Question Recovering data from HDD of dead PCB board

[Natalie Kruger]

Hi everyone,

I have an Seagate GoFlex external harddrive with a 1TB 7200.12 harddrive inside. https://www.cnet.com/reviews/seagate-freeagent-goflex-desk-review/

The PCB just died and I have a lot of data in it that I would like to recover. Is there anyway I can recover it? I did a continuity test on the bigger diodes and I am getting readings. What should I do next? I have taken a few pictures of the PCB:
https://ibb.co/g47McGX

photo-2022-03-15-19-36-49 hosted at ImgBB

Image photo-2022-03-15-19-36-49 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

https://ibb.co/gTScnRm

photo-2022-03-15-19-36-51 hosted at ImgBB

Image photo-2022-03-15-19-36-51 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

https://ibb.co/gTScnRm

photo-2022-03-15-19-36-58 hosted at ImgBB

Image photo-2022-03-15-19-36-58 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

https://ibb.co/MB6xGnP

photo-2022-03-15-19-37-00 hosted at ImgBB

Image photo-2022-03-15-19-37-00 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

Could this be the culprit?(looks like something is leaking) If so how can I fix it?

https://ibb.co/BKZ52g7

Please advise,
Thanks

 

[fzabkar]

"I am getting readings ". What results do you see for the resistances on the 200 ohms range?

You can clean up the discolouration at the SATA data pins using a toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol.

 

[yossibac]

Can't you pull the HD out and connect it to another PC?

 

[fzabkar]

Can't you pull the HD out and connect it to another PC?

I wouldn't do this if either of the two TVS diodes are shorted. That's because there is a risk that the tiny inductors next to the diodes will burn up like this:

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/12V_TVS_link.JPG