ATOT electronics gurus, need an ID on a component

[Kaervak]

Managedto get some numbers from the component.

ST (Logo)
White spot immediately followed by the number 5
A407

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Kaervak/img_1784.jpg

It's the component with the white spot in the middle, it's magic blue smoke was released. Anyone have an idea what it is and if it's easy to find? A ghetto repair job is fine as long as it lasts long enough to get the data off the drive. I don't think it's a capacitor or any type of controller. Possibly a current/voltage regulator.

 

[iamaelephant]

<obligatory> That's the flux capacitor. </obligatory>

 

[slackwarelinux]

It is a little tricky to read the model number with that white spot in the way.

It looks like a SMD IC in a SOT223 package. If you got out some calipers and measured the dimensions and pin spacing, it would be possible determine the package. Without the model number it will be tricky to figure out what it is. If you've got loads of time, try to figure out what each of the pins might be by following the traces, then reference the pin assignments against all SOT223 integrated circuits made by the manufacturer indicated by the logo that match the non-burnt snippet of the model name.

Obviously, if you have access to another hard drive of the same model are are willing to take it apart, it might be possible to get a model number and order a replacement part. Along with all the visible damage, there might be some other less apparent damage too. Even replacing that IC (which would be a fun soldering job ) won't mean it will start working

If it really is a voltage or current regulator, and you find out what the model is then it might be possible to duplicate what that IC would have done on an external circuit.

What were you doing to the hard drive?

 

[josh0099]

Voltage/Current regulator is a good guess or it can be some type of IC as well....might help if you post what kind of drive it is etc... so if someone has a similar one they could look at a non-burnt chip

 

[Kaervak]

Originally posted by: slackwarelinux
It is a little tricky to read the model number with that white spot in the way.

It looks like a SMD IC in a SOT223 package. Without the model number it will be tricky to figure out what it is. If you've got loads of time, try to figure out what each of the pins might be by following the traces, then reference the pin assignments against all SOT223 integrated circuits made by the manufacturer indicated by the logo that match the non-burnt snippet of the model name.

Obviously, if you have access to another hard drive of the same model are are willing to take it apart, it might be possible to get a model number and order a replacement part. Along with all the visible damage, there might be some other less apparent damage too.
What were you doing to the hard drive?

I'm definitely willing to do a PCB swap, provided I can find a matching PCB. This isn't a drive of mine, belongs to a friend. She had it in an external enclosure and one day it stopped working. My best guess is a power surge got it.

Originally posted by: josh0099
Voltage/Current regulator is a good guess or it can be some type of IC as well....might help if you post what kind of drive it is etc... so if someone has a similar one they could look at a non-burnt chip

I knew I forgot something. Drive info:

Maxtor DiamondMax 16 40GB
Code: RAMC1TU0
SN: R29H7DXE
4R040L0E21011

The numbers from the PCB:
T4FRA
22064LGJHT
ER

If anyone has a matching PCB they could part with I'd appreciate it.

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: slackwarelinux
It is a little tricky to read the model number with that white spot in the way.

It looks like a SMD IC in a SOT223 package. Without the model number it will be tricky to figure out what it is. If you've got loads of time, try to figure out what each of the pins might be by following the traces, then reference the pin assignments against all SOT223 integrated circuits made by the manufacturer indicated by the logo that match the non-burnt snippet of the model name.

Obviously, if you have access to another hard drive of the same model are are willing to take it apart, it might be possible to get a model number and order a replacement part. Along with all the visible damage, there might be some other less apparent damage too.
What were you doing to the hard drive?

Yep its a SOT-223 SMD IC manufactured by ST Microelectronics. And it does seem like a voltage regulator ( has decoupling capacitors attached to it's pins, possibly at the Input/Output. ) See if you can use a multimeter to trace where the pins go. If it's a regulator one pin will go to the +12 or +5V rail, and another to the +Vdd/Vcc pin of a logic IC, and another to ground.

To replace it you would also need the rated voltage output - could be found from the datasheet of any other IC you found it's output attached to.

 

[frostedflakes]

I have a Diamond Max 9 lying around, and it looks like component Q501 on the PCB is ST N715 L223. Maybe this helps, maybe not.

 

[Kaervak]

Thanks for the help guys. At least I now have a chance of recovering the drive, might take a bit of effort to find the component but I now know what to look for.

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
I have a Diamond Max 9 lying around, and it looks like component Q501 on the PCB is ST N715 L223. Maybe this helps, maybe not.

That helps a lot -

STMicroelectronics STN715 NPN Medium Power Transistor SOT-223 Package

maybe thats it?

 

[frostedflakes]

Yup looks like a NPN "medium power transistor", whatever the hell that is, lol.

http://www.st.com/stonline/sta...PartNumber&search=n715

 

[slackwarelinux]

If you want to try one, they are 72 cents each on Digikey.

 

[Kaervak]

Oh rock on. Thanks a lot guys I really appreciate it.

 

[Analog]

Replacing that transistor won't guarantee that everything is hunky dory. There is a reason that transistor fried, and that reason may still be there. I would check the load side of that transistor for a short to ground. If you go through all the trouble of replacing it, and the new one blows, then what? Generally, transistors like that don't just blow for no reason.

 

[TheGizmo]

Originally posted by: Analog
Replacing that transistor won't guarantee that everything is hunky dory. There is a reason that transistor fried, and that reason may still be there. I would check the load side of that transistor for a short to ground. If you go through all the trouble of replacing it, and the new one blows, then what? Generally, transistors like that don't just blow for no reason.

this is true, you may just want to swap out the entire controller.. it'd be easier than finding the underlying problem

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Analog
Replacing that transistor won't guarantee that everything is hunky dory. There is a reason that transistor fried, and that reason may still be there. I would check the load side of that transistor for a short to ground. If you go through all the trouble of replacing it, and the new one blows, then what? Generally, transistors like that don't just blow for no reason.

In pro audio we classify the transistor as the fastest fuse known to man. (and woman!)

 

[alkemyst]

I would go for moving the platters to another like drive if the data is really needed.

I would not trust this drive then for the long haul (unless you have access to a clean room).

Move the data to an image and then reimage a new drive.

 

[esun]

Not surprising it was a BJT, considering the label Q501. BJTs are typically labeled Q (much as resistors are labeled R, capacitors C, and MOSFETs M).

 

[Kaervak]

After I get the drive up and running, I'm just going to pull the data off the drive. After that it's going to the recyclers, it can't be trusted for data anymore. So quick and dirty is fine with me. Now, is there anyone else that has one of these drive that can ID that part?

 

[Kaervak]

Bumpeth.