Hot Swap PCB Techniques for Data Recovery using MHDD and victoria

Hot Swap PCB Techniques for Data Recovery using MHDD and victoria

Well we're starting with the first technique. Let say we want to recover data from hard drive Maxtor 20 GB (type-111 111-WAH21PB0 2B020H1-KMBA-A5FBA) that the BIOS detected the error as ATHENA.

To save the data we can only use PC3000. But what if we do not have a PC3000? Salvation firmware repairer we may be able to fix this HDD. But there is a risk after the repair, corrupted data!

If we have the HDD as above lot and can be used as a donor, How do I?

We must ensure the HDD :

1. Alphabet identical value in the third letter: KM (B) A (the point!)
2. The exact same model and firmware: (2B0) 20H1-(WAH21PB0)
3. PCB code is the same: (A5FBA)
4. Most important: normal firmware

Now we have the configuration as above. This donor HDD is bad sectors slightly but healthy firmware (the models and capacities as well as other normal detected in BIOS). This is not a problem because we just want to save data and not fix the hard disk.

Now what should we do? PCB Engineering from donors attach directly to the damaged HDD not produce anything. Fixed damaged HDD detected as ATHENA. It's not the way!!

Desperate? We remove PCBs from the damaged HDD. And let the HDD without PCB.
Now we put this donor HDD as primary master to the PC and boot MHDD. On the selection screen we chose this HDD as a target.

when MHDD> appear, we test by running the Shift + F2

It comes right model and proper LBA capacity. It means the HDD firmware is healthy. we run the scanning procedure (press F4 2x)

Once confident with its scanning results, we press Alt + S (stop ).... MHDD immediately stop the motor rotation (but still have an electric current! - Be careful)

Now (after the rotor stopped) Carefully open the Torx screws (TX) binding HDD PCB this donor.

Note:
Do not remove both the data cable (IDE) and power at the time of this operation. But be careful. Remember the PCB is still in a state of electricity. Let the PCB stay connected to your PC is idle.

OK. Now we reach the following conditions:

1. PCB only from a healthy donor HDD firmware was installed on the IDE cable and power of our motherboard.
2. Damaged HDD firmware (the victim) which does not have the PCB (we have previously off)

Well now we must be careful to install the PCB that "LiveWIRE" is the HDD which you want to save the data.

THIS IS CALLED THE "HOTSWAP TECHNIQUE" (such as the BIOS flash procedure)

Slowly we have to enter all data pins on the PCB track and put Torx screws to the entire surface of the PCB. Be careful you are dealing with PCBs are still electrified. Wrong procedure, drop it all (at least repeat over from scratch).

After everything is OK, press Shift + F2. To recalibrate the HDD. And voila! Your HDD semm normal as no firmware is damaged. Model and firmware will appear in MHDD. Perform scanning (F4 2x ).... If it is OK, shutdown your PC. HDD can be operated normally. Immediately backup your data ....

HDD hotswap results can be recovered either have direct access (installed in the usb box via Windows), or recover using WinHex and other recovery software.