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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin-down
thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? Thanks. Jaz (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
#2
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
"Jaz" wrote in message
A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin- down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". Apt name. Describes the process of recovery very neatly. What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? Thanks. Jaz (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
#3
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
"Folkert Rienstra" wrote:
"Jaz" wrote in message A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin- down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". Oops, I meant "ATHENA II/POKER" Apt name. Describes the process of recovery very neatly. Should have been named "ATHENA II/CRAPSHOOT" Well, on ebay I found a "ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100" 2B020H1 drive, which is 'tested' -- Fingers crossed! PS, the folks at the link above were very helpful, and given me an incentive to send them as a last resort. Very nice blokes. What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? Thanks. Jaz (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
#4
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
"Folkert Rienstra" wrote in message reenews.net... "Jaz" wrote in message A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin- down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". Apt name. Describes the process of recovery very neatly. What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? Thanks. Jaz (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) Have you tried the freezer trick yet? It didn't work for me, but other people have had success with it. When I tried it, the drive did respond faster, even though it ultimately still did not get recognized properly by the BIOS. Put the drive in the freezer for an hour, then hook it up to the computer and see what happens. Todd |
#5
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Have you tried the freezer trick yet? It didn't work for me, but other
people have had success with it. When I tried it, the drive did respond faster, even though it ultimately still did not get recognized properly by the BIOS. Put the drive in the freezer for an hour, then hook it up to the computer and see what happens. You may put it on a block of dry ice instead. It works faster. |
#6
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Jaz wrote:
A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin-down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? You might try a local small computer shop that can give you a realistic price. It's called competition. I have dealt with some that allow you to wait and watch if you tell them you have someone else that is willing to do the same. Works for me. |
#7
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 15:49:53 GMT, "Todd" wrote:
Have you tried the freezer trick yet? It didn't work for me, but other people have had success with it. When I tried it, the drive did respond faster, even though it ultimately still did not get recognized properly by the BIOS. Put the drive in the freezer for an hour, then hook it up to the computer and see what happens. I left mine in for 24 hours and was able to retrieve the data I needed /but/ had to keep spraying the chip with a freezing spray to keep it going for long enough... Geo |
#8
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
In my experience computer shops don't do any work like this.. They only can
change entire drives.. - Mike "John" wrote in message . .. Jaz wrote: A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin-down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? You might try a local small computer shop that can give you a realistic price. It's called competition. I have dealt with some that allow you to wait and watch if you tell them you have someone else that is willing to do the same. Works for me. |
#9
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Michael Kennedy wrote:
In my experience computer shops don't do any work like this.. They only can change entire drives.. I have been in some shops that are no more than automobile mechanics. There are also some that are owned by very knowledgeable individuals. Data recovery specialists are more and more in demand and is a worthwhile endeavor. Local corporations that do not have a specialists on staff are more and more inclined to use these for quick turn around. I learned this first hand in desperation needing to recover a project due ASAP. Computer Geeks from Bestbuy is an example of the house call needs of more than small businesses. |
#10
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
What? are you saying Geek Squad does data recovery?!
