Replace an HD controller (The one on the drive)?

rattlehead

Junior Member
Jan 26, 2003
2
0
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Has anyone ever replaced an HD controller?

I am a fairly technical person and I am comfortable doing the work (I have the proper grounding straps and proper torx screwdriver).

However, I've never replaced a hard drive controller.

My HD is getting smart errors, and all 3 of my CD-RW backups have failed (1 scratched, 1 cracked, and 1 corrupted archive).

Maxtor is sending me a new drive via advanced RMA.

I know that replacing a hard drive controller is a delicate thing to do, I just want some guidance from anyone who's done it before.

I know that it has to come from a similar drive (same brand and model, and if possible same revision).

Can anyone help me?
 

compudog

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2001
5,782
0
71
A few years ago I did this on a Conner 1 gig drive. I had an exact drive to take the board from. It worked long enough for me to rescue the data, I was not able to write to the "repaired" drive. The drive was a slave and was not the boot drive. I don't recommend this as the drive electronics seem to be "tuned" for the drive they are mounted on. Just my experience, YMMV.
 

Gunbuster

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,852
23
81
a hard drive controller is a delicate thing to do


???? Its just a few torx screws maybe 2 zif mylar cable connectors and the connector to the spindle motor.

If it screws the replacement drive just blame it on the UPS/Fedex man
 

rattlehead

Junior Member
Jan 26, 2003
2
0
0
My understanding is that it's that simple. I just want to know what issues I should be aware of being starting this..er...project