Swapping Controller Boards

[Memnoch]

Ive read a few posts with people wanting to swap controller boards to get thier data back. I have a few questions about doing this:

What is the sucess rate?
What are the main complications when attempting to do so?
Can you buy a controller board direct from a manufacturer?
Where can you get the star shaped bits to unscrew the board?
Is soldering needed?

I'd like to give it a go with one of my dead drives, but I thought I would ask these questions before destroying my drive and loosing money.

 

[ChrisLX200]

Ive read a few posts with people wanting to swap controller boards to get thier data back. I have a few questions about doing this:

What is the sucess rate?
What are the main complications when attempting to do so?
Can you buy a controller board direct from a manufacturer?
Where can you get the star shaped bits to unscrew the board?
Is soldering needed?

I'd like to give it a go with one of my dead drives, but I thought I would ask these questions before destroying my drive and loosing money.

1) Where it's only the controller that's faulty and you have *exactly* the correct replacement (same firmware revision) then there's an excellent chance it will work. If it's a different firmware it may work - may not.

2) Ensuring you have the correct replacement part.

3) No, not that I'm aware of. Begging might work (didn't try that)

4) B&Q - or literally anywhere they sell those multi-bit screwdriver things.

5) No.

Be careful with the multi-way connectors, but no other probs.

 

[Memnoch]

Ive just emailed the manufacturer of my hard drive, so I hope I get a positive reply. Thanks for the info, when I get a new board Ill give it a go.

 

[tom_e]

The only real way to get exactly the right controller board is searching aution sites or second hand places where you can check the exact revision printed on the board