Compatibility of the PCB can be identified by the MLC (Machine Level Code) printed on the main hard disk label (See Fig 1). However, capacity must be the same because configuration information is stored on the PCB that identifies how many heads are used by the hard drive. Alternative capacities use different configurations of head count. Hitachi ATMR hard disk drives cannot have their PCB’s exchanged without a depot repair.

Another way to identify interchangability is by using the label printed on the PCB (See Fig 2) Electronics will mostly match and PCB will be completely interchangeable if the first two lines of alphanumeric values match.

The latest Seagate drives have many configuration issues; this is mainly due to the fact that each factory has their own design changes. For PCB replacement Ultratec would recommend matching two parts of the drive label, “Config” and “Firmware” (See Fig 3). If you cannot source the correct “Config” and “Firmware” you can sometimes have success only matching the “Firmware”.

Capacity is stored on the HDA (disk assembly) and is not a pre-requisite for PCB exchange. The embedded (BOOT) code is also needed for correct replacement of the PCB, e.g. 23400361 (see Fig 3)

There are many generations of Western Digital hard drives, many using the same model number but differing architectures. As a rule of thumb we recommend matching the whole model number e.g. WD400BB-71CAA1 (Fig 4), and secondly matching the part number on the PCB will enhance your chances of a successfully recovery (see fig 5). Please note that the DCM (Drive Configuration Matrix) number pertains to the drives configuration and is mostly used for matching media, pre-amp and head types.

Quantum drives are probably the easiest drives to exchange PCB. Quantum used a part number and revision that was printed onto the drive HDA (Head Disk Assembly see Fig 6) this part number identifies the interface type and generation of hard disk.

This style of identification can be used up to Galaxy and Viper generations which were the last Quantum manufactured disk drives. E.g. D740X-6L with a HDA part number of AVQ30510 = ATA/VIPER Revision 0510

Maxtor drives use a system of HDA/Uplevel, PCBA/Uplevel and Unique/Uplevel. For the best chance of PCB compatibility Ultratec recommends matching the PCBA/Uplevel and also firmware revision.

The system of HDA/Uplevel, PCBA/Uplevel and Unique/Uplevel is still used by Maxtor in the form of the long model number e.g. 6E040L0hhppuu (6E040L0510223) where “pp” is the PCB.uplevel revision.

Ultratec recommends using the long model number for PCB revision and also the number printed on the PCB near the interface connector, this is usually in the form of “B4FEA” (See fig 7)

Hitachi drives are relatively simple to match for PCB exchange. Two parts need to match which can be found on the PCB label. Part 1 which is the PCB generation and Part 2 which is the PCB firmware type (See Fig 8).

In AA/BA/CA/DA generations the process is relatively simple, however for the latest EA/FB generation’s workshop intervention is required.

Samsung hard disk drives require a matching of firmware revision and also preferably same PCB REV. The firmware revision is normally labelled onto the flash firmware IC for older Samsung hard disks; however on the latest Samsung drives you will find the firmware revision on the top label (See fig 9)

The MPG3XXXAT PicoBird 16H generation of hard disk was probably the best known drive for data recovery in the past.

The MPG3102AT / MPG3204AT disk drives do not have exchangeable PCB’s, this is due to certain tunings involved during the manufacturing stage, workshop intervention is required for this process. All other capacities in this range can be PCB exchanged, notably the MPG3xxxAH range have no problem for PCB exchange.

Ultratec recommends matching the correct model number and firmware revision, the firmware revision is located in the bottom left corner of the drives main label. The values consist of 6 digits xx-xxxx that is required for PCB match. (See Fig 10)