Other Cry for help! Need to find old WD drive

the pcb has no visible signs of damage.

 

got a couple of old WD lying around i'll grab a look for you tonight

 

Thanks !!!

 

I have used GetDataBack for NTFS to recover data from a drive that doesn't show up in windows one more than one occasion, that's one of the main features of data recovery software.

 

I would suspect if the PCB is knackered, then he might struggle to get it working.

Wolverine: Is that drive I posted earlier any use?

 

ok ill explain again the drive is DEAD the pcb is DEAD the drive doesnt only not show up in windows or in bios its not recognized by the pc in any way shape or form. You cannot use a simple recovery software when the computer its attached to has no idea that it exists and thats the end of it. Ive used software many times to recover data from working drives and this is not one of thoose otherwise i wouldnt be asking for a replacement pcb.

No sorry that wont work but thanks for trying.

 

Actually you can, I've done it, hence why I suggested it. If it didn't work for you I apologise but it was only a suggestion - I'm only trying to help mate.

Anyways on the PCB, do any of the chips seem to have a small "bulge" of some kind on it? If so then that will be the component that is damaged. If you can solder or know someone who can, try getting a replacement chip and changing it. Another option is to have an electronics specialist have a look at the PCB and they will beable to confirm if it is dead or not, though I would have no idea of what the cost would be for that kind of service.

I know data loss can be frustrating but if the data is that valuable to you, get it professionally recovered. I have a friends drive that I couldn't recover and on it was all his pictures of friends and family he has taken over the last several years. He has been quoted £200-400 depending on how much data gets recovered.

 

Look closely at the solder that joins the power connector socket to the PCB. I fixed a drive where the solder there was cracked from "over enthusiastic insertion" of the power cable.

I resoldered the offending connection and was able to get the data off (then I wiped & binned the drive).

 

Sorry if i came over all angry that was not my intent but ive tried several times with software before and when a drive is gone like this it has never worked because theres no way an aplication running on a system that has no contact with the drive at all to recover anything. I might as well run it without the sata connected. I have got a quote here in sweden and all i could get was between 500-2000euro and i dont have that kind of money so if i cant find a pcb the pictures are gone forever :/

 

Wow that really is an insanely high quote. Best of luck sourcing a pcb. Have you tried the WD forums? Thats probably your best chance of finding a pcb.

 

Seriously, try to reheat the PCB. It's probably your best chance at the moment.

Try to figure out if the PCB is lead free or not. If it's not, put the oven to about 220-230C. If lead free try 260-270C.

Then you make a jig for the PCB. It should have very good airflow around it, but must NOT touch any components. Some small screws and nuts through the mounting holes as "legs" should work just fine.

Then you begin the tedious process of trial and error. You need to heat it just enough for the solder to be tacky again, but not enough for components to burn/melt. Stick it in for about half a minute at first, and test. If that doesn't work, try for a longer period.


You don't really have anything to loose, do you?


edit: Thinking about it, you may want to go even higher on the temperatures.