D*mn and @*^$£ it! - help please.

Charlie · 22 January 2008, 19:25

Something of a generic question in the end:

Fired-up 'pute, booting...
-Nasty burning smell, 'pute dies.

Turn off, open up...
What burned, what burned..?
-much swapping of components later:
-I KNOW something popped, I can smell it.

Need to get 'pute working, important data...
-Swap HDD into other computer so I can at least get at my data:
-Ah! BIG smelly hole in one of the chips of the HDD logic board.

(wouldn't be surprised if mobo dead too - not checked yet)

The good:
Hard to replace retro components seem not the be fried (at this stage).

The bad:
HDD full of nearly irreplaceable data / drivers is dead!

Before anyone says it:
Yes, I take back-ups. But it's very hard to back up a HDD while you are actively installing drivers, updated FS, etc...
...For 'convenience' the important files were on said drive ready for the installation.

So...
A quick rummage round the other 'putes in the house looking for a similar HDD to temp rob its logic board and so save my data:
No luck - d*mn!

The question?
(at long last)
The fried HDD is a:
Seagate U Series 5 - 20gb (3.5"IDE)
Model:
ST320413A

Anyone know where I might buy, beg, borrow, steal a HDD with a compatible logic board..?
It's an old drive so I'm not expecting to find a new one.

Thanks.

P.S.
I think it's safe to say any data-rescue company will say: 'What computer? What's that? Is the drive formatted with NTFS??"

Zetr0 · 22 January 2008, 19:29

I will have a look in storage for you my friend... (will be in it tomorrow)

that ST320413A sounds damn familiar.....

Charlie · 22 January 2008, 19:30

Charlie · 22 January 2008, 20:19

Hardware p0rn..?

Hard-drive p0rn.

musashi5150 · 22 January 2008, 20:32

Sorry Charlie, I can't really help you with this - but fingers crossed fella

Merlin · 22 January 2008, 22:13

I don't know if this helps, but I have a U Series 5, 10Gb drive here, model number ST310211A.

Does your hard drive have rounded ends with a rubber, jacket-like cover? Does the controller board only go full length down the side with the IDE connector, with the other side of the board sort of wavy towards the power connector?

If the answer is yes, you may be in luck..........

Merlin

Charlie · 22 January 2008, 22:35

Thanks peeps

Yes, Merlin, exactly like your description. Post #4 should have a photo but looks like imageshack is a bit ropey today.

Merlin · 22 January 2008, 22:38

@ Charlie

PM me some address deets and I will send it to you, I hope that it helps you recover the data you need.

Do you want the full drive or just the controller card?

Merlin

DoogUK · 22 January 2008, 22:39

i've also a u series 5 spare here, a 13 gig one that has disk surface errors...you are welcome to that.

Merlin · 22 January 2008, 22:40

@ Doog

It may be easier to take the controller card off your drive and send it to him, at least in postage anyway....

Merlin

Merlin · 22 January 2008, 22:54

@ All

There's a lot to be said about hardware graveyards that come in useful at times like these, eh?

Merlin

DoogUK · 22 January 2008, 22:58

@Merlin...agreed....my hard disk logic board has a plate covering it with all the drive info on, is yours the same?

Zetr0 · 22 January 2008, 22:58

And my wife keeps saying its no good throw it away.... HA!!! take that!!!!

DrF · 22 January 2008, 23:09

I have the following :

U4 model number = ST38421A (8.4Gb)
U8 model number = ST38410A (8.4Gb)
U5 model number = ST310211A (10Gb)

I got some more U series somewhere.... all the boards on them look the same to me, all the same shape at least.

Charlie · 23 January 2008, 00:07

Hi everyone.

I just wanted to say:
So many offers of help & so soon!
Many thanks!

Just in case any have been wondering what caused the sudden & unexpected fiery death of my HDD - me too! If it happened once, it can happen again.
(still haven't dared check on the health of my other components)

Here's the spawn of Satan!

Evil-looking little b*stard , isn't it?
I give you: The Common Woodlouse.

After taking photos of the logic board (which imageshack seems reluctant to share) I noted an odd-looking bit of fluff in the back of the IDE connector.
Closer examination revealed a fried woodlouse!!!

What's the chances of one of these things walking in to a computer and then settling on just the correct pins to short out a HDD..?
They aren't gooey - it's got an exoskeleton for God's sake! I can only assume the little SOB chose a very bad time to take a leak -or whatever they do...

