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Fujitsu, M1638TAU drive family
Malfunction signs: The spindle motor does not start
The connection scheme of VCM (Voice Coil Motor) & SPM (Spindle Motor) controller is practically identical for the following drive families: M1614TAU, M1638TAU, MPA30xxAT, MPB30xxAT and MPC30xxAT.
VCM&SPM controller regulates 3-phase motor; it is programmed by the MB9004 processor produced by Fujitsu. There are three modes of spindle motor control: start mode, acceleration mode and stable rotation mode. In the start mode at power-up Power Monitor (MP3771) sends a “reset” signal to the microprocessor (MB9004) and the VCM & SPM controller. Microprocessor uses a serial channel to program internal registers of VCM & SPM controller for a start and charges the pump capacitor of the controller using the “Charge pump” signal. Charge volume determines the current which will flow to the spindle motor. As soon as the start-up capacitor is charged sufficiently the microprocessor programs SPM controller for a start mode, then ~ 1,3А current flows to the spindle motor. Controller generates phase switching signals. The spindle motor at that begins rotation generating self-induced EMF. The controller detects EMF and notifies the microprocessor about that; the latter uses the signal for rotation control. In the acceleration mode the microprocessor speeds up phase switching and measures spindle motor rotational speed until it reaches 5400 RPM. When the speed is reached the controller switches to stable rotation. In that mode microprocessor calculates the time required for one spindle motor revolution on the basis of the phase signal and adjusts the rotational speed charging or discharging the pump capacitor. Adjustment control (charge/discharge) is performed every 1/6 spindle revolution.
The complexity of diagnostics is determined by the fact that SPM controller monitors EMF generated during spindle rotation and at an attempt of spindle spin-up it makes just 2 – 3 phase switches which are difficult to track using oscilloscope. If the spindle does not begin rotation (for whatever reason) the controller, as a rule, either switches off or retries its attempt after some time. Thus, if you use a regular oscilloscope, you can see only presence of pulses falling within a certain range, which is insufficient for complete diagnostics. In an ideal case we would recommend using 3-channel oscilloscope with memory function operating in the automatic recorder mode. Probably such device is not really commonplace. Therefore it is possible just to check the presence of pulses for motor phases.
VCM & SPM controller is a quite reliable microchip and it rarely goes out of order. More frequently a spindle motor does not start because of other malfunctions. Still, if the chip fails such failure is usually caused by overheating with clearly visible traces on chip case. During repair of the start circuit you should check the Stop Spindle signal from the MB3771 chip. The signal forces parking of magnetic heads and stops the spindle motor with keys Q8 and Q9. Active level of that signal in the parking mode is “1”, in the operational drive mode it is “0”. If a spindle motor begins to spin up you can check the operation of output keys of HA13525A chip controlling phase signal with oscilloscope. To do so select 10 ms/div sweep with 2V/div amplification (it is advisable to use the 1:10 multiplier). A phase may be diverted by a disrupted Q8 or Q9 key. HA13525A and HA13525B chips are compatible from top downward, i.e. in models belonging to the M1638TAU and MPA drive families both of those chips can be used. In MPB and MPC drive families only HA13525B is allowed.
Manufacturer: Fujitsu, drive families: MPB, MPC
Malfunction signs: A drive begins to detect a higher own capacity than the actual rated value, the so-called “megalomania”.
That malfunction is quite frequent in the above-mentioned drive families; it is caused by corruption of firmware in Flash ROM chip on the control board of the drive. Those drive families employ Flash ROM chips using 64К structure based on 16-bit words, programming voltage is 5 or 12 V, package type is PLCC44.
Elimination of that malfunction requires just reprogramming of Flash chip by recording a known good firmware of the corresponding version. Version number in Fujitsu drives is indicated in the lower right corner of the label over HDA below bar code and it looks like: xyy-zzzz, where x –means the month when the drive was manufactured in hexadecimal notation, yy – means version prefix and zzzz – means the actual firmware version, e.g.: С02-2009. For version compatibility in MPB and MPC drive families just the actual version match is sufficient, the prefix and month of manufacture are not important.
