WD800JD HDD no response when powered.

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Business customer comes in, drops off dell desktop.

No boot device error.

take the HDD out, plug it into my dock.

no spinning, clicking, beeps, sounds... "no nothing." ~ as they say.

I have a working WD800, can I take the PCB off that and place it onto the customers HDD?

I honestly don't know if it will work or not, just want to know if it is safe, or I HAVE to send it off to $300 rescue.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

It's for a business customer, just send it out. Do they have backups?

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

It's for a business customer, just send it out. Do they have backups?

They do NOT have backups. It's a small in-home business, (but still legally a business).

I didn't want to send it off and it be gone for a week+ if I have a board that I can just replace and get them back going ASAP.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

To me it wouldn't be worth the risk or causing further damage with no backups in place.

 

[Rocco]

Be honest and open. We have 2 options. We try this risky operation on the hard drive. It may damage it beyond recovery. Or 2, we send it off to an expert.

Edit: be very honest about the risks. In fact, I would exaggerate the risk.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Looking at this (among other sites): http://www.hddzone.com/western_digital_pcb_swap_replacement_guide.html

Just sent out an email looking for a matching PCB. If I find one, I'll get customer permission, swap the BIOS chip, and pray.

IF I FAIL, I'll send it off to a "Real Professional"

 

[nlinecomputers]

Can you afford to be sued by this client if you F that swap up?

It is not your fault that the end user doesn't have backups. It is not your fault that a proper fix will cost $300+ or take a week. Don't assume their risky behavior just because you feel sorry for their predicament. They were the fool. No need for you to be one too.

 

[Porthos]

Can you afford to be sued by this client if you F that swap up?

It is not your fault that the end user doesn't have backups. It is not your fault that a proper fix will cost $300+ or take a week. Don't assume their risky behavior just because you feel sorry for their predicament. They were the fool. No need for you to be one too.

Truth!!!

 

[Rocco]

Looking at this (among other sites): http://www.hddzone.com/western_digital_pcb_swap_replacement_guide.html

Just sent out an email looking for a matching PCB. If I find one, I'll get customer permission, swap the BIOS chip, and pray.

IF I FAIL, I'll send it off to a "Real Professional"

For what it's worth, I think you are making a mistake. Its yours to make though. I would consult an attorney to create a truly binding no-fault contract that might stand up in court if you are really going to do this.

That said, if you mess something up, you also have the risk of this going from a $250 - $300 recovery to over $1,000. Why would you possibly risk that? Our egos sometimes do get the best of us. Sometimes, we think we know what We are doing, and make it worse. Sometimes our hearts get in the way. We want to do the right thing, but instead make it worse.

Again, it's your mistake to make, But think it through clearly before you make it.

Edit: forget legally for a minute. Can your business survive the bad press this guy could bring you? Bad Word of mouth is worse than the best web presence and social media presence.

 

[Markverhyden]

Looking at this (among other sites): http://www.hddzone.com/western_digital_pcb_swap_replacement_guide.html

Just sent out an email looking for a matching PCB. If I find one, I'll get customer permission, swap the BIOS chip, and pray.

IF I FAIL, I'll send it off to a "Real Professional"

I've done the swap board thing several times. Of course with customers that were on a fishing expedition, would not spend more than $100 dollars. Worked once. This is a major mistake if they are willing to spend 300 or so. Once you fire up the drive with the new board, assuming it does, the drive heads will behave based upon the settings of the "new" board, if they work at all. Just like NVRAM, once overwritten nothing is recoverable. That cannot be reversed or undone.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I've done the swap board thing several times.

Worked once.

Which is why I don't even mention it.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

SOLVED

After she continuously called me 4 times over 3 hours, "just to see if I fixed it" <- even though I told her what was wrong and I had put out a request for a new PCB and might not hear back until tomorrow.

I told her I was unable to find one, and told her to call over to https://www.300dollardatarecovery.com/

headache solved.

 

[Porthos]

After she continuously called me 4 times over 3 hours, "just to see if I fixed it"

That one deserves the idiot fee and to be put on the "do I really need this client list".
Also don't be a middle man for a commission with this type of client let 300DDR deal with her keep out of it. Not worth the headache.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

That one deserves the idiot fee and to be put on the "do I really need this client list".
Also don't be a middle man for a commission with this type of client let 300DDR deal with her keep out of it. Not worth the headache.

Definitely tiptoeing around their block from now on. Also, I told her it is an entirely different company, so I can't help with anything they need/or can offer.

I may have lost a customer, but at least she'll be happy.

 

[Porthos]

I may have lost a customer

Yes but might not. I joking tell all my clients... Don't call us we will call(text) you when it is finished or if we need more info/authorization.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

While packing heat? You might be overreacting.

Don't want to be spotted, not exactly a customer I want to work with. I am not life-threatened scared. I just don't particularly enjoy headaches.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

It was the "defiantly" part I was concerned about...

One day.... One day I'll learn to spell d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y... ... ...

 

[Markverhyden]

SOLVED

After she continuously called me 4 times over 3 hours, "just to see if I fixed it" <- even though I told her what was wrong and I had put out a request for a new PCB and might not hear back until tomorrow.

I told her I was unable to find one, and told her to call over to https://www.300dollardatarecovery.com/

headache solved.

Good move. Let that customer's whine fill someone else's goblet.

 

[HCHTech]

Good move. Let that customer's whine fill someone else's goblet.

hahahahahahaha! I am so stealing that!

 

[Krynn72]

Up next:

300DDR posts a thread "Insane customer calls six times for updates on a drive still shipping to me"