Date   : Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:05:13 +0000
From   : bbcmicro@... (Wookie)
Subject: Harddisc fakery using a microcontroller

On 29/11/10 15:29, John Kortink wrote:
>
> Don't ditch hard drives that seem to have died just because of
> a powering error (e.g. 12V on the 5V line).
>
> Many drives are protected against this with a 'transil', which
> very quickly shorts the power line to ground if it exceeds the
> expected voltage. Unfortunately, this is a permanent condition.
> But when the transil is removed, the drive will most likely be
> fine. Replacing the transil is sort-of optional, since the drive
> itself will function fine without it.
>
>
> John Kortink
>

What do these "transil's" look like ? and are they on the data lines as 
well ?

Ages ago was using a 3.5" to 2.5" cable to connect a laptop IDE drive to 
a desktop machine and like a idiot I plugged the cable into the laptop 
drive upside down and sent the power into the data pins, bingo one dead 
drive.

Cheers
Wookie

-- 
The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a 
capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety 
labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?