HM501IX

This Samsung HM501IX hard drive (S/N S2AAJ9GB500095) is part of the PCLab donor inventory, kept for data recovery work. Its board carries the number S3M_329_REV.01, which matters when the failure is electronic and the PCB has to be swapped — the ROM must be transferred from the original board.

Donor drives are used when a drive fails mechanically: seized spindle, damaged heads or a burnt board. The work is done in a clean room, and picking the right donor is what decides whether the data comes back. If your Samsung HM501IX is clicking, beeping or is no longer detected, do not open it — talk to the lab first.