Will this HDD ever work again?

dreszczyk · Aug 18, 2014

Recently i've encountered disk failure - it wouldn't spin up. I've bought the same disk and swapped electronic board and it spins the plates.

But still i can't access the files inside. I've opened it (I was careful) and noticed that it's just clicking like this: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fngs3wnypw8evjg/2014-08-07%2018.20.33.mp4?dl=0

Is there a chance? I know that opening it was silly.

cklaubur · Aug 18, 2014

Opening a drive outside of a cleanroom is usually a death sentence. Dust in the air can cause head damage.

That being said, the movement of the heads suggest seeking issues. Recovery is likely going to require professional services.

Sorry to give you bad news like that.

Casey

Mr Hollywood · Aug 18, 2014

Once opening a HDD it will never work again. When opening it it will be destroyed because even one spec of dust will kill it that is why when they are made everything is covered in plastic and everyone has to where protective suits. Sorry but it just wont work.

dreszczyk · Aug 18, 2014

cklaubur :

Mr Hollywood :

It was behaving like that even before I opened it.

yyk71200 · Aug 18, 2014

Yikes! You exposed the disks to unfiltered air. This is pretty much GAME OVER for attempting to read data. Even tiniest dust particles ruin these disks.

Mr Hollywood · Aug 18, 2014

No matter what get rid of the HDD because at this point it could be fire hazard since the heads are damaged. Sorry but you fought the HDD and HDD won!

dreszczyk · Aug 18, 2014

Mr Hollywood :

what? do you know anything about eletronics?

Mousemonkey · Aug 18, 2014

dreszczyk :

cklaubur :

Mr Hollywood :

It was behaving like that even before I opened it.

Changing the PCB was about the most you could have done, if that don't work then the drive is dead in my experience.

Mr Hollywood · Aug 18, 2014

dreszczyk :

If you damaged it they will just overheat you cant open HDD's. Obviously you dont know too much yourself.

Mousemonkey · Aug 18, 2014

Mr Hollywood :

A dying HDD can run hot and overheat anyway. If the drive is dead (that clicking) then opening it up isn't going to matter, as it's dead Jim.

dreszczyk · Aug 18, 2014

Mousemonkey :

dreszczyk :

Changing the PCB was about the most you could have done, if that don't work then the drive is dead in my experience.

This PCB is little diffrent than the other one (despite being the same disks - Samsung HM321HI), probably from different series. If I would find EXACT PCB, can it work? I need something to believe in :/

dreszczyk · Aug 18, 2014

Mousemonkey :

Mr Hollywood :

A dying HDD can run hot and overheat anyway. If the drive is dead (that clicking) then opening it up isn't going to matter, as it's dead Jim.

Well, after an hour it's still cold, it just clicks 10-15 times and stops. No system notifications.

yyk71200 · Aug 18, 2014

dreszczyk :

Mousemonkey :

This PCB is little diffrent than the other one (despite being the same disks - Samsung HM321HI), probably from different series. If I would find EXACT PCB, can it work? I need something to believe in :/

If you didn't open it, may be. But you did, so no, it won't.

cklaubur · Aug 18, 2014

Mr Hollywood :

If anything, the dust in the air will scratch the disk. It will not catch fire, though.

dreszczyk, unfortunately, you have a brand new paperweight for your desk. If the drive was having seeking issues before the board swap, there wasn't much of a chance for recovery without specialized equipment.

Dead drives do make nice clocks, though...

Casey

Mousemonkey · Aug 18, 2014

dreszczyk :

Mousemonkey :

This PCB is little diffrent than the other one (despite being the same disks - Samsung HM321HI), probably from different series. If I would find EXACT PCB, can it work? I need something to believe in :/

I've been lucky when I have tried it as I tend to buy several HDD's at a time, sometimes the exact same PCB that is one or two digits on and from a working HDD doesn't work. Have you tried the PCB from the dead drive on the drive that donated said PCB?

dreszczyk · Aug 18, 2014

Mousemonkey :

dreszczyk :

I've been lucky when I have tried it as I tend to buy several HDD's at a time, sometimes the exact same PCB that is one or two digits on and from a working HDD doesn't work. Have you tried the PCB from the dead drive on the drive that donated said PCB?

Yup, I did. The donor drive doesn't work either (nothing happens). I think I will just try to find exact same series and try anyway... I can't afford thousands for recovery (photos) :/

4745454b · Aug 18, 2014

Seeing as you already opened it you might as well try swapping the disks. You got nothing to lose. Other then the new drive of course. I've never done this, but I hear you need the EXACT parts.

fzabkar · Aug 18, 2014

You would need to be lucky with a board swap. That's because the firmware in the flash memory on the PCB has to match the firmware in the hidden System Area on the platters.

To ensure a match, you would need to transfer the 8-pin flash memory chip ("BIOS IC") from patient to donor.

There are PCB suppliers who include such a service in the price.

http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-14437584971410/hm641ji-hm641ji-s3m-rev-02-r00-c6493-g84a-aa6ag-rev-a-2-5-sata-samsung-pcb-fw-5.gif

http://www.onepcbsolution.com/229283326s.html
http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-44463692235217/315a-4.gif
http://www.hdd-parts.com/13102676.html

Will this HDD ever work again?

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