Hard Drive Spindle Controller Replacement

RubbishJunky

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Jan 22, 2015
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So I recently fried the spindle controller of my main storage drive(which isn't backed up :/), and I am trying to find the best way forward without losing that data. I know that pcb swaps are common, but as far as I can think, the new pcb wouldn't know where any of my data is an would just write over it. The only way forward that I can think of is swapping in a new spindle controller IC, but I haven't been able to find the exact model of the IC, as it is literally burned, all I can read is SMOOTH L7251 3.1 APV.
Details on the HDD in question: WD15EADS-00R6B0. PCB: 2061-771642-V00 01P. PCB revision A

Any help is greatly appreciated
 
Solution


If you don't trust yourself then definitely get someone that has data recovery experience to perform the work.
The control board has information in it that's specific to that drive, reason why it's not enough just to swap that board but the shops (1)look for a replacement board with the closest version, manufacture date, and (2)transfer some configuration over from old to new.

Spindle Controller. Watch Youtube videos where they swap HD platters, due old spindle ceased up, they have to move the platters very carefully because the platters are closely aligned and, and if u messed up, it's gone.

Wouldn't the path forward just to maintain backups? HD are dirt cheap and keep falling$.
 

RubbishJunky

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Jan 22, 2015
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How would I transfer the configuration from one PCB to another?
 

RubbishJunky

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Jan 22, 2015
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I have a source for an exact replacement PCB, but would my data be accessible? That is, would I be able to run say macrium reflect to recover files?
 


You should be able to use the HDD, like it was, as if it never failed.
 

RubbishJunky

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Jan 22, 2015
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That sounds right, but I'm not 100% positive it will work, I'm tempted to just ship it off to donordrives.com and have them do a bios swap and everything, as its the same cost as buying a new PCB
 


If you don't trust yourself then definitely get someone that has data recovery experience to perform the work.
 
Solution