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Replacing controller board WD Black

Ahhzz

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So, I've got a small stack of WD blacks that are in various stages of infestation, packed, and failing. One of the drive is giving a "Problems occurred between the communication of the disk and the host 339 times" from HD sentinel, and I'm considering taking the one with platter/sector issues, and stripping the controller off, moving it to the "communication" error drive. Any point in trying this? Any pitfalls to be aware of? thanks!
 
These, the Blues and the Greens are known for oxidation, even without any infestation! (if you're talking about any animal infestation or bug infestation)

Also, look for corrosion!
 
Firmware on Disk Drive main board will probably not recognize different Drive
you can try it but from experence with other identical drive it will not work
 
These, the Blues and the Greens are known for oxidation, even without any infestation! (if you're talking about any animal infestation or bug infestation)

Also, look for corrosion!
Actually talking virus, but thanks! :)
 
Hi,
Have you tried to clean them with linux.
 
Hi,
Have you tried to clean them with linux.
Sorry, I assume that's a serious question, but when I first saw it, I read "Lysol", not linux heheh. No, I'm not really that concerned over the drive. I've already reloaded a new drive, and I'm just pulling data off the good one as I find time to strip it. I'll burn it to the ground one day, and use it for a backup drive until it crashes :) thanks tho
 
Hi,
Haven't run into that distro yet lol
 
So, I've got a small stack of WD blacks that are in various stages of infestation, packed, and failing. One of the drive is giving a "Problems occurred between the communication of the disk and the host 339 times" from HD sentinel, and I'm considering taking the one with platter/sector issues, and stripping the controller off, moving it to the "communication" error drive. Any point in trying this? Any pitfalls to be aware of? thanks!

I believe the bad sectors are stored on a chip, and that would need to be transplanted, but the oxidation idea is a good one
Here’s a Surprising Trick Repairing Hard Disk (HDD) | Electronics Repair And Technology News (jestineyong.com)
 
Here’s a Surprising Trick Repairing Hard Disk (HDD) | Electronics Repair And Technology News (jestineyong.com)
Lol, HASL-ing the ENIG.

Probably don't actually do it on DRAM contacts tho, unless you're fine with them potentially soldered shut to the socket over time.
 
I would not recommend soldering the contacts, but rather cleaning them and then treating them with a little silicone oil.

The dangers of soldering are not so much binding over time as lifting of the pads during soldering.
 
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you can swap the boards on the drives as long as they are the same part number. once you swap the boards you will not have access to the information unless its threw recovery software. but if you are just trying to get a working drive than plop the replacement board on, format and call it a day.
 
What about factory mapped out sectors? which varies from drive to drive.
 
I don't know... I think I'll give it a try tomorrow, see what smokes :) thanks for the input all :toast:
 
you can swap the boards on the drives as long as they are the same part number.

Yep, been there done that..........Several years ago with two identical drives. The PCB's had the exact same part number and it worked just fine.

Heck, I think I still have that drive somewhere. LOL. I think it was a WD Black 250 gig drive, if I remember right.
 
Black the black just check to make sure the model numbers are very closely related
 
Couldn't hurt to try just doubt it will work
 
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