Oh by the way.. I think the auto mechanic anaology is kind of a good / bad. There used to be auto mechanics that would rebuild break calipers, mastercylleders, alternators, starters, etc rather than replace the entire part. Now days this isn't usually cost effective and any big business like a dealership won't have any knowledgeable mechanics working for them.. I feel the same is true with comptuer repair. It used to be if you went in to a computer shop they'd have an oscilloscope, soldering station, crt tester, etc.. I think it is just the advent of throw away equipment, cars and electronics. - Mike "John" wrote in message ... Michael Kennedy wrote: In my experience computer shops don't do any work like this.. They only can change entire drives.. I have been in some shops that are no more than automobile mechanics. There are also some that are owned by very knowledgeable individuals. Data recovery specialists are more and more in demand and is a worthwhile endeavor. Local corporations that do not have a specialists on staff are more and more inclined to use these for quick turn around. I learned this first hand in desperation needing to recover a project due ASAP. Computer Geeks from Bestbuy is an example of the house call needs of more than small businesses. |
#11
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Michael Kennedy wrote:
What? are you saying Geek Squad does data recovery?! No, after I read what I posted I was sure it would appear that way. I meant to use that as an example of immediate needs at an affordable price. BAD example. Oh by the way.. I think the auto mechanic anaology is kind of a good / bad. There used to be auto mechanics that would rebuild break calipers, mastercylleders, alternators, starters, etc rather than replace the entire part. Now days this isn't usually cost effective and any big business like a dealership won't have any knowledgeable mechanics working for them.. I feel the same is true with comptuer repair. It used to be if you went in to a computer shop they'd have an oscilloscope, soldering station, crt tester, etc.. I think it is just the advent of throw away equipment, cars and electronics. - Mike I remember well. With the disposability factor these days there are still things that do not fall into that category. I see the 'Local Data Recovery Specialists' as the emergency room of computer industry. "John" wrote in message ... Michael Kennedy wrote: In my experience computer shops don't do any work like this.. They only can change entire drives.. I have been in some shops that are no more than automobile mechanics. There are also some that are owned by very knowledgeable individuals. Data recovery specialists are more and more in demand and is a worthwhile endeavor. Local corporations that do not have a specialists on staff are more and more inclined to use these for quick turn around. I learned this first hand in desperation needing to recover a project due ASAP. Computer Geeks from Bestbuy is an example of the house call needs of more than small businesses. |
#12
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
"Michael Kennedy" wrote:
What? are you saying Geek Squad does data recovery?! Oh by the way.. I think the auto mechanic anaology is kind of a good / bad. There used to be auto mechanics that would rebuild break calipers, mastercylleders, alternators, starters, etc rather than replace the entire part. Now days this isn't usually cost effective and any big business like a dealership won't have any knowledgeable mechanics working for them.. I feel the same is true with comptuer repair. It used to be if you went in to a computer shop they'd have an oscilloscope, soldering station, crt tester, etc.. I think it is just the advent of throw away equipment, cars and electronics. Years ago I would make an enjoyable weekend of replacing the 5th piston in my '63 Buick Wildcat -- it had a cracked cylindar wall and the rings would eventually get gummed up by watery oil. Much more recently I drove an '87 Quattro and used to take it to the dealer or one of the bigger reputible shops because I wanted it fixed right. After 3-4 visits I realized they didn't know how to fix cars and I resorted to being my own mechanic again. So in regards to the this disk drive, I can understand the need for clean-rooms and delicate instruments. But since I belive this is a controller problem I'll try tackling it myself before I send it off to somebody. Here in Boston there is TechFusion, but they want $850 for a best case scenario. The folks in the UK are a bit cheaper and have a no-fix/no-pay policy. I did find a seller of a same-model drive who claims the controller model # matches, so I'll try this before the freeze spray method. Stay tuned! "John" wrote in message ... Michael Kennedy wrote: In my experience computer shops don't do any work like this.. They only can change entire drives.. I have been in some shops that are no more than automobile mechanics. There are also some that are owned by very knowledgeable individuals. Data recovery specialists are more and more in demand and is a worthwhile endeavor. Local corporations that do not have a specialists on staff are more and more inclined to use these for quick turn around. I learned this first hand in desperation needing to recover a project due ASAP. Computer Geeks from Bestbuy is an example of the house call needs of more than small businesses. (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
#13
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
That sounds like a good plan. I think it should work since they say most
