Recover data from "soldered" USB3 Drive

[Thedog]

This disk doesn't show up in ether Linux or PC, it shows up in device manager as "Uknown device" and I suppose that the logic card is somehow broken. However, it doesn't have any S-ATA interface or anything so how would one go on about recovering data from this disk?

 

[lcoughey]

If this is a client's hard drive with data of any value at all, I suggest you seek professional data recovery assistance. It is unlikely the PCB and you only risk destroying their drive by messing with it. Most of the time, resellers are paying less than $220USD after discount and exchange rate when they send us these drives.

If it is your drive and you don't care if you lose all the data, you can experiment.

 

[lcoughey]

Oh, I just took a closer look at the photo...bad move opening the drive. 90% of the time, if drive was opened, we usually end up charging extra fees to clean platters and then have to change heads and recover a smaller percentage of healthy files.

I sure hope that your client opened the drive or it is yours.

 

[Thedog]

Oh, I just took a closer look at the photo...bad move opening the drive. 90% of the time, if drive was opened, we usually end up charging extra fees to clean platters and then have to change heads and recover a smaller percentage of healthy files.

I sure hope that your client opened the drive or it is yours.

We have all the data so there is no issues and we can experiment with it. However, what do you mean it is opened up? The only thing I removed from it is a plastic sleeve that was attached around the disk.

 

[lcoughey]

I ca see the tape holding the peeled up label down. Someone lifted it to access the cover screw that goes into the head assembly.

Sent using Tapatalk on my BlackBerry PRIV

 

[Thedog]

Oh no, it was a cheap plastic case that was glued on to the disk so the label broke when it was removed

So there is no easy way to use this disk or do further troubleshooting?



Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk

 

[Diggs]

Oh no, it was a cheap plastic case that was glued on to the disk so the label broke when it was removed

So there is no easy way to use this disk or do further troubleshooting?

This is when you need to turn to a specialist if the owner requires the data on the disk. @lcoughey is one of those that are recommended.

 

[Markverhyden]

WD started doing that years ago for the portable drives. Instead of using a regular laptop drive and adding a USB2SATA bridge they replaced the entire PCB so It's only a USB interface.

 

[brandonkick]

OP claims to have all the data already, guessing a backup system was in place before this thing died?

At any rate, seems like now the OP is just curious in tinkering with this to see if they can get it working
again? It might be a fun little thing to mess around with, but I wouldn't really ever "use" this drive again.

 

[Larry Sabo]

So there is no easy way to use this disk or do further troubleshooting?

Try a known-good USB cable. If it works, you can re-use the drive. otherwise, smash it with a hammer (to protect confidentiality of the data) then trash/recycle it.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

Just do a google search for the model # st500lm014 and the first things that pop up are several videos on how to repair these.

Google is your friend

 

[lcoughey]

Just do a google search for the model # st500lm014 and the first things that pop up are several videos on how to repair these.

Google is your friend

Not really. Most of the time, those who follow the DIY advice found on google results in extensive, irreversible damage to the heads and platters. But, in this case, where they don't care about the data, they can try what they want without risk.