Computer Gurus, I need HELP!
 

I won't waste your time with details, but here's my hard drive that doesn't work any more. It was recognized the first time I hooked it up to the SATA external adapter and last night I did it again and it started smoking. The transistor (Green Arrow) was smoking pretty good. Ok, so where would I get a new board for this hard drive? Any one have one laying around? I'll try the manufacture if I can't find one first. If I can get it back on line just to get my data off of it that's all I care about. Can I just change the transistor, but what is it so I make sure to get the right one? Any other ideas or thoughts?

Pics...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1247091857.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1247091878.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1247091891.jpg

See if you can buy a use drive off Ebay and swap the boards.

So simple, yet I didn't think of that. DUH! That's a great idea. I'll start looking around there and see if I can find one...

EDIT: Do you think any amount of GB would be the same circuit board or should it be the EXACT same drive? I would think any amount of memory wouldn't matter. Right?

You need the exact drive. What size? I may have one at home. On my iPhone, pix are small.

It's a Seagate Barracuda 7200.7
160GB
Model # ST3160828AS
PN: 9W2734-133
HDA PN: 100361729
Config: EXD-01
Firmware: 8.04

I think if all those match up it'd work. That would be great if you have one!

I'll be home in a couple of hours. Will let you know.

Hi Bill,

I don't have a match.

These guys have one for $75
http://www.pinnaclemicro.com/computer/dsku.php?g=ST3160828AS&m=Seagate+Technology

Do a search and you may find other places that have them. Good luck!

Just remove the four screws that hold the PCB on and the board should pull right off. There may be a little resistance from the sticky foam pad underneath.

Not home right now so cannot check but if you do not have anything done by late Friday, pls message me. I have a stack of HD's at home and might have a 160 gig baracuda there.

Darn! But thanks for looking! I appreciate the link too. I have a friend that's going to hook it up to a dummy computer and see if it recognizes it. If not, then I'm going to order this up and go from there. Everything I've found is more then $75. It's worth it because there are years of family photos on there. I know, I know, I should have been backing them up somewhere Yup, I already had it off that's how I knew the circuit board was replaceable...

Well I'm not in any hurry so if you can check when you have time I'd appreciate it. I'll PM you this too.

Bill,

You can also get an adapter that plugs into the HD and cables it right to a USB fitting and plug the HD into any computer. Costs around $20 or so at Fry's or Ebay.

Yes, been there done that. Now it just smokes. Well, there is a possibility (very slight) that I didn't plug the power cord in correctly. I'm saying that the board moved around that caused the short. Oh well, it is what it is. I'll be in touch in a couple of days....