Fried HD Logic Boar...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Fried HD Logic Board

7 Posts
4 Users
0 Likes
714 Views
(@streetforensics)
Posts: 55
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

I fried the logic board of a HD for a DVR (pushed 15v into a 12v DVR…using the wrong power cord - I since have the correct one) DVR still functions but the HD doesn't power up. From what minimal knowledge, research and what talking with smarter people have told me, a TVS Diode has been fried. I had one replaced by a friend who has done this before but the drive still doesn't power…

I happen to now have the same make/model drive in the office and tried a logic board swap, not expecting it to work due to the firmware being surely different. The drive powered, but of course wouldn't mount.

Since I screwed this up, I am really hoping to fix it so is there anyone out there who either can give me some tips, or possibly can direct me to a place who can try troubleshooting the drive/logic-board? The latter preferred since I seem to be rather dangerous to electronics at the moment.

The DVR may have captured a burglar suspect, so I feel extra dumb for frying it…

 
Posted : 23/05/2017 11:36 pm
(@deltron)
Posts: 125
Estimable Member
 

I have been watching some of this dudes videos on YT about hard drive physical damage recovery.
May help
https://www.youtube.com/user/hddrecoveryservices/videos

He does have a company but maybe reach out to him if you can get ahold of him.

 
Posted : 23/05/2017 11:47 pm
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

From what minimal knowledge, research and what talking with smarter people have told me, a TVS Diode has been fried. I had one replaced by a friend who has done this before but the drive still doesn't power…

Not really-really.
The idea of a TVS diode is (in case of an overvoltage or overcurrent) to SHORT the power bus (either the 5V or the 12 V rail) to ground so, as a matter of fact you won't normally "replace" a shot TVS, you would simply "remove" it (temporarily the board will only be unprotected from similar power peaks, but it is not like they are common events) at least when troubleshooting (you don't even need a soldering iron with such SMD's usually a cutter is a good enough tool to remove the diode).
It is strange that your friend - presumably in the knows - has directly replaced it.

I happen to now have the same make/model drive in the office and tried a logic board swap, not expecting it to work due to the firmware being surely different. The drive powered, but of course wouldn't mount.

Provided that the "donor" drive's PCB is actually compatible, you need to swap the ROM from the old board to the new one, it isn't particularly difficult, if your friend managed to resolder a teeny-tiny SMD such as a TVS diode, most probably can manage the de-soldering and re-soldering of the ROM (actually a small flash chip).

If you (or your friend) are not familiar enough with the procedure, there are a few places that can provide (once you have sent them the fried board) a "refurbished" (surely compatible) board with your ROM soldered to it "properly" for anything between - I believe - 50 and 100 bucks.

BUT have you actually checked that the DVR PSU is OK?
On desktop PSU's (that have short protection) the triggered TVS would shut down the power but on more economical PSU's it is well possible that the actual PSU is fried (or just one rail, the one corresponding to the "shot/shorted" TVS, from what you report more probably the 12 V one)

jaclaz

 
Posted : 24/05/2017 12:15 am
(@streetforensics)
Posts: 55
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Deltron, excellent youtube link!! Thanks

Jaclaz, also thanks! Good tips there. I am considering removing the diode if I can confirm it is shorted, per the video from Deltrons link… I guess I can't make anything worse at this point… but I will also probably contact this data recovery company to see how much it may cost to have them do it.

Regarding the DVR PS, I think it's good… While honestly, I've not connected a known good drive to it - I guess I should before doing anything else. I still think it's good based on the drive not working with two other known good power supply's.

Thanks again to both of you for the tips

 
Posted : 24/05/2017 1:12 am
JaredDM
(@jareddm)
Posts: 118
Estimable Member
 

I fried the logic board of a HD for a DVR (pushed 15v into a 12v DVR…using the wrong power cord - I since have the correct one) DVR still functions but the HD doesn't power up. From what minimal knowledge, research and what talking with smarter people have told me, a TVS Diode has been fried. I had one replaced by a friend who has done this before but the drive still doesn't power…

Let me know the exact model HDD and I'll let you know what you need to match and/or transfer to make the replacement PCB compatible. Samsungs are the only modern hard drives you can still cold swap PCB's. With all others there is some adaptive information stored on the PCB which is drive specific. But, it's usually a simple matter of transferring a single chip if you've got the soldering equipment and skills. Or if you've got access to professional equipment like PC-3000 you can digitally adapt the board.

 
Posted : 24/05/2017 10:46 pm
(@streetforensics)
Posts: 55
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Again thanks to everyone for the help! I gave the company mentioned in the youtube videos a call (http//www.hddrecovery.ca/) and left a message. I got a call back within minutes the the guy from the videos spoke to me (Yeah, I spoke to a youtube star!).

Anyway, I could not afford the $600 he needed to fix the issue (small local agency) but I explained the problem and he gave me the confidence I needed to remove the diode and see if that allowed the drive to power up. At this point I had nothing to lose, so with the case agents permission I identified the shorted diode, removed it, and to my amazement the drive powered up and I got the video of the suspect.

So I want to ensure anyone reading this visits the youtube channel mentioned above and keep this company in mind for any repairs, since I think the guy is reasonable in prices and more than willing to provide some tips on getting some things done yourself. It's like a mechanic telling you to save your money on that valve replacement and telling you how you can do it yourself… with the same risks however! 😉

So again, thanks for all the help. Now if I can remember to use the right power supply next time!

 
Posted : 25/05/2017 12:10 am
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

… I explained the problem and he gave me the confidence I needed to remove the diode and see if that allowed the drive to power up. At this point I had nothing to lose, so with the case agents permission I identified the shorted diode, removed it, and to my amazement the drive powered up and I got the video of the suspect.

You mean you didn't trust my word for it? 😯

Just kidding, happy all went well. D

jaclaz

 
Posted : 25/05/2017 12:23 am
Share: