Barracuda XT, Barracuda, Barracuda Green, DiamondMax and other desktop SATA and IDE drives

[mhaynes63]

Hi Guys,

I had a power supply failure that killed my harddrive.  The PCB has burn marks on it and some of the resistors near power supply connector are melted.  I managed to find a harddrive that is exactly the same and swap over the PCB.  The harddrive now powers up however it is detected in the bios as ST_M13FQBL and shows as 0MB space.  I am able to boot into windows and the drive shows as 3.6Gb under disk management.

Specs on the drive is as follows:

ST31000524AS

P/N: 9YP154-304

Firmware: JC4B

Date code: 11475

Site Code: SU

Now the PCB that I swapped over has everything exactly the same including firmware and date code.  The PCB comes from a brand new drive (never formatted or initialised).  There is no change to how the drive is detected even after I moved the good PCB back to new drive and initialsed and mounted (then moved back over).

I have been reading a few topics around the place saying you need to connect a serial cable and talk to it using terminal software if it is showing as ST_M13FQBL.  I am just not sure if this really applies to my situation.  Seems this was to fix a firmware issue that was fixed back on 2009.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Have got priceless photos on this drive that I don't have backed up.  Before you say talk to a professional, its not really an option, I am a student with no cash.

[fzabkar · Accepted solution]

You drive is identifying itself with a factory alias stored within the 8-pin serial flash memory IC on the PCB. This IC contains unique, drive specific "adaptive" data that must be transferred to your donor PCB. If you are not adept at soldering, then your local TV/AV repair shop should be able to do it for you.

Otherwise it may be easier to repair your original board. The usual result of an overvoltage is a shorted TVS diode, in which case the simple solution is to remove it.

See http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/TVS_diode_FAQ.html

In your case you also need to replace the burnt inductors with wire links.

Hopefully the following photo clips also apply to your model:

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST31000528AS_TVS.jpg
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/ST1000528AS_fix.jpg

If not, or if you need more help, upload a photo of your damaged board.

[mhaynes63]

Removed TVS diodes and had to run some wire round one of the burnt resistors.  Looks to be working.  In the process of copying everything over now

Thanks for the help.

[Ariel_M]

I have the same issue here. The same model and firmware.

Also bought a new hard drive (with the double priced one 'coz of the thailand problem) with the same model number and firmware.

Also, got it spinning, but drive not detected properly.

I already had the idea to remove the diode days ago from a lot of searching here. I am just afraid if this voids the warranty?

I purchased this only 2 months ago, and I want it to be replaced if possible.

I just can't return it without first getting all my files. The files are VERY important (pictures, videos, all important memories)

Is it OK to just disconnect one end of the diode and put something to avoid connection? Then if I can get this to work and get all my important files, can I return it to the store where I bought it and have it replaced under warranty?

Thanks by the way fzabkar. I've been reading your posts here and they were very helpful. Thanks a lot.

[Ariel_M]

mhaynes63 May I see what you did with your PCB? I mean how you fixed/replaced the inductors?

[fzabkar]

Ariel_M, isolating one end of the diode should be fine. I would also confirm that the inductors are OK, otherwise you will need to bridge them with a wire link. That said, don't be surprised if the drive still doesn't work, as the diodes do not always succeed in protecting the electronics, especially if the overvoltage strikes the +5V supply, as it has in your case.

Best of luck.

[Ariel_M]

Thanks. I hope only the diode is broken. 

[Ariel_M]

Tried to power the drive after removing the 5V TVS - didn't spin.

One inductor in the 5V rail seems affected...

Spent 1 day trying to link it with a wire.

I was able to pull a single strip of wire from an old power supply power cable. I thought it can't hold the power since it's very thin.

The other end of where I removed the affected inductor has a hole. So I placed the wire inside the whole, bend it's end, then taped it with electrical tape. Then soldered the other end to the other point of the removed inductor.

Powered on..

Heard something (the drive must be spinning!) - YEAH!

F2 F2 F2 F2 F2 - Drive config - 1TB was detected!!!!!

Booted windows 7 (from another drive) - My partitions are there!

Partially copied important files (database and program sources). I hope the drive stays good so that I can copy our family pictures, videos and all.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! fzabkar

Now I'm one of the many users you've helped and will help - for sure.

THANKS AGAIN