Help! WD MyPassport portable hd usb3.0 controller spoilt

WD External Drives WD Portable Drives
1

Hi

I have a WD MyPassport portable hd usb3.0 that was plug into a faulty hard disk causing the controller to go went harewire.

I open the hd realizing that its not your norm SATA port but a direct usb 3.0 controller fused with the hd.

Anyone know how I can change the controller on the harddisk?

thanks in advance

2

Well to my knowledge, western digital does not replace that type of parts. you might need to contact a data recovery service to see if they know were you can get that.

3

I don’t understand what you mean when you say that you plugged your MyPassport into a “faulty hard disk”.

That said, a straight PCB swap will not work. Most modern HDDs store unique, drive specific “adaptive” information in a serial EEPROM chip. This chip, or its contents, needs to be transferred from patient to donor. In WD drives, this chip is usually located at U12. If you upload a photo of your PCB, I should be able to help you identify the EEPROM.

The following PCB suppliers offer a firmware transfer service, either for free, or for US$10:

http://www.donordrives.com
http://www.onepcbsolution.com
http://www.hdd-parts.com

I would advise that you avoid those suppliers who don’t tell you that a board won’t work without modification. Often they will attempt to obscure the requirement for a firmware transfer by deceptively describing their products as being “for data recovery only”.

Alternatively, if you are not adept at soldering, your local TV/AV repair shop should be able to transfer the chip for you.

Some PCBs do not have a discrete serial flash memory chip. Instead they store the adaptive data inside the Marvell MCU (the largest chip). In this case you will need a “PCB adaptation” service.

The following PCB supplier includes such a service for free:
http://www.donordrives.com/services