Manufacturer: Fujitsu, MPG3xxxAT/AH drive family
Malfunction signs: Quite unexpectedly for user and user data a drive is no longer identified in PC BIOS.
We should note that this very drive model has broken all records of failures, which happen in most cases after a year of operation, just after completion of the warranty period. The main cause of the malfunction was in the Cirrus Logic CL-SH8671-450E chip. It can hardly be replaced with a working chip because those microcircuits were produced for a special Fujitsu order and the manufacture of that drive family was discontinued long ago. However, there is a method of “revival” and “revitalizing” a malfunctioning chip which allows extending HDD life a little. However, if you ignore drive “hangings” and do not take due steps (at least backup valuable data) the table of S.M.A.R.T. logs in firmware zone will be gradually overfilled and the drive will additionally corrupt its modules in firmware zone, which cannot be restored without specialized software.
One of the versions explaining the cause of problems with those chips is the use of a new polymer compound during production of chip case. The compound decomposes under the influence of increased temperature in humid conditions producing phosphoric acid. But it is just a version; we may never learn whether it is so or not. However, one thing is known for sure: if you unsolder that chip, remove old solder from its pins and contact pads on the board, flush the location for the chip and then solder it back the drive will begin to work properly.
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HDD Printed circuit board (PCB) with board number 100743767 is usually used on these Seagate hard disk drives: ST6000DX000, Z4D, TK, PN 1H217Z-300, FW CC45, Seagate 6TB SATA 3.5″ Hard Drive; ST6000DX000, Z4D, TK, PN 1H217Z-300, FW CC48, Seagate 6TB SATA 3.5″ Hard Drive; ST5000NM0084, Z4D, TK, PN 1HT17X-039, FW BB63, IBM 5TB SATA 3.5″…
S.M.A.R.T.
Self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology. A technology to assist users in preventing system down time due to hard drive failure; it attempts to predict hard drive failure before it occurs.
Safe Shutdown™
A WD-exclusive feature that ensures all data is transferred before shutting down the drive.
SAS
Serial Attached SCSI. A point-to-point serial interface that links controllers directly to hard drives. Unlike traditional parallel SCSI, SAS allows up to 128 devices of different sizes and types to be connected simultaneously with longer, thinner cables. SAS drives can also be hot-plugged.
SATA
Serial advanced technology attachment. A standard for connecting hard drives to computer systems, based on serial signaling technology. Its practical advantages over PATA (also known as EIDE) are longer and thinner cables for more efficient airflow within a form factor, fewer pin conductors for reduced electromagnetic interference, and lower signal voltage to minimize noise margin.
SCA-2
(Single Connector Attach) interface incorporates a grounding contact, blindmate connector, direct plug misalignment tolerance, The number of errors of a given type that occur when reading a specified number of bits. Protection, hot swap capability, and backplane connector options for SCSI devices. SCA-2 is commonly called the 80-pin SCSI connector.
SCAM
SCSI configure automatically. Allows users to attach SCSI devices without worrying about configuration options.
SCSI
Small computer system interface. An interface between a computer and peripheral controllers, commonly used in enterprise computing and Macintosh systems. Pronounced scuzzy.
SCSI device
A host computer adapter, peripheral controller, or intelligent peripheral that can be attached to a SCSI bus.
sector
A 512-byte packet of data. This is the smallest amount of data that can be read from or written to a drive from a host interface.
sector slipping
A technique used to push down defective sector sites during a format or reassignment operation to maintain sequential order of the data. Spares are located throughout the disk for this purpose.
SecureConnect™
WD’s SATA cable connection system designed to provide a stable, secure attachment between a hard drive and a cable.
