Seagate 7200.12 500gb hard drive failure

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
S

sidelancer

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
9
0
10,510
Yesterday my computer froze for a few seconds and then I got a BSOD. After this the computer couldn't boot because it didn't detect the 500gb hard drive (it has windows installed on it).

I checked the HDD by connecting it to other computers, it doesn't spin and doesn't make any noise...so I assume it is dead. I also noticed that when I shake it in my hand, I can hear a squeaky noise inside, like two surfaces rubbing together...does this mean anything about what kind of failure occurred? and maybe what I can do to fix it?

I would like to get the data back. I've heard of the "transplant" trick and the freezer trick...are these my options?

thank you for any help.

 
Solution
F
It sounds like the PCB is dead. If so, then a straight PCB swap will never work. Each board has unique, drive specific information stored in a serial flash memory chip. This 8-pin chip needs to be transferred from patient to donor.

The following PCB suppliers include such a transfer for free:

http://www.onepcbsolution.com/
http://www.hdd-parts.com/

That said, sometimes the problem can be as simple as a shorted TVS diode, in which case there is a no-cost DIY solution.

See http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/TVS_diode_FAQ.html

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST3500418AS_12V_TVS.jpg
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST3500418AS_5V_inductors.jpg
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST3500418AS_EEPROM_5V_TVS.jpg
Sort by date Sort by votes
D

ddpruitt

Honorable
Jun 4, 2012
1,109
0
11,360
I can hear a squeaky noise inside, like two surfaces rubbing together
Click to expand...

That's a bad sign, sounds like physical damage to the disks.

I would like to get the data back. I've heard of the "transplant" trick and the freezer trick
Click to expand...

This ideas are bad in the best of times and rely on half assed theories that don't stand up to scrutiny. Best case is you get some data, worst case is the drives become completely unrecoverable. If you really need the data invest in a data recovery service.

Then remember to always back up you data.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
smorizio

smorizio

Titan
Jan 22, 2010
30,984
9
125,315
if it a firmware failure (bricking issues) try see if a firmware update will recover the drive. if it the controller that dies then you can try replacing the pcb. if the spindel moter or heads have crashed then you have to replace them or have them replace and hopfully the paltters are not damaged. (costly to do this) pro data recovery lab has to do it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

sidelancer

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
9
0
10,510


Hi smorizio I'm confused by some things you said. My drive won't spin and isn't recognized by the PC...how can I do any of this?



how can I update it if the drive isn't even spinning? Surely it has to be recognized by the computer to be able to do a firmware update.



how do i know which of these problems is the cause?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

sidelancer

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
9
0
10,510


What is pcm?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

ddpruitt

Honorable
Jun 4, 2012
1,109
0
11,360
I doubt it's firmware related as they still allow the drive to power up though it may send strange data. If the BIOS isn't seeing the drive you can't update the firmware because it's not accepting commands, try connecting it elsewhere to see if it powers up. If you hear squeaking that may mean the heads aren't parked and the disc may or may not be physical damaged.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

sidelancer

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
9
0
10,510


Yeah its definitely not powering up and isnt seen on other PCs. The data on it is important to me, but definitely not enough to pay upwards of 1000 $ for data recovery... I am really tempted to open it up and see what the problem is.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

sidelancer

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
9
0
10,510
I've been doing more reading, it really seems like it could just be PCB failure, since my drive is not starting up at all. I could try buying another hdd with the same parameters and changing the boards.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
F

fzabkar

Judicious
Sep 22, 2010
9,324
721
36,390
It sounds like the PCB is dead. If so, then a straight PCB swap will never work. Each board has unique, drive specific information stored in a serial flash memory chip. This 8-pin chip needs to be transferred from patient to donor.

The following PCB suppliers include such a transfer for free:

http://www.onepcbsolution.com/
http://www.hdd-parts.com/

That said, sometimes the problem can be as simple as a shorted TVS diode, in which case there is a no-cost DIY solution.

See http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/TVS_diode_FAQ.html

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST3500418AS_12V_TVS.jpg
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST3500418AS_5V_inductors.jpg
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST3500418AS_EEPROM_5V_TVS.jpg
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom