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Thread: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

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    Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Hi all,

    A friend has asked me to look at his 500gb IDE drive, which has developed a fault. It's an IDE Seagate drive, which was inside a Iomega external drive. Unfortunately, he's already opened the case as voided the warranty.

    From what I can tell, the power/ide header is the issue, as it emits an odd smell when up close to it, or when I tried it in my PC. So, my question is, if I could get another ide/psu header for the same Seagate drive type, can I replace them and rescue the drive?

    Cheers.

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Well you could try.

    Although i would wager there is something else wrong, not just the connector, especially as it is just a passive component. If something is aking a smell while powered, it likely that component is burning out.

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    If it's just the IDE controller board then you could try swapping the board over from an identical drive.

    No guarantees it'll work, though.

    And the more you mess with it the less chance there'll be of recovering data, so consider that.
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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Thanks guys. The smell appears to be coming from the header (which I've removed already) rather than the drive, which was why I assumed the header could be the issue.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve View Post
    If it's just the IDE controller board then you could try swapping the board over from an identical drive.
    So, any ideas where I can track one down from?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve View Post
    And the more you mess with it the less chance there'll be of recovering data, so consider that.
    That's not a big issue, as it;s all replaceable.

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Quote Originally Posted by Skinleech View Post
    So, any ideas where I can track one down from?
    .
    The only option is eBay really or if someone has the same working drive and is willing to risk you trying it.

    It has to be the exact same drive though, its not just about capacity, it needs to the be the same model number.

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    If I read this correctly it is an external (USB?) drive and it is the controller board that is duff. If that is so and if you think the the drive is OK, just by another external housing for it - probably easier and cheaper than faffing around getting another controller for the Iomega housing.

    If it is the connector on the drive itself, you might get one from somewhere like RS. If it is the controller card on the drive, then the only option is to get a card from another identical drive - although no gurantees that that will work or enable the data to be recovered. (Depends if the the manufactured and grown defective sector maps are held in ROM or on the disk.)
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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    All sounds like a bit too much hassle for my likings. The data is backed up in another location, so that's no big deal. Other than that, as the warranty was voided, it sounds like it's a bin job.

    Cheers.

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Error duplicate post
    Last edited by peterb; 22-10-2007 at 05:31 PM.
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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Quote Originally Posted by Skinleech View Post
    All sounds like a bit too much hassle for my likings. The data is backed up in another location, so that's no big deal. Other than that, as the warranty was voided, it sounds like it's a bin job.

    Cheers.
    If the drive is OK, you can get an external housing for it for about a tenner - worth it rather than just binning it.

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=584914

    It takes 10 minutes (or less) to fit the drive!
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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Quote Originally Posted by peterb View Post
    If the drive is OK, you can get an external housing for it for about a tenner - worth it rather than just binning it.

    Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

    It takes 10 minutes (or less) to fit the drive!
    Yes, but it's the IDE/Power header on the drive itself that appears to have gone. Without one of them, I can't attach the drive to anything.

    Cheers anyway.

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Check the serial number on the Seagate website, you might get a pleasant surprise and find it is covered by a seagate warranty.

    Failing that, it should be a fairly bog standard connector you need. Try Maplin/Farnell/RS

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Have already tried the Segate site, with no joy.

    Have never heard of Farnell or RS - assume they're English stores?

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Cheers

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Hi guys - but sorry - you won't get a standard header from RS or Farnell as it's not a standard header! if it's had a bad power connection causing burning at the connector the dodgy power may have done other damage.
    Swapping the PCB is NOT a goer either - they are set up to each drive in manufacture and go through MANY revisions. It very occasionally works for recovering data - but not a repair solution.

    500GB drives are about £50 - save yourself a couple of days playing about and get a new one! - there's a time for repairing stuff and dud disks just ain't it!

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    Re: Broken IDE HDD - can I replace the IDE/Power header to fix?

    Quote Originally Posted by Skinleech View Post
    Thanks guys. The smell appears to be coming from the header (which I've removed already) rather than the drive, which was why I assumed the header could be the issue.
    .
    If you have un-soldered the header, just get a IDE cable, splice it open, and solder the ends to the correct pins.
    Thats the only way I would consider doing it based on what you've described. Although I would use a separate PSU if I was to power it up
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