Hard drive is now fixed and operational To fix the LED:000000CE FAddr:00280569 error i got i just waited about 30 secs before pressing enter after typing Z in step 3: As for what went wrong in the first place: After screwing the PCB back and attempting this step i noticed that after pressing CTRL+Z hyperterminal returned to the F3 T prompt not the F3 2 one. I don't know if that is what is supposed to happen, since i' m a total newbie in using hyperterminal, but the direct guide here isn't very clear on that.So i just typed /2 again and that took me to the F3 2 prompt. After that i followed the rest of the instructions. I used the motor contacts method. I just removed the screw on the motor contacts and isolated them using a small paper card. The cable i used was this one, in case anyone in the EU can't find a working cable. Installed and worked perfectly under windows 7. I also used a small breadboard and some male-male and female-female jumpers to connect everything together. I only had to remove the small plastic bit on the end of the female-female jumpers because it wouldn't fit inside the small space where the hard drive sata pins are. I then covered the metal bits with some plastic tape for insulation. Once again thanks everyone involved in making this thread and this guide!