drive failures are due to electronics not the platters. Good Luck, - Mike "Jaz" wrote in message ... "Michael Kennedy" wrote: What? are you saying Geek Squad does data recovery?! Oh by the way.. I think the auto mechanic anaology is kind of a good / bad. There used to be auto mechanics that would rebuild break calipers, mastercylleders, alternators, starters, etc rather than replace the entire part. Now days this isn't usually cost effective and any big business like a dealership won't have any knowledgeable mechanics working for them.. I feel the same is true with comptuer repair. It used to be if you went in to a computer shop they'd have an oscilloscope, soldering station, crt tester, etc.. I think it is just the advent of throw away equipment, cars and electronics. Years ago I would make an enjoyable weekend of replacing the 5th piston in my '63 Buick Wildcat -- it had a cracked cylindar wall and the rings would eventually get gummed up by watery oil. Much more recently I drove an '87 Quattro and used to take it to the dealer or one of the bigger reputible shops because I wanted it fixed right. After 3-4 visits I realized they didn't know how to fix cars and I resorted to being my own mechanic again. So in regards to the this disk drive, I can understand the need for clean-rooms and delicate instruments. But since I belive this is a controller problem I'll try tackling it myself before I send it off to somebody. Here in Boston there is TechFusion, but they want $850 for a best case scenario. The folks in the UK are a bit cheaper and have a no-fix/no-pay policy. I did find a seller of a same-model drive who claims the controller model # matches, so I'll try this before the freeze spray method. Stay tuned! "John" wrote in message ... Michael Kennedy wrote: In my experience computer shops don't do any work like this.. They only can change entire drives.. I have been in some shops that are no more than automobile mechanics. There are also some that are owned by very knowledgeable individuals. Data recovery specialists are more and more in demand and is a worthwhile endeavor. Local corporations that do not have a specialists on staff are more and more inclined to use these for quick turn around. I learned this first hand in desperation needing to recover a project due ASAP. Computer Geeks from Bestbuy is an example of the house call needs of more than small businesses. (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
#14
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Just grab all of them (with same board) you see on ebay.
Don't do the "freezer trick" if you value your data. "Jaz" wrote in message ... A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin-down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. |
#15
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
"Peter" wrote in
: Have you tried the freezer trick yet? It didn't work for me, but other people have had success with it. When I tried it, the drive did respond faster, even though it ultimately still did not get recognized properly by the BIOS. Put the drive in the freezer for an hour, then hook it up to the computer and see what happens. You may put it on a block of dry ice instead. It works faster. Dry ice worked for me. I started with the freezer and it showed promise. Then I got some dry ice and copied like mad until it quit, then I let it chill back down and did it again. Kept it up, got all 60GB back! |
#16
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Don't do the "freezer trick" if you value your data. Well you could freeze the control board without any worries but I wouldn't freeze the entire drive. - Mike |
#17
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
FWIW, a couple years ago I went through a situation similar to what you're
going through. During my Internet research I learned that firmware versions of controller boards may vary between otherwise identical looking drives, and this might result in a compatibility problem. The person I learned this from commented that after he went through swapping controller boards and discovered the firmware difference, he made it his practice, when buying a new hard drive, to always buy a second identical drive at the same time from the same batch as the first (to ensure matching firmware) so he could confidently swap the controller boards should he need to. Hope this helps. Fabian "Jaz" wrote in message ... A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin-down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? Thanks. Jaz (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
#18
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Fabian Fuller wrote:
FWIW, a couple years ago I went through a situation similar to what you're going through. During my Internet research I learned that firmware versions of controller boards may vary between otherwise identical looking drives, and this might result in a compatibility problem. The person I learned this from commented that after he went through swapping controller boards and discovered the firmware difference, he made it his practice, when buying a new hard drive, to always buy a second identical drive at the same time from the same batch as the first (to ensure matching firmware) so he could confidently swap the controller boards should he need to. This in no way guarantees the drives will have the same firmware version. There's every single chance that they could be from different batches. I don't understand why your friend didn't just run the drives in RAID 1 array. The chances of them both failing together (unless they were both Maxtors or some other cause) would probably be adequate, coupled with a backup regime. Odie -- Retrodata www.retrodata.co.uk Globally Local Data Recovery Experts |
#19
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Agreed, RAID 1 array is a solution. Wasn't my friend, rather someone who