SecurePark™
Parks the recording heads off the disk surface during spin up, spin down and when the drive is off. This ensures the recording head never touches the disk surface resulting in improved long term reliability due to less head wear and improved shock tolerance.
seek
The movement of read/write heads to a specified location. The actuator moves heads to the cylinder containing the track and sector of stored data.
seek time
A measure (in milliseconds) of how fast a hard drive can move its read/write heads to a specific location.
sequential access
The reading or writing of data in a sequential order as opposed to random access. Magnetic tape drives store data in sequential blocks.
server
A computer used primarily to store data, providing access to shared resources. Usually contains a network operating system.
servo burst
Provides positioning information to the actuator arm, found at equal intervals on each disk surface (embedded servo) or on an entire surface (dedicated servo).
share
A folder that can be used to organize and store files on a network storage system. Shares can be shared with everyone (public) or with selected users on your network (private).
Shock Guard™
WD technology to protect the drive mechanics and delicate platter surface from shocks, both when it’s in use and when it’s not.
ShockShield™
WD packaging that provides double protection from rough handling and static damage. A protective wrapping that consists of a static protection envelope securely packed inside a plastic case.
SilkStream™
WD AV feature that provides for smooth, continuous digital video playback of multiple simultaneous hard drive streams.
single-ended SCSI
The standard electrical interface for SCSI. Single-ended means an interface with one signal and one corresponding ground line for each SCSI signal. Used primarily in applications requiring cable lengths under 19 feet (6 meters).
Slave
The secondary drive in a dual-drive configuration.
SmartPower™
Intelligent drive management system that automatically powers a device on and off with the computer.
SMB
Server Message Block. File-sharing protocol for Windows platform that allows users to access shares through My Network Places. Mac OS X or later also supports the SMB protocol.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Standard for transferring e-mail across the Internet.
soft error
An error that is not repeated when the same location is re-read.
soft reset
ATA reset type in which the drive resets the interface circuitry according to the Set Features command requirement.
soft sectored
A technique that allows a controller to determine the beginning of a sector by reading format information from a disk.
SoftSeek™
A WD algorithm used with WhisperDrive™ technology to deliver the quietest 2.5-inch hard drive on the market.
sound power
A value measured using 8-12 microphones which represents the sound level emitted from the entire hemispherical area surrounding the drive. Because sound power more closely corresponds to the sound level detected by the human ear, it is used as the industry standard for measuring hard drive acoustics.
sound pressure
A value representing the sound level emitted by a hard drive from a single point. Only one microphone is used to measure sound pressure.
spanned
Combination of drives in a linear fashion to create one large logical volume. A spanned drive is like a single, bigger drive, in that files written to the volume earlier go at the "beginning" of the volume, on the first physical drive. If one of the drives fails, all data is lost.
SPC
SCSI Primary Commands.
spindle
The center, rod-like axle on which disks are mounted.
spindle motor
A motor that rotates a spindle and ultimately the disks.
spindle speed
See RPM.
spindle synchronization
In multiple-drive systems, a feature that causes SCSI hard drives to rotate to the same address location at the same time.
SSA
SSC
Spread Spectrum Clocking. Feature that controls electromagnetic interference output in hard drives.
SSH
Secure Shell. A network protocol that uses encryption and authentication keys to enable two devices on the network to exchange data securely.
SSL
Secure Socket Layer. A protocol that provides authentication and encryption services between a web server and a web browser.
StableTrac™
The motor shaft of the hard drive is secured at both ends to reduce system-induced vibration and stabilize platters for accurate tracking during read and write operations.
storage capacity
The amount of data that can be stored on a hard drive.
streaming media
Media such as audio, video, and photos that are constantly received while being delivered by a streaming provider.
striping
The spread of data over multiple hard drives to improve performance. See also RAID 0.
structure-borne acoustics
When mounted in a digital device, the hard drive generates additional noise as a result of vibration. This type of noise, caused by the hard drive’s proximity to other system components, is referred to as structure-borne acoustics.
subsystem
A secondary or component part of a system, as a hard drive is a subsystem of a personal computer.
surface
The top or the bottom side of a platter coated with a magnetic material required to record data. A platter may use one or both surfaces to store data.
synchronous transmission
Transmission in which the sending and receiving devices operate continuously at the same frequency and are held in a desired phase relationship by a correction device.
system files
The files required to run an operating system.
system integrator
An independent professional who specifies and provides the necessary combinations of hardware and software in response to end user needs.
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