The purpose of this FAQ is to address a question that pops up on a regular basis at various storage forums. The usual scenario is that a hard drive has been overvolted, either as a consequence of a power supply failure, or as a result of user error. This often results in the failure of a TVS (Transient Voltage Suppression) diode. In most instances this diode succeeds in protecting the remaining electronics from further damage, in which case the solution involves an easy, no-cost DIY fix.
The information that follows is based almost exclusively on user feedback and on discussions in various storage and data recovery forums.
HDD TVS diode FAQ:
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Photo clips of shorted diodes:
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- Franc Zabkar