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Thread ID: 123697	2012-03-12 01:20:00	Damaged micro usb (soldered) on WD Elements SE 1TB External.	vennsoh (16720)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1264434	2012-03-12 01:20:00	Hi guys, I have a problem with my WD Elements 1TB. The product number is WDBABV0010BBK-00. The SATA is WD10TMVV. I have found some images online. This is how it looks, obrazki.elektroda.pl i1194.photobucket.com My problem The micro usb that is soldered on to the PCB is damaged. The external drive is working all good and okay until one day I realize I could not plug in my cable to the micro usb port. Solutions 1) Get professionals to do a data recovery but that is too expensive. 2) Get a new micro usb and replace it. I will go with this. Do let me know if this is not feasible. I do realize the micro usb on Western Digital is slightly different. There is this black color, 2 holes thingy underneath it. 3) Are there any good computer, hardware repair shops in Auckland that could fix this? - - - However before I start anything, I need to know what micro usb to buy. I did a bit of research and if I am not mistaken, I think I need a Micro-B. Do you know where could I buy electronic spare parts in Auckland? I will also need to get Torx T6 - 8 screwdrivers. Where could I grab those? I have electrical engineering friends who could do all the soldering work for me. Here is an image of the micro usb. en.wikipedia.org Cheers, Venn.	vennsoh (16720)
1264435	2012-03-12 03:14:00	The big thing is what is under the USB slot. If it is just a Micro-B there should only be 5 connections under the PCB to it. If so the thing with two holes will just be a packer.	mikebartnz (21)
1264436	2012-03-12 04:00:00	Hi mike, Thanks for the reply. Yeap it is just a standard micro usb port. It has 5pins. I have tried the cable with other micro usb ports and it fits and works well. My micro usb port is damaged because the coating that is holding the 5pins have worn off and it leaves the 5 pins standing out there nakedly. So far, none of the computer shops in Auckland that I have approached could fix this problem.	vennsoh (16720)
1264437	2012-03-12 05:07:00	My micro usb port is damaged because the coating that is holding the 5pins have worn off and it leaves the 5 pins standing out there nakedly. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me as they are usually soldered on.	mikebartnz (21)
1264438	2012-03-12 06:25:00	Pull the hard drive out of the case and buy a new generic case that takes a sata drive, simple easy to do and saves all that shagging around with soldering irons	gary67 (56)
1264439	2012-03-12 06:38:00	Solutions 1) Get professionals to do a data recovery but that is too expensive. 2) Get a new micro usb and replace it. I will go with this. Do let me know if this is not feasible. I do realize the micro usb on Western Digital is slightly different. There is this black color, 2 holes thingy underneath it. 3) Are there any good computer, hardware repair shops in Auckland that could fix this? - - - However before I start anything, I need to know what micro usb to buy. I did a bit of research and if I am not mistaken, I think I need a Micro-B. Do you know where could I buy electronic spare parts in Auckland? I will also need to get Torx T6 - 8 screwdrivers. Where could I grab those? I have electrical engineering friends who could do all the soldering work for me. If it were my drive I would buy a new socket and replace it myself, so getting your friend to do it will be the cheapest way, provided he\she actually knows what they're doing. Someone without the correct knowledge, experience and tools could easily ruin the entire thing or do a shoddy repair. You should be able to get a replacement socket from Farnell or RS Components. RS would be better as they have free shipping. I can't tell from those photos you posted if the socket is through-hole or suface-mount - the outer metal shield appears to be through-hole but the internal connectors can't be seen where they connect to the PCB - can you take a photo yourself and show them? The screwdrivers you could buy from Dick-Smith. The 12-Piece "precision screwdriver set" has the Torx drivers you need.	Agent_24 (57)
1264440	2012-03-12 06:40:00	Pull the hard drive out of the case and buy a new generic case that takes a sata drive, simple easy to do and saves all that shagging around with soldering irons +1	KarameaDave (15222)
1264441	2012-03-12 07:03:00	Pull the hard drive out of the case and buy a new generic case that takes a sata drive, simple easy to do and saves all that shagging around with soldering irons If you have a look at the photos it is the HD with the Micro-B connector on it.	mikebartnz (21)
1264442	2012-03-12 07:52:00	It seems that many people are still not aware of Western Digital new line of products. I have to tell you guys again WD has no SATA connectors but only USB. If you do a simple google search, you will be amazed how many people are troubled with their stupid USB-only hard drives. I am not computer illiterate. So if it is as simple as changing enclosure I won't be asking this. mikebartnz: It is possible for you to damage the pins. The only way? Try plugging in the cable with your external drive and put it in your luggage bag. That was how the coating got loosen when the cable bend the pins. Yeap I know your concern about surface mounted or through hole. I will need to separate the PCB from the hard drive to check it out. I have a couple electrical engineering friends who will be doing the soldering work for me. So I guess my external is in good hands. I just thought of another solution for this, I could simply just hard wire the cable to the PCB. It will be permanent but it is the easiest. I will keep you guys updated with the progress and conclusion.	vennsoh (16720)
1264443	2012-03-12 08:08:00	Yea, saw two like this . Carrying the drives without removing the plug is what did it . I tried re-soldering the socket but without success but YMMV . The person had two buggered drives so I removed them and they bought a docking station which has been good for about a year, now .	linw (53)
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