I’m trying to use DDRescue to recover a dying WD Elements 1 TB External HDD. The problem is these drives have a USB interface built on the controller board… There is no SATA interface. DDRescue can’t perform the same recovery steps with the USB interface that it can with the SATA interface. It is possible to replace the USB controller board with a SATA controller board on these drives?
Hello,
At least through WD standards procedures this is not possible.
Let’s see if any of the users can share some information about it.
It looks like you can solder a SATA connector to pins E75, E73, E72, and E71. This makes data recovery go much better. Another possible option appears to be to swap the 2060-771961 board with a 2060-771959.
Dear WD, could you make a SATA bypass available for data recovery on these drives? Install a jumper to disable the onboard USB controller, and then easier-to-access points for SATA connection? Please? This must be a common issue with these drives. There’s a lot you can’t do with a USB connection. Thank you for considering this request.