External HDD Drive Intermittent working fixed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got a call from one of my colleagues who are at the customer’s place doing data backup process. He was having some problem with his External Backup drive stated the unit worked intermittently. This means sometimes it works and sometimes don’t.

So I advised him to turn off the unit instantly (because it has Hard Disk inside and the data can easily get damaged with this type of problem) and get the unit to the workshop as per my suggestion he arrived at my workshop later that day.

I have connected this unit on my setup and powered on, I am not getting the power light On indication . Hence I have checked the power adapter marked with 12V DC output and seem ok when tested with multimeter. It showed 12.57 Volt as seen from the photo below:

Now it is time to disassemble the unit. So I have disassembled the unit and removed the HDD and this enclosure is SATA HDD connection type.

On visual inspection I did not find any physical damage or burning marks. So now it is time to check the solder side of the PCB. Once I flipped the PCB I found the whole PCB was covered with protective tape so I opened the tape carefully with the help of the tweezers.

Yes I found one of the pins of power socket was dry solder and it had caused the intermittent working fault. So I have resoldered the pins.

And once power was applied, the power indicator LED Light was immediately “ON”.

After assembling the unit, I tested the external hard disk for 2 hours without any problem.

This article was prepared for you by Yogesh Panchal who works as a Computer Hardware Engineer in Mumbai India.

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Note: You can check his previous repair articles on LCD Monitor in the link below:

Sony Laptop Charger Repair- Intermittent Problem

 

14 Comments

1. 

   Anwar Shiekh

   September 13, 2016 at 10:33 am

   I am one who tends to use old fashioned leaded solder as it seems less prone to failure than the modern lead free solder.

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     Yogesh Panchal

     September 16, 2016 at 10:00 pm

     Anwar saab,

     You are right major problems in electronic circuits now a days are dry joint due to Lead free solder.

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     Reply
2. 

   Parasuraman

   September 13, 2016 at 10:51 am

   Good job!

   Likes(1)Dislikes(0)

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   • 

     Yogesh Panchal

     September 16, 2016 at 10:01 pm

     thank you Sir.

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     Reply
3. 

   Albert van Bemmelen

   September 13, 2016 at 2:12 pm

   Good Job Yogesh. Power Jacks like USB sticks often tend to get quite hot inside Laptops and external HDD units on their connector. And because any force on the mechanical construction can make it worse these things are likely to happen. I noticed that the smallest USB Memory Sticks available get the hottest and the electronic Circuits inside are easily damaged. Once one of my Wifi USB Dongles often got really hot until it finally gave up on me. Luckily I had 10 Years Guarantee. I got my money back and bought another Manufacturers Wifi Dongle. And that one still works!

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     Yogesh Panchal

     September 16, 2016 at 10:07 pm

     Albert,

     Yes Poor build quality products are worst.even some time good brand also. I don't know why these manufacturers are having quality control & R & D department in their unit.

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4. 

   Gerald

   September 13, 2016 at 3:13 pm

   Well done Yogesh, thanks for sharing. Like Anwar I don't trust lead free solder and suspect that all those problems come from the use of it. Sometimes I wonder if all the faulty equipment - faulty because of faulty joins - trashed by unaware people would not be a worse problem than leaded solder pollution...
   Cheers,
   GM

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     Yogesh Panchal

     September 16, 2016 at 10:09 pm

     Gerald,
     You are right sir.

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5. 

   suranga Electronics

   September 15, 2016 at 7:46 pm

   Hi Mr-Yogesh,.
   You done a very good repair!
   Thanks!

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     Yogesh Panchal

     September 16, 2016 at 10:10 pm

     Thank you Suranga.

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6. 

   Robert Calk

   September 15, 2016 at 10:06 pm

   Good job, Yogesh.

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   • 

     Yogesh Panchal

     September 16, 2016 at 10:10 pm

     Thank you Sir.

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7. 

   mahmoud_tajpour

   September 16, 2016 at 2:14 am

   Hi dear Yogesh this problem to seem simple but for find it must be great done.here you done a very nice repair therefor well done.

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     Yogesh Panchal

     September 16, 2016 at 10:12 pm

     Mahmoud saab,

     Thanks for your comment.

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