burnt harddrives

[hbond]

Several weeks ago my power supply failed and fried my WD hard driv
(and one other less imnportant slave drive), DVD drive and all othe
hardware. I've since rebuilt the computer completely purchasing a ne
mother board, processor, hard drive etc. The new computer work
perfectly. However, I've tried to reconnect the old hard drives t
treansfer the old data, but they are not recognized. I believe tha
the power supply caused a power spike in the old computer killing th
circuitry. Any ideas how I can recover the data. Can the platters b
saved and installed in another drive? Thanks in advance

 

[dawg]

Any bit of dust getting on a HD platter will ruin it.Opening a drive outside
a clean room is not a good idea. You can replace the circuit board with one
from an identical drive.
Other than that if you can't access the drive at all,then an expensive
proffessional is the only other choice.
Have you tried any of the utilities at the manufacturers website?

 

[JAD]

Several weeks ago my power supply failed and fried my WD hard drive
(and one other less imnportant slave drive), DVD drive and all other
hardware. I've since rebuilt the computer completely purchasing a new
mother board, processor, hard drive etc. The new computer works
perfectly. However, I've tried to reconnect the old hard drives to
treansfer the old data, but they are not recognized. I believe that
the power supply caused a power spike in the old computer killing the
circuitry. Any ideas how I can recover the data.

Sure just use the backups of your data, you know the ones you burned to a
disk or to a HD not part of the system, that any prepared person would do.
I know it sounds rude, but you know how many times we hear this situation.
PEOPLE hard drives are volatile they will mess you up at any given time. The
saying goes 'those who backup never have a hard drive die', I guess hard
drives know when its fruitless.


Can the platters be

 

[philo]

<snip>


You can replace the circuit board

with one from an identical drive.

that's about all one can really do without exceedingly expensive lab work.
if you can find an identical drive...it's at least worth a try.
if you are careful...you can at least put the board back
in the original drive if it does not do the trick.

fwif: i've tried it a few times without success

 

[Ken]

Several weeks ago my power supply failed and fried my WD hard drive
(and one other less imnportant slave drive), DVD drive and all other
hardware. I've since rebuilt the computer completely purchasing a new
mother board, processor, hard drive etc. The new computer works
perfectly. However, I've tried to reconnect the old hard drives to
treansfer the old data, but they are not recognized. I believe that
the power supply caused a power spike in the old computer killing the
circuitry. Any ideas how I can recover the data. Can the platters be
saved and installed in another drive? Thanks in advance.

If your hard drive was lost due to an increase in the applied voltage,
almost certainly the problem exists on the logic board. Further, often
the problem is a choke in the power bus that has opened. You can of
course seek a logic board exactly the same as the one you use, but you
might also find an open choke that is easily replaced.

 

[DaveW]

You CANNOT transfer the platters. They can only be removed in an industrial
speced "clean room:"

 

[hbond]

WHat is a choke? I'd like to try that first

 

[hbond]

No, I haven't tried the WD utilities. Since the computer can't
recognize the drive I didn't think it would work. If I replace the
circuit board, can I use any WD board or do I need to find one from
an identical 160 G drive? Is there a data source to identify the
boards? As for the comment on data back up, I think I've learned a
valuable lesson! Thanks again.

 

[Ken]

WHat is a choke? I'd like to try that first.

A choke is a coil used to sustain current. On most logic boards used
for HDs, they are small square surface mounted devices (probably no
larger than 1/4 inch) and are found in series with the power buses. I
would take an ohm meter and start from the power connector to see if I
can find one open. If you do, you can take an old logic board and very
carefully replace a defective one with a good one. Although you may not
find exactly the same value used on the original board, it will probably
work fine if the physical size is close. Coil values are much more
critical when used in "Tuned" circuits.

All these suggestions assume you have tools and soldering skills. If
not, let someone who does replace the choke if you find one open.

 

[hbond]

Thanks Ken

I am going to look for a schematic and attempt the repair. I coul
return the drive to WD, but I only paid $20 for it (160 G) afte
rebates. Its the perfect opportunity to learn. There is no critica
data on the drive, but my daughter has her collection of mp3s tha
she'd like to retrieve. I'll get my ohm meter out this weekend.
really appreciate the help