Hi Taylor. I just completed this guide and it was not required to disconnect the power and volume ribbon at this step. Both connected ribbon are part of the mid frame.

If you're friend is finally able to get the HD connected to a computer using the original USB/SATA bridge that have its connector broken maybe you can try one of those utility software to restore deleted file. Honestly there is few chance it work if the disk was erased.

Hi Cherisse,

What your computer repair shop probably did was to connect the HD to a desktop computer directly or with another enclosure. Actually this is useless because the USB-SATA bridge used by Wester Digital is somehow encrypting the data. This means that your data will only be readable using the original WD logic board. I hope they did not charge for this?

If you want to restore your data, you have to find a way to connect the logic board USB contacts to a USB port. If the orignal USB connector is broken or can't be used, I would recommend to solder a USB Type A male connector with cable directly on the HD logic board contacts. You can probably recycle this cable from an old device your not using anymore (an hold webcam for exemple). This would require some tools like a solder iron with a very thin tip and maybe a multimeter. Let us know if you need some help to find with wire to connect to which contact.

Thanks Chris for the notice. I have added a warning on your advise. Do you think about any better way to unglue the battery?

I have made this guide based on good quality teardown pictures. I run out of detail pictures for step 3 & 4. Feel free to upgrade the guide if you have a Nexus 5 open and a camera on your hands.

Indeed you can probably technically remove the speaker without removing the battery however removing the battery as soon as possible once you get inside, or before getting inside a device when possible, is not worth! First it prevent from any short circuit that can destroy the device and it is also a way to ensure the device is totally disabled before starting fixing it. Those devices today are always powered even if turned off. So to conclude: Always remove the battery before you make any job inside a device. Do this step in priority as soon as the battery can be removed.

I have made some arrangement to clarify particularly using pictures from the teardown that are just perfect. The original picture was not detailed and did not show the battery in place.

I have made some rearrangement at this guide:

It more logic to remove the tray before removing the screws.

I have used some pictures from the teardown to clarify, particularly for showing the inside of the Nexus 4 showing the battery installed. The original picture did not show the battery. I have also made better reference to the tools.

Yes, you are right! I will have this added shortly.

Thank you.