Swapping a board with a western digital my book essential 1tb

[mike6623]

My WD book essential must have had a power surge and the board fried. It was less than a year old. The light turns on, but doesn't read. Best buy said they couldn't read it, and that it would cost 800-1000 to send out for data recovery as I had like 800gb on there of stuff that I need, but not worth 1000$. Since it spins and all of that, can't I just buy a new board (the same one) and put it on there?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

That is a really good idea but not an absolute guarantee this exact process is what may of the recover firms try first among other tricks.

 

[mike6623]

That is a really good idea but not an absolute guarantee this exact process is what may of the recover firms try first among other tricks.

what other tricks? I mean, I thought it was a good thing that the drive spun and the light tuned on, but the fact that the pc wouldn't recognize it is not good, but I am not ok with paying 800$ for data recovery. That just tells me it is possible. I just thought switching out boards, even though I have never done anything like that, could work..who knows. Any other ideas are welcome !!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I googled this very issue for a friend with a faltering Iomega drive. If the board is for the same model drive then this looks to be a excellent plan of attack. But as I mentioned odds are good it will work and once info is transferred you can switch board back on new drive or order just the board. The other ideas are of a more typical hanging drive arm issue (the clicking of death) which isn't what you described.

 

[Phone Man]

The drive is probably a Sata drive and you may be able to remove it from the case and plug it into a spare Sata port on your PC.

Jim

 

[mike6623]

I think that is what they did at best buy, no reading. Plus i have a SATA adapter, but it doesn't seem to fit this drive. Doesn't have all the little holes, or the 4 hole thing either?

 

[CB]

In your case you haven't mentioned what made it fried, normal usage or accidentally connected to higher voltage adapter.
If you can make sure that the damage is isolated only to the board, it's OK to swap identical board just to read and transfer data, then switch it back. An attempt to continue using it is too risky. If the damage extended to its mechanical drive, including the head, sure it's not a feasible option. Since you said it spins, try to take a closer observation by listening to it, if there is regular clicking sound, it certainly has mechanical damage (as already mentioned above). But if it goes smooth then it is good to go.

But I do not recommend you to buy new board, just have it from another similar drive you have if that possible.
Oh, you also need Torx type screwdriver.

I did it once with luck, saved many of my collections. And throw the old drive away.

Kevin

 

[mike6623]

In your case you haven't mentioned what made it fried, normal usage or accidentally connected to higher voltage adapter.
If you can make sure that the damage is isolated only to the board, it's OK to swap identical board just to read and transfer data, then switch it back. An attempt to continue using it is too risky. If the damage extended to its mechanical drive, including the head, sure it's not a feasible option. Since you said it spins, try to take a closer observation by listening to it, if there is regular clicking sound, it certainly has mechanical damage (as already mentioned above). But if it goes smooth then it is good to go.

But I do not recommend you to buy new board, just have it from another similar drive you have if that possible.
Oh, you also need Torx type screwdriver.

I did it once with luck, saved many of my collections. And throw the old drive away.

Kevin

they said that it most likey was a power surge, and we did have the power go out at one point right before I noticed the issue, and I hear no clicking.

 

[mike6623]

Okay, if I was to swap the board to get the data, is this what I would swap, the top part? Sorry, never done it before and don't want to do the wrong thing.

 

[CB]

Better to see both board presented in the picture.

I think all HDD have only one board attached. Once they are similar in type and series they are perfectly match. If you are sure you are good to go please be cautious and do it in your own risk. After disassemble it please mark each board with sticker to recognize it. Pay close attention in inserting HDD ribbon cable, have it placed securely and lock it, do it as near as possible to the table surface in case you drop it, HDD physical weight would cause your ribbon cable torn apart or folded if dropped.
When everything is in place and you are about to run it, put it upside down (board upside), put two layer of plastic wrap (from the kitchen) to cover the board. You need to touch the board by the cover on the first minute running for any overheating. If you feel certain part of the board is extremely hot then you need to stop immediately as you board will be bricked. Do not continue the effort, put back the board to the original HDD. If no heat detected then you are on.

Kevin

 

[mike6623]

Better to see both board presented in the picture.

I think all HDD have only one board attached. Once they are similar in type and series they are perfectly match. If you are sure you are good to go please be cautious and do it in your own risk. After disassemble it please mark each board with sticker to recognize it. Pay close attention in inserting HDD ribbon cable, have it placed securely and lock it, do it as near as possible to the table surface in case you drop it, HDD physical weight would cause your ribbon cable torn apart or folded if dropped.
When everything is in place and you are about to run it, put it upside down (board upside), put two layer of plastic wrap (from the kitchen) to cover the board. You need to touch the board by the cover on the first minute running for any overheating. If you feel certain part of the board is extremely hot then you need to stop immediately as you board will be bricked. Do not continue the effort, put back the board to the original HDD. If no heat detected then you are on.

Kevin

Once I removed this board, there was another underneath, that is why I ask. I will post another picture of the other board tomorrow. Just wasn unsure as to which one was the one I needed to swap in order to try.

 

[CB]

Then let's see first those pictures. We shall assure not to harm other known good HDD.

 

[mike6623]

Here is what both boards look like. Which one is the one I would swap to try to recover data? I just purchases the same drive, but it is a 1.5 tb instead of a 1tb. If that doesn't work, I am sure I can buy a board online somewhere, no?

 

[CB]

You need to swap them both. Be cautious working with the ribbon cable. You have make sure it comes from the same make and type. Have similar design, size, and dimension.
But first, here is my opinion on your pictures. I saw your board contact surfaces are mildly burnt. When you connect it to HDD power source is it really spin up with soft vibration that indicate it is mechanically alive? The problem is if the HDD motor had already burnt it might have already shortcut and would burnt next board connected to it.

Did you check the removable case? It has also small board in it, is it also have signs of getting burnt?

Kevin

 

[mike6623]

Sorry, what is the ribbon cable?

 

[Golden]

Sorry, what is the ribbon cable?

Hi,

I think he is referring to the IDE flat-strap???

 

[CB]

Colin. Yes, that is ribbon cable but for IDE.

What I referred is this type that connects board and mechanical assembly.

 

[Golden]

Ahhhhhhhh

 

[CB]

Mike I believe the other board isn't belong to your HDD but it is the board of your removable case (HDD enclosure), right? Normally HDD has only one board in it.


So you need to swap only HDD board, and don't put it back to its fried enclosure but connect it directly to any available SATA port on your Desktop PC.

Kevin

Edit:
Colin. it was fine..

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Looking closely at the board on the drive my eyes can see the heat burn marks that fried the drive. Fingers crossed that swapping with a like board will do the trick !