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PCB replacement on HDD

kyozo Posted messages 109 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -  
flo88 Posted messages 28483 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -

Hello,
Following some issues with my computer, I fried 2 HDDs containing my backups. When I say "fried", I mean it literally, due to a bad connection on my modular power supply. Result = charred PCB!
Has anyone ever changed this part on an HDD?
Since the HDD is a Western Digital (the most complex case to change), before undertaking any unnecessary expenses, I would like to know if this operation has a real chance of working.

Hoping I’m on the right forum; thank you for your replies.

5 answers

  1.
    jee pee Posted messages 31872 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977
     

    It's a very rare operation. First of all, with a faulty HDD, you have to assume that the issue comes from the board, as it's generally the disk mechanism that's the problem. You and I both know that it's the electric shock that suggests this. After that, disassembling a PC and its components requires a bit of experience; you have to get the hang of it. The first times are problematic. I've broken several ribbon connectors while disassembling laptops. Moreover, with the disk, it's crucial to fully understand the connection and disconnection of the ribbon cable linking the board and the disk; it's not designed to be practical or to be taken apart.

    The last resort is always to call in a specialized company, which comes at a high cost.

    If I lose my backup disks (I have 2 backups), I usually still have the original; isn't that your case?

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    1. kyozo
       

      Thank you for your warnings, jeepee. Don't worry; While I’m not a pro or an expert, I've been dismantling computers for several years. In this case, the HDDs were in my tower which had a problem that took me over a month to resolve. While trying to clean up the PC, as the cables were not organized after the disassemblies, I mistakenly connected my new (but old) modular Corsair power supply incorrectly. So I know, having dismantled them, that it's the components that fried. The main circuit board. And since I did this while transferring my 2 TB of backup, it’s precisely those two that got damaged. Hence my desire (need) to save them, even if I end up doing something stupid. All my personal and professional files are in there.

      I had already done several experiments with hard drives. Unfortunately, without success. But I was focused on the mechanical part. It seems to me that I should fare better on the electronic side; if it’s just that which got damaged and if the operation is indeed feasible as several forums discuss.

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  2. flo88 Posted messages 28483 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   Ambassadeur 5 168
     

    Hello

    The purchase of a PCB to replace the fried ones doesn't seem far-fetched to you.

    This works provided that you have the same one, coming from an identical HDD (brand, model) and that nothing else but the PCB has been affected by the short circuit.

    It's hard to get an idea with only 2 opinions.

    But you are the one with the equipment in hand... each case is different. In a lab, they will give you a quote for this kind of case because no extrapolation is possible. We aren't clairvoyant about how you're going to attempt it... and without offending you, but you managed to fry it due to a wiring mistake. So.

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    1. kyozo Posted messages 109 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       

      Thank you for your intervention.

      You summarized the response that I just sent to jeepee. But if you tell me that the operation is feasible, I think (somewhat pretentiously) that I am capable of doing it. I just need the hot air desoldering tool. I have all the other equipment except for the PCBs. They are not easy to find at reasonable prices.

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      1. flo88 Posted messages 28483 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   5 168 > kyozo Posted messages 109 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         

        You will find many PCBs on AliExpress for all kinds of HDDs, you need to search on the site or from Google to find the same one.

        Ex: https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005007266149745.html

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      2. kyozoe > flo88 Posted messages 28483 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         

        Thank you, yes, that's what I saw. But have you ever bought/used it? Because this kind of site is not known for selling quality ???

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      3. .eric Posted messages 1386 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   86 > kyozoe
         

        Hello

        On the largest platform in the world, both professionals and individuals use it.

        The site is big enough to occasionally encounter incivilities, and there is no recourse in such cases, which is different.

        The hard drive manufacturer may have more information on the models that easily accept PCB inversion or those that do not allow PCB inversion.

        There are often difficulties with manufacturers in China due to the countless variants that are not all visible in the references. And language is really a barrier.

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      4. flo88 Posted messages 28483 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   5 168 > kyozoe
         

        HDD controller cards, I've never bought them on Aliexpress, but I regularly buy equipment there, for many years, with sometimes a few disappointments...

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  3. Panth33ra Posted messages 23122 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   Ambassadeur 2 363
     

    Hello,

    Here’s how to change the printed circuit board of your hard drive (HDD)... https://www.reparer-disque-dur.com/changer-le-pcb-sur-un-disque-dur/

    Read everything carefully. This is about Western Digital drives. In my opinion, the best option would be to buy a new hard drive (I’ve had this type of problem in the past!).

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    1. kyozo Posted messages 109 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       

      Thank you for your response Panth33ra,

      These are 2 disks of 1TB that contain all my backups; So buying another one wouldn't give me back my data. In fact, my question was whether anyone had already succeeded in this manipulation, to know its real effectiveness. Personally, I had already tried but without knowing the details of the operation. So the result was negative.

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  4. jee pee Posted messages 31872 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   9 977
     

    Hello,

    I once did this successfully. It was a removable disk drawer that fried the card. I had 2 identical disks, so I borrowed the card from the second one to put it on the first and retrieve files.

    But at that time, it was not a question of recovering components, marking the first disk; here, a bit of electronics is required. And above all, the components to be recovered must not have been fried.

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    1. kyozo Posted messages 109 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       

      Ok! Thank you for your feedback jeepee, I have also tried but without success. Hence my desire to get feedback on the success rate.

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  6. kyozo
     

    It is difficult to form an opinion with only 2 reviews. But in your opinion, does the manipulation (if done according to the rules of the trade) seem realistic/feasible??? Because it is true that you can find everything and its opposite on the internet. So, does buying a PCB to replace the burnt ones seem absurd to you???

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