Looking for help identifying HDD FW

**evilsatan** · 5th June 2011

I have a new client who are looking for some data recovery. A chip on their HDD board has burnt out so I am looking to purchase an identical model HDD, replace the board and hope to be able to image the drive then extract it. Below is a photo of the HDD in question, there are loads of these on ebay.

I have found several of them which match the 'Code: YAR41BW0' but none of these match the letters below this code. Most that I have found have 6Y120L0132011 whereas I need 6Y120L0131011. Mine is manufactured 13MAY2003 but most others are 2004. Mine has A 10 which looks like it might refer to the FW version.

Does anyone know which of these numbers I must match and which ones might not matter? I assume as long as the HW rev is correct the FW might not matter.

Cheers

**Zoots** · 5th June 2011

I remember going through this myself mate and as far as I can recall it does matter very much. I was lucky enough to find an exact model & firmware, and swapping out the logic boards worked a treat. I did an awful lot of googling and ebay trawling to find it.
I had the same thought as you though and got one with a slightly different revision for a friends and as suspected, it didn't work.

**evilsatan** · 5th June 2011

I have found a very closely matched drive. From what I can read (the res of the image is poor) it looks like all numbers match apart from the 'A 10' in the bottom right corner, on the drive I have found it reads 'B 1'. The 4 letters possible read 'N M C D' but as mine says 'N M G D' I think the image quality might make the G look like a C.

I might risk it and try this drive, the problem is the drive was manufactured for at least two years so there are loads of revisions. I have emailed several sellers on ebay for drive details but will see if they get back to me or not.

**Zoots** · 5th June 2011

Yep. From where I'm sitting I can see the same drive, albeit a 160gb one, and that's the one I got the board for so I know only too well how many there are! Mine says K G C D by the way.
It's worth a go mate and you can always send it back if they don't plastic blue the logic board screws

**evilsatan** · 5th June 2011

I think I have the 250GB version here somewhere but I don't think that would work

**evilsatan** · 5th June 2011

Found some more info:

Model: 6Y060L0, 6Y080L0, 6Y120L0, 6Y160L0

Firmware code: YAR41BW0

PCB part number: M6FYA, L6FYA, J6FYA, F4FYA. (If your part number doesn't match one of these but ends in 'FYA', for example K2FYA, G2FYA, G6FYA etc - send message with details)

Main chip code: ARDENT C8-C1 / 040111300

Buyer shall be responsible for ensuring compatibility with their drive prior to purchase as the item is non-refundable, seller shall not be liable for any incompatibility, loss of data or failure to restore the drive to operation.

Check ALL the following details to match this PCB to your drive:

- The firmware code is one of the above
- The PCB part number is one of the above
- The code on the main chip is ARDENT C8-C1 / 040111300

So it looks like I can use the board from a 60GB, 80GB, 120GB or 160GB HDD as long as my FW code, chipset and PCB part number matches. My PCB part number is G6FYA and the FW and chipset matches so looks like I might have found what I need

**Over Carl** · 5th June 2011

It may not work at all - I believe with older hd's this would work no problem, but aren't the boards on newer ones calibrated to the mechanisms or something?

I have a sneaky feeling I may have some of these lying around in a drawer at work - will post back tomorrow

**evilsatan** · 5th June 2011

These are old IDE drives so I think they would work fine, it was manufactured in 2003. If you had a compatible one for sale mate that would be great. I have found some which look like they will work but I am waiting for a reply to confirm this before I purchase.

Cheers