USB WD20SMZW 2TB HDD

[myiannakou]

I wish I could repair the original board but it's so cracked up I have not had much luck with it. May try again.

 

[myiannakou]

Have also checked all the diodes and they appear fine.

 

[pclab]

If it's cracked, I don't think there's nothing to do.
The best way is replace the PCB.

 

[myiannakou]

I think the customers ROM is preventing the motor from spinning up for some reason. Maybe a protective measure.

 

[myiannakou]

Ordered a SATA version of the controller for the drive which decrypts on the fly and managed to recover all the data.

 

[starparas]

try use usb sata adapter and use it on original pcb. may be it helps. on unlock pcb data will be encrypted.

 

[eastcoast]

Ordered a SATA version of the controller for the drive which decrypts on the fly and managed to recover all the data.

Myiannakou, could you confirm please what was it you ordered exactly, a new MCU or was it a new unlock board?

I am assuming your drive was a WD Charger with SED, i.e. didn't need the original MCU as if it was SED2 you wouldn't have been able to get data that way.

I am facing a case which sounds much like yours but with SED2 that needs the original MCU (CPU) for decryption keys.