ALL,
(Forum Newbie) I have a 500 GB Lacie Porsche HD that crapped the bed on me when my co-worker knocked it onto the floor. “Click O’ Death” (350 GB of 13 years of military stuff, family photos, and generally important info IN LIMBO) Soooo… I had a "Specialist" look at it and they said they couldn't repair it (Needed to swap the platters). I am mechanically adept and through desperation I took this thing apart. The heads were twisted, but the platters look surprisingly good. However the “Specialist” left fingerprints on the top platter. Is that bad?
So I took them out to check both sides of each platter to make sure they weren't smoked. (Bad mistake or so I read since I apparently misaligned them due to ignorance of the cylinder writing process, this was AFTER the next sentence) So I go and buy a super-similar (HD Seagate 500GB) same specs because the original has been discontinued, (Lacie Porche 500GB) they look identical inside; circuit boards almost identical, spindle circum same, platters same width/size, same RPM, voltage, amps, ect. Well after feeling better that it may be possible to do a Mexican heart transplant with these two, I do more research before I go ahead and try this tomorrow morning and find out about keeping the platters aligned, to my SHEER HORROR, but hey I don't have $900 - $3,900 (DiskSavers) to get back my data. Sooooo….
(Both of the following questions fall under the understanding that the greatest care and cleanliness will be used in this process to not damage the heads and circuits, i.e. static discharge, dust, fingerprints, ect.)
My 1st Question: Can I place the (now misaligned) individual platters from the bad drive into the new drive to read them individually and then bring each platter's info back together and/or is there a method to realign them properly into the new drive or just put them in and hope for the best?
My 2nd Question: The new drive I bought hasn’t been used yet, so if the attempt of data recovery for the damaged drive is a failure, will I have to keep the new drive’s platters aligned while they are out, or can I just slap them back in to use for the first time?
I have limited time and fewer resources to get this done. (By 19 Feb 08) I have all the tools already since I’ve successfully modded Xbox’s and whatnot. (Definitely doesn’t make me an expert) But I will move forward in trying this transplant (Gamble), but any tips or advice from knowledgeable experts would be greatly appreciated. (However after talking with several experts, they said it might work, but seemed not to have any experience with this)
V/R
TSgt Tanner, USAF Academy.
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