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    Any way to bring back a dead HDD?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by t30power, Dec 21, 2008.

  1. t30power

    t30power Notebook Deity

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    I posted in another thread about a dead 5K250-160GB Hitachi HDD that no longer powers up. I tried putting it on the freezer to no avail.

    Any suggestions. I need to get my data back.
     
    t30power, Dec 21, 2008
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    At this point, the only option is to send it in to recovery specialists.
     
    Greg, Dec 21, 2008
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  3. Noterev

    Noterev Notebook Consultant

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    in the freezer?

    What did you do, get it wet?
     
    Noterev, Dec 21, 2008
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  4. TabbedOut

    TabbedOut Notebook Evangelist

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    This is actually a well known way to recover data from a dying drive (like the drive is crashing). If it is losing power though there isn't a whole lot you can do beyond sending it out to a specialist.
     
    TabbedOut, Dec 21, 2008
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  5. Big Mike

    Big Mike Notebook Deity

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    If it just doesn't power up it's POSSIBLE it has a bad controller board which can be swapped out with one from a good drive. You need to try and find the exact same model and PCB revision # to ensure that it will work though.
     
    Big Mike, Dec 21, 2008
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  6. Tinselworm

    Tinselworm Notebook Deity

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    everbody get into a circle and hold hands!
     
    Tinselworm, Dec 21, 2008
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  7. Noterev

    Noterev Notebook Consultant

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    I think it's well known way of wishful thinking.

    ;)
     
    Noterev, Dec 21, 2008
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  8. t30power

    t30power Notebook Deity

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    . I should accept the disk's death. Which torx screwdriver should I use to remove the PCB board, do I need to get a one exactly of another 5K250 drive? I would never buy a Hitachi again, first this drive then a 5K320 noisy and not able to read temp/manage AAM accoustics.
     
    t30power, Dec 21, 2008
    #8
  9. ahl395

    ahl395 Ahlball

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    At this point, you will need a special company to to it. Its very pricey though. Around $2000.


    Im assuming you would need one from the same exact drive. ;)
     
    ahl395, Dec 22, 2008
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  10. Brian_C82

    Brian_C82 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I wouldn't open the drive unless you happen to have access to a Class 5000 clean room.
     
    Brian_C82, Dec 22, 2008
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  11. Noterev

    Noterev Notebook Consultant

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    You didn't describe any symptoms. Is it just a power issue?

    I would double check your cabling, especially if it's a tri-cable. One is used for power only. Try another usb port and then another computer. It could also be the enclosure. Got another hard drive to put in there? Lastly, slide it into the laptop and see if it's recognized.

    .
     
    Noterev, Dec 22, 2008
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  12. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I know my former Maths teacher in Germany swapped out the elctronics onhis HDD and manged to get his data back...
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 22, 2008
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  13. Big Mike

    Big Mike Notebook Deity

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    Dunno what size it is off hand they tend to vary, you'll want a PCB not only off the same model but preferably the same PCB revision # (sometimes they don't change anything important but ive seen examples where 2 of the same drive have enough changes that the PCB from one wouldn't even fit the other one).
     
    Big Mike, Dec 22, 2008
    #13
  14. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Hi.

    I sold an second hand HDD on ebay and the buyer said all he wanted the HDD for was the circuit board on the bottom to replace his identical fault one so he could recover his data.

    Regards

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Dec 22, 2008
    #14