Anyone use the DTI Base Replace tool?

[loki]

Hi,

Has anyone bought or used the DTI Base Replace for Seagate hdd with seized or snapped spindle motors?

http://www.dtidata.com/basereplace.htm

Is it something you could make & addapt for other makes of hdd?


Thanks

Loki

[northwind]

I own it. Have not actually used it yet (will do, soon).

I don't think it can be adapted to other brands, because it has a piece of plastic frame which is cut for seagates.

[loki]

Hi northwind,

Would you say its worth the money? Its a lot cheaper than the hddsurgery tool
Just deciding if its worth a punt at getting it


Loki

[pcimage]

I don't think it can be adapted to other brands, because it has a piece of plastic frame which is cut for seagates.

Correct.

It appears to be only for Seagate 7200.11 (and possibly .12). Cannot be used on .10 due to it relying on the head stack being fixed by a screw underneath, rather than screwed from the top.

[loki]

They say its worked on the following:

ST31500341AS
ST31000333AS
ST31000340AS
ST3500630AS - 7200.10
ST31000528AS - 7200.12
ST31000340AS - 7200.11
ST3250310NS - ES.2
ST31500541AS – Barracuda LP

[pcimage]

Can't see how it would work on a 7200.10, unless there's a different method not mentioned in the manual.

But can't say I looked particularly hard as I don't have issues with platter swapping these anyway

[northwind]

Loki,

I have tried to work this on a 7200.10, but as pcimage says it didn't work for me, as the head stack wouldn't go away (due to screw on top).

I am waiting for a replacement base and i will give it a try on two .11 and i will let you know.

Comparing it to Nikola's tool, well, it is less sophisticated and i guess it needs a lot of experience, but if it works, it would be some $ well spent.

I 'll let you know.

[loki]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply

Loki

[hddrepair-tech]

Base Replace works best on seized Seagate hard drives where the read write
heads are screwed by the bottom of the hard drive assembly mostly 7200.11

Although it is possible to use the same tool on seized Seagate drives that have the heads screwed into the base via a screw on the top of
the read write head assembly, it does require the heads to be removed first before using the tool.

Note that 7200.10 model drives do not lose head alignment removing the heads first.

With that said we are pleased to announce a second revision of Base Replace that is
designed specifically for drives with the head screws installed on the top of the head assembly.
Targeting 7200.10 and some previous revisions.


This is not a single new model that does both they are two different scenarios requiring to different revisions of the tool.
The original Base Replace and the second revision


Base replace V2 is now available... it is the same concept as the
first but has adjusted screw holes and the ability to remove the heads with the tool in place.

The long and short: Yes, the existing Base Replace can work on 7200.10 drives but the heads need to be removed first.
However, we have made a second revision to specifically address 7200.10 drives and previous revisions.

COST

$399.00 per item purchased separately

$699.00 for a set

$199.00 for previous purchased customers

Due to be available online in the next few days

Kind regards
the dtidata team

[northwind]

I have tried it on two 7200.11 and it works pretty good. You need to be EXTREMELY careful when you remove the base (before you replace it with the new one) because the contact seal gets stuck to patient base and when you lift it, if you're not VERY careful and if you don't help it move away from base, bye-bye patient heads. I already damaged two sets of heads. My mistake, when i was very careful on this step all went well.

[FrankITO]

Is the worse tool ever. I bought one of these and is a piece of crap.

The worse thing is the support, they never answer the emails, so you are alone.

Seriously, never buy this piece of shit if you dont want to loose your money.

Will show you soon images about the "tool".

[fzabkar]

I was curious, so I visited DTI Data's web site. I found the following "whitepaper":

HOW TO CHOOSE A DATA RECOVERY COMPANY AND THE DECLINE OF STANDARDS WITHIN THE DATA RECOVERY COMMUNITY (2006):
http://web.archive.org/web/200611030447 ... choice.pdf
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... choice.pdf

The truth is there are about 5 to 10 real data recovery companies in the United States [in 2006].

Presumably these would be ...

Kroll Ontrack
Seagate
http://www.dtidata.com
plus 2 or 7 others

Is there a solution? Amongst creditable data recovery companies there has been a call for credentials. We at dtidata.com endorse this call and hope to help establish any type of agency to provide minimum standards necessary to become part of an endorsed community.

I checked the Wayback Machine. Apparently DTI Data goes back at least as far as 1999:
http://web.archive.org/web/200002291046 ... idata.com/

Apparently there were many facets to their original business model:

Free Email
Dating
Shopping
Motor Clubs
Travel
Business Opportunities
Web Page Design
Sports

http://web.archive.org/web/200002291412 ... artner=AOW

It's been over a year now, but after nearly 14 years of waiting, I am linked, body and soul, to my partner for life!

I was eager to see what they had in their "Downloads" link ...

http://web.archive.org/web/200002291046 ... ducts.html

... but the Wayback Machine didn't know what to make of it:

Eh? Sorry, that doesn't look like an valid URL.

[thatdellguy]

I hate see a good tool bad mouthed by amateurs. We have used base replace for over 50 platter transplants with great success. Its not a tool for the unskilled. There is zero need for support because the tool is simple and straight forward. Your obviously doing something wrong. If you seriously need support for this tool then maybe DR is not for you.

[pcimage]

I hate see a good tool bad mouthed by amateurs. We have used base replace for over 50 platter transplants with great success. Its not a tool for the unskilled. There is zero need for support because the tool is simple and straight forward. Your obviously doing something wrong. If you seriously need support for this tool then maybe DR is not for you.

I have to say I agree, have used the tool on many many occasions and it works fine

[northwind]

I hate see a good tool bad mouthed by amateurs. We have used base replace for over 50 platter transplants with great success. Its not a tool for the unskilled. There is zero need for support because the tool is simple and straight forward. Your obviously doing something wrong. If you seriously need support for this tool then maybe DR is not for you.

+1

[sknopp]

Bought the product about a month ago and it worked very well. I would say that the value in the tool is probably split evenly between the actual tool AND the documented process/workbook.

[mr_spokk]

I have it, and it workes well....BUT as in every hard case you'll need to let it takes time.

[HDD Spaz]

it's not so much a tool but more of a process. Anyone can cut some Perspex.

[hhddrec]

Can you send Pics from Tool?

I do not know this tools and i would like to see it.

[Russwinters]

None of the tools are needed, it's always the process and the technique. The tools like this just help a little in some ways, but again...totally not needed.

Practice makes perfect.