...I knew you shouldn't trust anything that wears its 'bones' on the outside.

ppill · 23 January 2008, 00:14

This is like the best post in months

Man, you need to buy a lottery ticket. You might be on a roll

Too bad about the drive

seuden · 23 January 2008, 09:15

ST320413A does sound extremely familiar I'll check when I get home, I do have a couple of 20GB HDD's, fingers crossed.

Alternatively there is fleaBay.

EDIT: If ya still need one?

chiark · 23 January 2008, 09:33

I knew the little sods were up to something. Quietly waiting to seize their moment for world domination by destroying our infrastructure, one hard drive at a time.

Right now, teams of young and impressionable woodlice are being brainwashed at little training camps. The brainwashing is so complete that they'll lay down their lives for the cause...

This cannot continue. This axis of evil must be addressed!

(I wonder if I'll find a woodlouse in my dead A4000... if there is, I feel a strong letter to the daily mail will be composed)

Glad you got it sorted - any news on replacing the logic board?

Merlin · 23 January 2008, 10:19

@ Chiark

I have a board as does Doog, although they are not for the exact model. Zetr0 need to organise an expedition to his store (no joking) to see if he has the exact model, if now Doog or I will donate our drive to the cause.

@ Charlie

Assuming this data recovery is successful, I would suggest you upload your valuable drivers to the Zone or another site where they can be kept secure.

Merlin

Merlin · 23 January 2008, 10:32

By the way, why didn't anyone think of giving Sarah Connor some woodlice, to defeat the Terminator?

Mind you, it would have been a very short film.....

M

22 January 2008, 19:25	#1
Charlie . . Mouse . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 55 Posts: 1,792	*Dmn and @^$£ it! - help please.* Something of a generic question in the end: Fired-up 'pute, booting... -Nasty burning smell, 'pute dies. Turn off, open up... What burned, what burned..? -much swapping of components later: -I KNOW something popped, I can smell it. Need to get 'pute working, important data... -Swap HDD into other computer so I can at least get at my data: -Ah! BIG smelly hole in one of the chips of the HDD logic board. (wouldn't be surprised if mobo dead too - not checked yet) The good: Hard to replace retro components seem not the be fried (at this stage). The bad: HDD full of nearly irreplaceable data / drivers is dead! Before anyone says it: Yes, I take back-ups. But it's very hard to back up a HDD while you are actively installing drivers, updated FS, etc... ...For 'convenience' the important files were on said drive ready for the installation. So... A quick rummage round the other 'putes in the house looking for a similar HDD to temp rob its logic board and so save my data: No luck - dmn! The question? (at long last) The fried HDD is a: Seagate U Series 5 - 20gb (3.5"IDE)* Model: ST320413A Anyone know where I might buy, beg, borrow, steal a HDD with a compatible logic board..? It's an old drive so I'm not expecting to find a new one. Thanks. P.S. I think it's safe to say any data-rescue company will say: 'What computer? What's that? Is the drive formatted with NTFS??" Last edited by Charlie; 22 January 2008 at 19:43.

22 January 2008, 22:13	#6
Merlin AmiBay MegaMod Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Age: 62 Posts: 1,163	I don't know if this helps, but I have a U Series 5, 10Gb drive here, model number ST310211A. Does your hard drive have rounded ends with a rubber, jacket-like cover? Does the controller board only go full length down the side with the IDE connector, with the other side of the board sort of wavy towards the power connector? If the answer is yes, you may be in luck.......... Merlin Last edited by Merlin; 23 January 2008 at 09:22.

22 January 2008, 22:40	#10
Merlin AmiBay MegaMod Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Age: 62 Posts: 1,163	@ Doog It may be easier to take the controller card off your drive and send it to him, at least in postage anyway.... Merlin Last edited by Merlin; 22 January 2008 at 22:51. Reason: Was addressing the wrong person

22 January 2008, 22:54	#11
Merlin AmiBay MegaMod Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Age: 62 Posts: 1,163	@ All There's a lot to be said about hardware graveyards that come in useful at times like these, eh? Merlin Last edited by Merlin; 23 January 2008 at 09:20.

23 January 2008, 09:15	#17
seuden uber cool demi god Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent/England Posts: 2,073	ST320413A does sound extremely familiar I'll check when I get home, I do have a couple of 20GB HDD's, fingers crossed. Alternatively there is fleaBay. EDIT: If ya still need one? Last edited by seuden; 23 January 2008 at 09:28.