posted on the Internet. I don't recall if he discussed RAID. Some PC's only have physical space for one internal hard drive. As I recall, he contacted Maxtor and they informed him what to look for on the packaging to determine if the drives are from the same batch. Fabian "Odie" wrote in message ... Fabian Fuller wrote: FWIW, a couple years ago I went through a situation similar to what you're going through. During my Internet research I learned that firmware versions of controller boards may vary between otherwise identical looking drives, and this might result in a compatibility problem. The person I learned this from commented that after he went through swapping controller boards and discovered the firmware difference, he made it his practice, when buying a new hard drive, to always buy a second identical drive at the same time from the same batch as the first (to ensure matching firmware) so he could confidently swap the controller boards should he need to. This in no way guarantees the drives will have the same firmware version. There's every single chance that they could be from different batches. I don't understand why your friend didn't just run the drives in RAID 1 array. The chances of them both failing together (unless they were both Maxtors or some other cause) would probably be adequate, coupled with a backup regime. Odie -- Retrodata www.retrodata.co.uk Globally Local Data Recovery Experts |
#20
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Fabian Fuller wrote:
FWIW, a couple years ago I went through a situation similar to what you're going through. During my Internet research I learned that firmware versions of controller boards may vary between otherwise identical looking drives, and this might result in a compatibility problem. The person I learned this from commented that after he went through swapping controller boards and discovered the firmware difference, he made it his practice, when buying a new hard drive, to always buy a second identical drive at the same time from the same batch as the first (to ensure matching firmware) so he could confidently swap the controller boards should he need to. Makes a lot more sense to backup properly. "Jaz" wrote in message ... A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin-down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? Thanks. Jaz (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
#21
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Most people learn that (the hard way).
"Rod Speed" wrote in message ... Fabian Fuller wrote: FWIW, a couple years ago I went through a situation similar to what you're going through. During my Internet research I learned that firmware versions of controller boards may vary between otherwise identical looking drives, and this might result in a compatibility problem. The person I learned this from commented that after he went through swapping controller boards and discovered the firmware difference, he made it his practice, when buying a new hard drive, to always buy a second identical drive at the same time from the same batch as the first (to ensure matching firmware) so he could confidently swap the controller boards should he need to. Makes a lot more sense to backup properly. "Jaz" wrote in message ... A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin-down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? Thanks. Jaz (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
#22
Posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage,alt.comp.hardware,sci.electronics.repair
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Maxtor disk failed. Controller replacement?
Fabian Fuller wrote
Most people learn that (the hard way). In fact he's doing something completely stupid, getting an identical spare in case its needed instead of using that for backup right from the start. "Rod Speed" wrote in message ... Fabian Fuller wrote: FWIW, a couple years ago I went through a situation similar to what you're going through. During my Internet research I learned that firmware versions of controller boards may vary between otherwise identical looking drives, and this might result in a compatibility problem. The person I learned this from commented that after he went through swapping controller boards and discovered the firmware difference, he made it his practice, when buying a new hard drive, to always buy a second identical drive at the same time from the same batch as the first (to ensure matching firmware) so he could confidently swap the controller boards should he need to. Makes a lot more sense to backup properly. "Jaz" wrote in message ... A have a Maxtor 20GB 2B020H1 which is doing the spin-up then spin-down thing. The controller says ATHENA ATA2-PLUS, FBII 301430100. I found this site http://www.hddtech.co.uk/MaxtorFailureSymptoms.htm and my symptoms match precisely. So I bought a working 2B020H1 used. I swapped the contoller but the drive isn't recognized at POST. I swapped the controller back to the spare-parts drive and that one works fine. Worth noting is that with the spare controller, the original drive no longer spins down after spin up. Then I noticed that the spare controller part number is slightly different. The new one reads "ATHEN II/POKER". What's interesting is why this controller would not be detected by the BIOS when attached to the old platter assembly. I verified that the geometry and the Maxtor part numbers are both the same. Anyway, aside from trying to find another spare controller that matches exactly, and before I resort to an $800+ professional recovery, is there anything else I should try? Thanks. Jaz (Please excuse the 'burp' when replying (b)) |
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