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

[Aelirenn]

Couple days ago my backup HD ST31000333AS went down. All my data is gone Just great...

It still has valid warranty, so wrote to Seagate and got usual 'we are not responsible for anything' answer.

I got this HD as a gift and had no idea there is such problem with 7200.11 series.

Disk doesn't spin, it's invisible in Seatools.

I would like to avoid expensive data recovery (a little too much for my budget...), so I am going to try PCB switching (if I find matching PCB).

Anyone had similar problem? Can you advise anything?

If anyone has operational matching PCB, I would be willing to pay a reasonable price for it

[Cantbecanit]

All might not be lost yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29FztWJVxbM&feature=related

If you need more info google Gradius Seagate fix, hth.

[fzabkar]

If the drive doesn't spin, or attempt to spin, then it's not a BSY bug issue. It's most probably a board fault.

That said, when swapping boards, you need to transfer the 8-pin serial flash chip, or its contents, from patient to donor. This IC stores unique, drive specific "adaptive" information.

The following article should help you identify the components:

HDD from inside: Main parts:
http://hddscan.com/doc/HDD_from_inside.html

Some board suppliers include a "firmware transfer" or "ROM" transfer service for US$10 - $20. Otherwise, if you are not adept at soldering, your local TV/AV shop should be able to do it for you.

http://www.onepcbsolution.com
http://www.hdd-parts.com/firmware-transfer.html

[Searecovery]

This supplier is also offers seagate pcb:  http://www.hddzone.com/seagate-barracuda-720011-pcb-c-8.html

Your local electronics repair shop can also offer firmware transfer for  $5 - $20