22 January 2008, 19:29	#2
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	I will have a look in storage for you my friend... (will be in it tomorrow) that ST320413A sounds damn familiar.....

22 January 2008, 19:30	#3
Charlie . . Mouse . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 55 Posts: 1,792

22 January 2008, 20:19	#4
Charlie . . Mouse . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 55 Posts: 1,792	Hardware p0rn..? Hard-drive p0rn.

22 January 2008, 20:32	#5
musashi5150 move.w #$4489,$dff07e Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Norfolk, UK Age: 42 Posts: 2,351	Sorry Charlie, I can't really help you with this - but fingers crossed fella

22 January 2008, 22:35	#7
Charlie . . Mouse . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 55 Posts: 1,792	Thanks peeps Yes, Merlin, exactly like your description. Post #4 should have a photo but looks like imageshack is a bit ropey today.

22 January 2008, 22:38	#8
Merlin AmiBay MegaMod Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Age: 62 Posts: 1,163	@ Charlie PM me some address deets and I will send it to you, I hope that it helps you recover the data you need. Do you want the full drive or just the controller card? Merlin

22 January 2008, 22:39	#9
DoogUK Doogster Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dorset Posts: 1,069	i've also a u series 5 spare here, a 13 gig one that has disk surface errors...you are welcome to that.

22 January 2008, 22:58	#12
DoogUK Doogster Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dorset Posts: 1,069	@Merlin...agreed....my hard disk logic board has a plate covering it with all the drive info on, is yours the same?

22 January 2008, 23:09	#14
DrF Blessed A1200 Of TeH Rat Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bham, UK Age: 42 Posts: 496	I have the following : U4 model number = ST38421A (8.4Gb) U8 model number = ST38410A (8.4Gb) U5 model number = ST310211A (10Gb) I got some more U series somewhere.... all the boards on them look the same to me, all the same shape at least.

23 January 2008, 00:07	#15
Charlie . . Mouse . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 55 Posts: 1,792	Hi everyone. I just wanted to say: So many offers of help & so soon! Many thanks! Just in case any have been wondering what caused the sudden & unexpected fiery death of my HDD - me too! If it happened once, it can happen again. (still haven't dared check on the health of my other components) Here's the spawn of Satan! Evil-looking little b*stard , isn't it? I give you: The Common Woodlouse. After taking photos of the logic board (which imageshack seems reluctant to share) I noted an odd-looking bit of fluff in the back of the IDE connector. Closer examination revealed a fried woodlouse!!! What's the chances of one of these things walking in to a computer and then settling on just the correct pins to short out a HDD..? They aren't gooey - it's got an exoskeleton for God's sake! I can only assume the little SOB chose a very bad time to take a leak -or whatever they do... ...I knew you shouldn't trust anything that wears its 'bones' on the outside.

23 January 2008, 00:14	#16
ppill CON: artist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Poland Age: 43 Posts: 1,250	This is like the best post in months Man, you need to buy a lottery ticket. You might be on a roll Too bad about the drive

23 January 2008, 09:33	#18
chiark Needs a life Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England Posts: 1,707	I knew the little sods were up to something. Quietly waiting to seize their moment for world domination by destroying our infrastructure, one hard drive at a time. Right now, teams of young and impressionable woodlice are being brainwashed at little training camps. The brainwashing is so complete that they'll lay down their lives for the cause... This cannot continue. This axis of evil must be addressed! (I wonder if I'll find a woodlouse in my dead A4000... if there is, I feel a strong letter to the daily mail will be composed) Glad you got it sorted - any news on replacing the logic board?

23 January 2008, 10:19	#19
Merlin AmiBay MegaMod Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Age: 62 Posts: 1,163	@ Chiark I have a board as does Doog, although they are not for the exact model. Zetr0 need to organise an expedition to his store (no joking) to see if he has the exact model, if now Doog or I will donate our drive to the cause. @ Charlie Assuming this data recovery is successful, I would suggest you upload your valuable drivers to the Zone or another site where they can be kept secure. Merlin

23 January 2008, 10:32	#20
Merlin AmiBay MegaMod Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Age: 62 Posts: 1,163	By the way, why didn't anyone think of giving Sarah Connor some woodlice, to defeat the Terminator? Mind you, it would have been a very short film..... M

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