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Question

Damaged micro usb (soldered) on WD Elements SE 1TB External.

Mar 10, 2012 8:45AM PST

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,
http://obrazki.elektroda.pl/7853506200_1303823762.jpg
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa362/Jaganmohan_p/WD02.jpg

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.

The micro usb is damaged.

Solutions
1) Get professionals to do a data recovery but that is too expensive. And there is a good link here showing you how you could by pass the micro usb and wired the PCB.
http://www.datarecoverytools.co.uk/2010/05/05/how-to-connect-and-recover-usb-only-western-digital-drives-with-hd-doctor-suite/

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.

- - -

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.

Here is an image,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Types-usb_new.svg

I have a house mate who is a PhD in electrical engineering. He could do all the soldering for me.
But is there anything I need to tell him so he could be aware of when he is swapping out the damaged micro usb?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Repairs
Mar 10, 2012 11:52PM PST

Why should you need to tell a PhD in engineering how to solder, etc.. Just supply the part and and show where it needs to be done at, should be it. Hopefully, that person should provide the talent and where for all to get this done. As for parts, any decent probably online electronics part source should do if they deal with the general public. Otherwise, you need access to other broken items(cell phones?) that offer a similar plug. Of course, catalog pictures make this easier, just match to your needs and it appears to be micro-B socket. Checkout link below:

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts-kws/usb-2-0-micro-b-connector
http://ntcdistributing.com/products/usb-connectors.htm

good luck -----Willy Happy

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Solution.
Mar 12, 2012 12:58PM PDT

Hey guys,

Good news!
My housemate has managed to get the data off from the drive by soldering fine gauge electrical wires to the individual prongs in the micro usb. Those has to be some mad skills given the fact that micro usb is the smallest among all.

The next thing I will do is to fix the external drive.
I will need to see if my housemate has an idea for that.

Will update.

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Good show
Mar 12, 2012 10:45PM PDT

Glad it was done to your liking. Yeah, small stuff makes for an interesting task. One reason I refrain as these "SMC" stuff makes for mistakes. enjoy the success -----Willy Happy

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Answer
Helpful links
Mar 12, 2012 8:37PM PDT