Update: Hard disk recovery

[wraper]

Anyhow, having a quality PSU does guarantee that if wont fry any other components if it goes bad, that much is for sure.

Err.. no, it doesn't.

It does not guarantee but reduces chances of this by orders of magnitude.

[wraper]

Anyhow, having a quality PSU does guarantee that if wont fry any other components if it goes bad, that much is for sure.

Err.. no, it doesn't.

+1. An Enermax PSU took out my MB, CPU and graphics card when it blew...

ChrisH

FYI Enermax as well as other supposedly good companies sell PSUs made by several manufacturers and based on different platforms. Some of the lower end stuff often is not good at all and uses crap components.

[orbanp]

Just a quick update.

Everything seems to be fine!
I did get a new PS, an EVGA430W 80Plus. That was not the cheapest PS this time!
 
I did clone the disk right away, the clone works fine too.  I took out that drive, it is not in the computer.
I will be backing up onto an external WD Passport drive. Hopefully this time I will be doing it more diligently than before.
I left the rescued disk in the computer, I plan to use that one regularly and keep the cloned one. So far so good!

I did get SMD ZTVS diodes, did measure the one that I put in, it works as a 6.5V Zener, so it is the right one.
Here is a picture of the new ZTVS diode together with the old one, it looks a lot more substantial than the one originally installed.

Nothing else got damaged in the computer, both DVD and CD drives/burners works fine.
Still puzzled why only the HDs got damaged. Only thing I can think of that the HDs did not have any electrolytic caps on the power lines! Obviosly that ZTVS diode with the 0 Ohm resistor did not work as overvoltage protection for the transient that I had. Unfortunately I do not know what kind of transient was that killed those drives.

I will also repair the old PS, but so far have not had time.

Again many thanks for all who helped with their valuable suggestions and comments!

Thanks, Peter

[Monkeh]

Still puzzled why only the HDs got damaged.

The HDDs have, as you've seen, significant clamping which took most if not all the energy.