If your primary goal is to recover the data, as opposed to just the challenge of fixing the drive, then there are data recovery services that specialize in recovering data from failed disks like yours. You wouldn't get the satisfaction of fixing the drive, but I think your odds of recovering the data would be higher.

 

Hola RamaD,

Please tell how you managed to find out that. Are you in the HDD business? Interested.

No, not really. I was searching for topside markings of C811. Then tried EBUF and BUF. After a few navigations to wrong components, many of them leading to transistors, stumbled upon this component. On verifying with ST Micro datasheet, the match was there!

 

I would also suggest replacing the power supply unit of the PC where this drive was connected, and not connect it to the same smps even for testing. That is to avoid any damage if the HDD has survived. The fact that 12V Transil is blown, indicates a overvoltage on the rail, which is very likely due to notorious AL caps blowing in the SMPS. There could be even 20V there on the +12V rail, which I found out after blowing a new HDD!