Broken data port on WD blue hard drive

[dg_hlc]

The data port has snapped on the hard drive. Is there a UK supplier for a new pcb 2060-771945-002? I can only find overseas with prolonged delivery. As I have only owned this computer for about 2 weeks I would like to get it working again. I know that I can get the bios chip swapped locally if necessary. Many thanks dg_hlc

[erico]

"The data port has snapped on the hard drive."

On the hard drive or on the motherboard?

If it is on the disk drive just replace it with a new one and reinstall the OS.

How did you manage to break it?

This has nothing to do with the BIOS. 

What did you mean  by"I know that I can get the bios chip swapped locally if necessary"

[dg_hlc]

Many tas for reply. This was the first time I used a forum. It seems as if I do not have enough knowledge to describe things. I will attempt to clarify things. Yes I broke the connection on the hard drive by leaning on it while attempting to add ram to the computer, I was left with exposed connectors and the clip that should be on the drive stuck inside the cable. I have been inside many computers to do this. Never has the ram slots been in such an almost (without removing drives) impossible inaccessible place. The main reason for asking my original question was to find a UK supplier of the hard drive pcb (part number on original question). When you say replace an reload to you mean the pcb on the drive or the whole drive. When investigating the matter it seems that there is a BIOS chip on the drive pcb which may need to be replaced dependant on what computer it is attached too. I should point out that this matter urgent as I have managed to make a temp repair. It's amazing what can be done with glue and a sharp point to move connectors

Many thanks again

[Mighty_Miro_WD · Accepted solution]

Hi @dg_hlc!

I personally would suggest to look for a new drive if possible because problems related to the PCB of the unit are not easy to solve.

Of course, you can try to replace it if you want, but I won't recommend it. I'm not saying that not only because this is an unsupported and not recommended operation in general, but mostly because that the risk of damaging the drive further is too big and that the chance of finding an exact match of a PCB is really low due to the differences in firmware over the years.

The danger is that it may (will) have different settings for how to align the heads to the tracks on the physical disk surface, and when it tries to write anything (which it will) it will result in all the current data being obliterated.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

[erico]

The SATA drive PCB has a controller and firmware installed in an EEPROM chip that communicates with the desktop's BIOS and storage controller. 

Manufacturers of disk drives don't sell the PCBs separately to consumers. 

Your temp fix is likely to be a permanent one until you replace the drive with a new one.