IC35L040AVVN07-0: ROM & NV-RAM fault? Unusual case

[avalanche]

An unusual case. Already submitted a ticket to Ace TS, but we are all drawing blanks. If there are any suggestions from others, then they are welcome.

Patient HDD: IC35L040AVVN07-0
Patient PCB Sticker: 07N8979 H69144A
When powered on HDD enters BSY. No spin up. No short on 12V or 5V.
The customer reported the HDD failed after a power outage.

I found a matching donor:
Donor HDD: IC35L040AVVN07-0
Donor PCB Sticker: 07N8979 H69144A


1) The patient NV-RAM was transferred to the Donor PCB. Patient HDD was then powered on with Donor PCB + Patient NV-RAM. HDD does not spin up. HDD reports RDY. It is possible to read the (patient) NV-RAM in PC3000. The contents looks normal.
2) Using the donor PCB with donor ROM and donor NV-RAM, mounted on the patient HDD, then the HDD does spin up enters RDY. But then the normal error is reported when drive ID or other command is sent to the HDD.
3) Finally, I transferred the patient ROM and the patient NV-RAM to the donor PCB. When this happens the original fault (no spin up and BSY) is replicated.
4) I then repeated the process with a second donor PCB just in case the first donor PCB was faulty. The results were replicated.
5) Inspection inside the HDD has taken place. No signs of contamination of damage to the platter.

I have spoken to someone else at another long time data recovery company today. Curiously he has been working an identical case, but a "PLAT" series IBM/Hitachi, which again came in after the customer reported a power outage.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
J.

[avalanche]

For reference, I've put this post up on HDD Guru, where there is a bit more activity.

Thanks,
J

[AJ2008]

Detatch spindle motor and power, wait for ready and adjust head map in NVRAM to check no heads sustained damage.
with non-native NVRAM with patient SA-TOP parameters can you read modules table?

Just realised how old this post is

[avalanche]

Hello,

The fault was resolved and a recovery made. See: https://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40692

The patient ROM was faulty. With no method to write a ROM in PC3000, or with external reader, it was necessary to adapt NV-RAM to be compatible with donor ROM, and the make alterations to SA as well as a final step to get the HDD reading. Heads were fine.

Regards,
John

[AJ2008]

Great news, I am glad you solved this case, looks like a very interesting one also