IDE HD with 1 molex pen missing

[QueBert]

I have an older HD and it's missing one of the molex power pins, there's some data I'd like to pull off it. But nothing I'd pay big $$$ to have a data recovery center do. I'm guessing the answer is no, but has anyone here ever replaced a molex pin before? I think it must be stuck in my one of the molex connectors in my old PSU. Assuming I find it and extract it, what would be the best route to get it back on the old HD? Just long enough to pull the data off is all I care about.

 

[iamgenius]

I wonder if all molex pins are absolutely necessary. Which one is it? Is it the first or last? I think the two in the middle are for ground/common. So, if it is one of them, maybe if you connect them together, that will do. Anyhow, for any missing pin, I think you can track where it actually connects in the hard disk pcb and use your soldering skills to connect it.

Now, don't take my words for granted.

Good luck.

 

[QueBert]

hummm, I don't have the HD on me, but it's definitely one of the outside ones, and it just sort of broke off, the metal's still there, I'm kind of ghetto with some mods so I was thinking maybe I could just like solder it right back on since there's still metal there so I shouldn't have to trace any leads on the PCB. Just wondering if anyone here has tried that,

 

[Soundmanred]

I would solder the power connections directly to the PCB on the drive (carefully of course.)

 

[corkyg]

Building on what Soundmanred said, this picture should show where wires might be soldered along with the pinouts. This will also tell you what function the broken pin has. The two really critical ones are the outboard pins to the red and yellow wires.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Corky-G/molex.jpg

 

[bruceb]

Quebert, post a photo of what pin is missing. If it one of the 2 grounds pins (in the center of the connector) you need not worry. It will still work. And you can change a molex pin easily if you need to. They do make them with tails intended to go into a circuit board hole. You need a vacuum bulb or solder wick and the proper molex removal tool. I have all that, but it probably is too much trouble to get the unit over to me.

 

[Red Squirrel]

You could maybe try to use a paperclip that has been folded a few times. I would not use it as permanent setup but it should be good enough to get data off the drive. If you can find the pin then use that obviously.

 

[QueBert]

here's a pic

just a tiny bit of metal is actually exposed at the base of where the pin was, Redsquirrels idea about the paper clip might be the best solution. I don't have a solder gun but I'm sure I have a paper clio somewhere.

 

[Blunc]

IMHO, Soundmanred and corkyg have the best solution, solder a molex directly to the PCB.

soldering irons are cheap.

if you don't keep good enough contact with your paperclip you may end up scrambling your drive.

a molex extender/adapter can be had for less than $10 that you can get the required molex from and solder to the pcb and get the drive running.

 

[bruceb]

You are missing the RED wire which is the +5VDC power feed.