DC HC310 – No Spin-Up, TVS Diode Issue?

If your Toshiba or Western Digital DC HC310 hard drive is not spinning up, it can be alarming—especially if the drive holds important data. One possible cause of this issue is a TVS (Transient Voltage Suppression) diode failure. Understanding what a TVS diode does and how it can affect your drive is key to determining whether it's the culprit—and if it can be fixed.

What Is the DC HC310?

The DC HC310 is part of Western Digital’s data center drive lineup, often branded under HGST or Toshiba,offering high-capacity storage (4TB–10TB) with reliability features tailored for enterprise use. These drives are typically designed for 24/7 operation in RAID or server environments. However, they can also be used in desktops or external enclosures.

No Spin-Up – What Could Be the Cause?

When a hard drive does not spin up, the issue may be:

PCB (Printed Circuit Board) failure

Power supply problems

Firmware corruption

TVS diode damage

Let’s focus on the TVS diode, a common point of failure.

What Is a TVS Diode?

TVS diodes protect the drive’s electronics from power surges or incorrect power supply polarity. They're typically located on the PCB and serve as a sacrificial component: if too much voltage is detected, the diode will short to prevent damage to other components.

Signs of a Failed TVS Diode

If your DC HC310 is not spinning and there's no sound or sign of life, a blown TVS diode may be the issue. Here are typical symptoms:

Drive is completely dead when connected to power

No vibration or spin-up sound

Visible burn mark or discoloration on the PCB

Multimeter test shows short across the TVS diode

Diagnosing and Replacing a TVS Diode

You can test the diode with a digital multimeter set to continuity or diode mode. A good diode should show resistance in one direction only. If the diode is shorted in both directions, it's likely blown.

Caution: Removing the TVS diode can restore power to the drive, but doing so removes surge protection, exposing the drive to future risk.

Steps:

Identify the TVS diode near the SATA power connector (often marked as D5, D6, or similar).

Use a soldering iron to carefully remove the faulty diode.

Try powering the drive again—only briefly and safely, ideally with a surge-protected supply or via a professional lab environment.

If the drive spins up and is detected, back up the data immediately.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you're uncomfortable working with electronics, or if the drive still doesn’t work after removing the diode, do not keep trying. It could indicate deeper PCB failure, ROM chip issues, or internal head/platter problems.

In such cases, consult a professional data recovery service with cleanroom access and PCB repair experience.

Conclusion

A DC HC310 drive that doesn’t spin up may very well suffer from a TVS diode failure, especially after a power surge. While removing a faulty TVS diode can restore functionality, it should be done with care and only as a temporary solution for urgent data recovery. When in doubt, professional help is your safest bet to avoid permanent data loss.