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There is a summing-up about the compatibility for original and donor drives.

1. Maxtor

Firmware compatible
1. Same Code number
2. Same Model number
3. Same first three SN number.

As the picture displays below,  if we want to find the donor drive, the parameter should be same as following:
Model: 4R060L, Code: RAMC1TUO, SN: R2Sxxxxx.

maxtor-firmware-compatible

PCB compatible
The first thing to consider while searching a suitable PCB the processor chip label, like ARDENT-C5C1—84OUK, and the present of serial ROM, but usually we don’t care about it, if we could find the donor drive with same model, same Code and same PCB number, it should be compatible.

Head compatible
Same as the firmware compatible

2. Seagate

Firmware compatible
1. Same model
2. Same firmware version
3. Same ROM version

All those info we could find on the label and CMD mode. Look at the above picture, ALPINE-1 is the series number, S.15 is the ROM version, 3.06 is the firmware version.

PCB compatible
Same as the firmware compatible

Head compatible
Just request the same model

3. West Digital

Firmware compatible
White I series:
1. Similar Model Number (same capacity is required)
2. Same firmware version

White II / Black I&II / ROYL series:
1. Same model Number (new WD drive’s model number consist of two parts, we need find the donor one with same first part and the middle of second part, for example: the patient model is WD1600BEVS-22RST0, so we need find the donor one with WD1600BEVS-xxRSxx)

2. Same firmware version

PCB compatible
1. Same Model Number
2. Same PCB version (a string number on the PCB, like 2060-701450-011 REV A. not request all the same, but the more similar, the more success rate.)

Head compatible
1. Same Model Number
2. Same DCM Number (the more similar, the more success rate, at least the fifths and sixth number should be the same for example, patient drive’s DCM number is HHCTJHBB, so at least we need find the donor one with xxxxJHxx DCM Number)

4. HITACHI

Firmware compatible
For most case we could use the SA-C firmware. Difference with Maxtor, HITACHI drive could use the firmware in SA-C take place the firmware in SA-A, but except RAM0, be careful about it, if you have taken place RAM0, the drive would always click.
If the SA-C was broken too, you want to find the donor drive, just need the same series…for example, the patient drive is 5416 series, just find another 5416 series (same capacity) would be compatible.

PCB compatible
2.5’ HDD
1. Same model Number
2. Same PCB version

hitachi-pcb-compatible

Then we must do NV repair, then the drive would work well. (Reference NVRAM Repair case)

3.5″ HDD
Just request the same model number, but after PCB changed, we need to do DYNAMIC REPAIR.

Head compatible
1. Same Model Number
2. Same MLC Number

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