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View Full Version : Where to find HDD PCB's?

shwaip
15 Jan 2007, 7:51am
I'm looking for a PCB for a diamondmax 9 160 GB drive. There's actually no (useful) data on the drive, I'm just looking to add more storage cheap, and I have this drive that's fine physically, but there's something wrong with the pcb.

I've tried ebay, but it's really no cheaper than buying a new hdd.
profdlp
15 Jan 2007, 4:07pm
The only thing I can think of right off would be to try and buy an identical defective drive cheap.
Kwitko
15 Jan 2007, 4:31pm
Swapping PCBs is never recommended. Even for the same exact model of drive, there are subtleties in the drives that marry that particular PCB to that drive.

I was looking for a replacement PCB myself and nobody sells them.
profdlp
15 Jan 2007, 5:23pm
Swapping PCBs is never recommended. Even for the same exact model of drive, there are subtleties in the drives that marry that particular PCB to that drive.

I was looking for a replacement PCB myself and nobody sells them.
I have done it many times with great success. It helps to match the revision number of the PCB to the old one, but even that is not always necessary.

What's the risk if he can buy a drive with bad sectors for $5 and use it to get a 160GB drive back? (I'd guess that it's about five bucks.) ;)
shwaip
15 Jan 2007, 8:36pm
Swapping PCBs is never recommended. Even for the same exact model of drive, there are subtleties in the drives that marry that particular PCB to that drive.

I was looking for a replacement PCB myself and nobody sells them.

The only risk I have with swapping pcbs is that it doesn't work, and I've wasted how ever much money I spent on it.
Kwitko
15 Jan 2007, 9:09pm
You'll notice that many PCBs are soldered to the drive and can't be removed.
shwaip
15 Jan 2007, 9:20pm
I'm holding them in separate hands right now (and typing with my other 2 hands). Take off 5 torx screws, and it's obvious that they are designed to be replaceable/interchangeable (between exactly the same drives). I'm not saying that every maxtor diamondmax 9 160 gb hd pcb will work, but that there are replacements that will work.
Kwitko
15 Jan 2007, 9:27pm
You hate me, don't you?
shwaip
15 Jan 2007, 9:31pm
Dear Mr. Kwitko:

I hate you with the burning passion of a thousand fiery demons. Please FOAD.

Love,
shwaip

ps:
<3
profdlp
15 Jan 2007, 10:30pm
You hate me, don't you?
I wouldn't use the word "hate". :(

"Loathe" is more like it. ;D

(I keed.) :wave: