Hard drive PCB damage file retrieval can be daunting, especially when a power surge or liquid spill knocks your drive offline. In this real-world case study, we show how Payam Data Recovery retrieved critical data from a severely damaged hard drive circuit board. This is not theory, this is what we do in our lab every day. If you’re facing a similar issue, get a free quote today.
What Happened in This Hard Drive PCB Damage File Retrieval Case?
A client brought in a 3.5-inch desktop hard drive that stopped powering on after a lightning strike during a storm. The printed circuit board (PCB) showed visible scorch marks. DIY attempts had failed. No sounds. No spin. No detection by the computer. Their photos, accounting files, and legal documents were all stuck on the drive.
Severe electrical damage like this often destroys essential controller chips. Attempting a PCB swap without the proper match or firmware handling can cause permanent loss. Thankfully, they came to us before further damage occurred.
Can Hard Drive PCB Damage Be Fixed?
Yes, file recovery from a damaged hard drive circuit board is possible. However, it must be done by professionals with the right tools. Each PCB is unique, requiring not just a physical match but also firmware transfer. Without this, the drive will never unlock user data.
At Payam, we’ve handled hundreds of power surge recoveries and PCB replacements. We have thousands of donor boards, and the equipment needed to transfer firmware safely. Our hard drive recovery lab is purpose-built for these jobs.
How Payam Handled the PCB Replacement Data Recovery
- Free Assessment: We performed a same-day diagnostic at our Sydney lab.
- Quote and Approval: We quoted the client based on PCB damage, not guesswork. They approved.
- PCB Swap: Using donor parts, we matched the board model, then transferred the ROM chip (which holds unique calibration data).
- Data Extraction: Once operational, we imaged the drive sector-by-sector using PC-3000 and extracted the user data.
- Success: 100% of the files were recovered and returned on a new USB hard drive.
Another example of Payam helping clients recover what matters most. Read more case studies here.
Why Trust Payam for Hard Drive PCB Damage File Retrieval?
- Australia’s oldest data recovery company since 1998
- 150,000+ successful recoveries
- Australia’s largest data recovery company with 6 labs and 15 expert engineers
- Trusted by government agencies and 2000+ IT companies
- Real labs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Rhodes
- ISO-certified Class-100 cleanroom environment
- No outsourcing or offshoring, all work done in-house
- Industry-leading 90%+ success rate
Costs and Timeline for Hard Drive PCB Damage File Retrieval
File retrieval costs range from AUD 375 to 2000 for non-urgent jobs. Priority options are available. Prices depend on the model and damage severity. After our free 1-2 day assessment, you’ll receive a detailed quote with no pressure. Jobs involving donor PCBs or rare firmware chips may take longer if donor parts must be sourced.
Common Questions on Hard Drive PCB Damage File Retrieval
- How long does PCB recovery take? Most take 5-10 days, but urgent cases can be expedited.
- Can I just swap the board myself? No. You need to transfer ROM data from the old board. Without that, it won’t work.
- Is my data safe? Yes. All work is done in-house under strict confidentiality protocols.
Learn More About PCB Failures
For technical insights on how PCB faults affect hard drives, see this Wikipedia guide on HDD PCBs.
Similar Devices We Recover From
- Seagate Barracuda 2TB
- WD Blue 1TB/2TB
- Toshiba DT01ACA
- Samsung Spinpoint
- Hitachi Deskstar
- HGST Ultrastar
- WD Elements External HDD
- LaCie Rugged USB drives
- G-Technology G-Drives
Ready to Retrieve Your Files?
Book your free assessment now, or ring us on 1300 444 800. Abroad? Post your device to our nearest lab. We’re here to help. Read our reviews at payam.com.au/reviews.
Our Labs Across Australia
- Sydney: Level 11, 65 York Street, NSW 2000
- Rhodes: Ground Floor, 5 Rider Boulevard, NSW 2138
- Melbourne: Level 11, 456 Lonsdale Street, VIC 3000
- Brisbane: Level 10, 95 North Quay, QLD 4000
- Adelaide: Level 24, 91 King William Street, SA 5000
- Perth: Level 28, 140 St Georges Terrace, WA 6000
Real labs with on-site engineers. No drop-off points, no delays.