My 2TB WD My Book Essential 3.5" external drive, model no. WDBACW0020HBK-01 suddenly failed to power up, it just sit at a corner and i rarely move it

i check the adapter and usb cable, both working fine

my warranty finished d, called wd support to try my luck, they say need to send in for RMA and the files inside need data recovery, ridiculous

Google a lot and apparently the control board is the culprit, the hdd is still ok 1, i pry open the casing and found the control board part number 4061-705094-001 Rev 13R

the data in the hdd is encrypted by the controller board, thus putting the hdd into a generic casing to access the data wouldn't work

the solution is to replace the controller board, found a seller online but just buying the controller board would cost over 200 whereas a new 2tb drive is just 350++



anyone here experience the same problem and manage to fix it? or if you know where to get the controller board locally?

any help is very much appreciated, thanks.



This post has been edited by nasiayam: Sep 6 2014, 12:28 PM

try your luck by search it at the pc repair shop (the usually keept old junkies that might suite your model)

Hi nasiayam, it sounds that you could be having problems with the drive, Operating System (OS), data cable, power cable, or a combination of different problems.

I've been searching & surfing the Internet & came across a related KB in Western Digital (WD) website which might be useful for you.

WD external drive power issue - http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3537

Try it out & let me know how it goes.

Hi tommy_thaitanium,

I've tried the solutions mentioned in the KB but nothing work

tried another usb cable, make sure the adapter is working and tried it on another laptop

the power input socket on the external drive is kinda different, i tried to plug in the unifi modem power adapter but can't fit. But the external drive's power adapter plugs in nicely on the unifi modem and powers it up nicely

i barely move the usb cable because it's always plugged in, so i doubt it's the problem

If the drive doesn't work on another computer, even after changing the data cable, then the problem could be with the drive itself.

Try to test the drive for problems by using WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics - http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/940

1) If the drive is recognized and passes this test, please contact WD Support - http://support.wdc.com for further assistance.

2) If the drive fails this test you will need to RMA your drive - http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8

I hope the workaround helps to resolve the problems.

Its not adviseable nor recommended to change the controller PCB on Western Digital hard drives. Also if you hard drive have encryption, changing the controller PCB may also be detrimental (as encryption information is usually stored on the controller firmware itself). You may want to check/diagnose the power supply distribution section on that controller PCB for failed components...

Having just power not necessarily means the power supply is working well. Do you have either a multimeter, a voltmeter or an oscilloscope to check the voltage output? Bad voltages and noisy rails can affect hard drives easily...

This post has been edited by lex: Aug 18 2014, 06:07 PM

I strongly agree with /u/lex. Replacing the printed circuit board may very well cause a mechanical failure and render your salvageable data unrecoverable.

this is the external hdd's pcb or the hdd's pcb?

if it's the former's pcb, then why not try just put the hdd into a working desktop and try your luck?

will have a go at lyp to try my luck

pc unable to detect the external hdd and since no sound from the hdd, it seems like the hdd is not even power up, either adapter got prob or the external hdd pcb (controller board) got prob with the power

out of warranty d, plus they ask me to approach data recovery to get back the data which would cost a lot

regarding the encryption, i've checked online and rule of thumb is must use the exact same part number and revision of external hdd pcb (controller board)

i'm not that technical =/ will drop by lyp later to check if the adapter is working as it is supposed to

the part i'm looking for is the external hdd pcb (controller board), not the pcb that is attached the hdd, the external hdd pcb (controller board) will be attached to the hdd through the sata ports, and the external hdd is connected to the pc through the usb 3.0 port on the external hdd pcb (controller board), power is connected through the power input port on the external hdd pcb (controller board) as well

initially i thought could have just take out the hdd inside and put in a generic external casing, as i dig deeper, found that the external hdd pcb (controller board) hardware encrypts the data into the hdd inside, must go through that external hdd pcb (controller board) to access the files inside

as can see from the youtube vid, the guy change the controller board of the external hdd, and that's the part i'm looking for

thanks for the reply guys

This post has been edited by nasiayam: Aug 19 2014, 05:29 PM

Part of the encryption information is kept inside the firmware on the controller PCB itself. Also read the next reply below...

As mentioned earlier, not recommended to change controller PCBs for Western Digital hard drives. That's because each PCB's firmware has been customised for each individual hard drive. Example quote from Data Recovery From Western Digital Caviar Hard Disk Drives...

Looked into this issue last night and Lex is right, the data is hardware encrypted by a special Initio 1607E chip. However, it should also be noted that at least 2 other forumers @ HDDguru were successful in recovering their data after replacing the controller PCB with the EXACT part no and revision no. There was also one other forumer who ordered the same the part but couldn't get his data back. So there is still a chance of success.

http://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17398&start=80

In the mean time, start putting your remaining WD Mybooks on UPS and Surge Protectors. Shut it down if they are not being used. Get WD Element 3.5" external instead which is cheaper and comes without encryption by default. Or better yet, move your data to a NAS that runs on SW RAID and non-proprietary hardware-agnostic ie NAS motherboard easily replaceable if it fails, and data easily recoverable.

Finally can access the external drive d

Bought the replacement for this pcb, "4061-705094-001 Rev 13R" from http://www.parts.com.hk (i got it from his ebay http://www.ebay.com/usr/ecpart888, much more cheaper there)

replaced it as per the vid in 1st post and it start up finally

i got the external drive checked to make sure the adapter, cable and hdd is working before ordering that pcb

thx for all the replies guys, appreciate it

p.s. got myself another 3.5" hdd with generic enclosure this time, selling this pcb for those who need it https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=3323361&hl=

This post has been edited by nasiayam: Sep 6 2014, 12:25 PM

Awesome

Had the exact same problem last night... Mine is 4061-705094-001 Rev AG.

Anyone of you knows if i order this one:

"Item Condition:
Brand New and Tested
Firmware(v2.02x) updated by parts.com.hk
Support below part number:
Fully Compatible 4061-705094-001 REV 12R/13R/P1/A/AA/AB/AC/AD/AE/AF/AG"

Will it work? Just not to take any chances... If it has to be the same exact numbers and letters, although they display it as being compatible with all those models....

Please help!

I´m having a hard time finding one that i´m sure is this one -> 4061-705094-001 Rev AG

This post has been edited by rcp2014: Sep 20 2014, 01:56 AM

i told them the number part i need and they send me the pcb with the exact same number 4061-705094-001 Rev 13R

communicate with them first bout the part that u need, they respond and ship fast

This post has been edited by nasiayam: Sep 20 2014, 01:12 PM

Let´s see the luck that awaits me...

Well, problem solved, got the new controller board, million thanks for all the help!

How much did you have to pay for your replacement PCB?

glad to know that bro!

btw, your faulty board is 4061-705094-001 Rev AG, the seller sent you the board with Rev AG or different 1?

This post has been edited by nasiayam: Oct 8 2014, 10:37 AM

Around 50 USD - shipping already included!

He sent me the Rev AA one. As per the description of the item, it is compatible with all of them. I confirmed that with the seller via private message, before placing the order of course.

This post has been edited by rcp2014: Oct 10 2014, 11:30 AM

Still affordable, for retrieving your locked data...

More than affordable I might add...

Hi, I'm looking for this controller PCB "4061-705094-001 Rev AG" but in the chinese market is sold out
Anyone can help please

Anyone here still has this board 4061-705094-001 for sale?