attention to right-hand column of the program, the bottom is the percentage of the drive is scanned. Let's take a pen and paper to record the percentage was about Bad too (corresponding to the deep red and red X).



For instance, that hard drive is bad 3 between 16% and 20% from 32% to 40% and from 72% to 84%. But you should add more than 2% thus safer. So at this time would be 14% to 22%, 30% to 42% and 70% to 86%.

Step 2: Calculate the capacity to conduct cutting bad:

- The first is about the size of all was bad. You get full hard disk capacity divided by 100 would be worth 1% of capacity. From then multiplied by the percentage obtained when scanning for calculation. As above, with a 40GB drive would be: 2.8 GB, 4.8 Gb and 6.4 Gb.

- With the calculation on my hard drive will be structured as follows:




Step 3: Perform cutting the hard drive is Bad:

- You should use the program DiskManager 9:57 Hiren'sBoot to do this. Disk Manager (DM) is often used in civil engineering division of the hard drive, it makes the standard and "clean" a lot more than Partition Magic. To run your programs in DOS and type in Hiren DM.

- In Advanceed program you select Options, select Yes if the program into question.



Until appearing Partitions Option Select a table you select Define your own bottom and begin the process of partitioning the drive as you have calculated the structure.

- The first DM will ask you to enter the primary partition size, the rest will be Extended partition. You then press Tab to move to the Extended, where you press N to start splitting the partition into the partition as Logical to calculate capacity. According to my drive, it will be a Primary partition Logical partition and 6. You will see the DM has precise division of Cylinder on your hard drive.


Finally, to cut the part you just choose the Bad the Logical partition containing the Bad and press Delete to disable them. Then select Save and Continue to DM save the hard drive partitions.

III / Conclusion:

Bad cutting drive is not available to those who lack patience because it is complex, sometimes have to repeat several times for success. But the benefits it brings is undeniable.