I have ST31000324NS which has been looked at by a computer shop, the firmware on the label is SN04 but on UDMA its shown as SD35.

Do you guys think the drive's firmware is not original and has been updated? Maybe PCB is not native?

The drive reach readiness detected correctly but unable to access data with Bad head except h0 , total (h0...h7)
Serial number matched label, Model do not match on label ST31000324NS but on UDMA ST31000340AS, fw on label SN04, SD35 on UDMA.

while cloing got this error message:
RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RNRERR F 27 S D0RNRERR F 27 S D0RNRERR F 27 S 50RNRERR F 27 S 50 RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame F3 T>/1F3 1>N1F3 1> RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RNRERR F 27 S 50RNRERR F 27 S 50 RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame LED:000000EE FAddr:000037F8LED:000000EE FAddr:000037F8RNRERR F 27 S 50 RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestResumeSaveSmartFrame RequestRes

Any help much appreciated.

Without knowing anything about the drives, it seems to me that the ST310003(2)4NS has 2 platters and 4 heads, whereas the ST310003(4)0AS has 4 platters and 8 heads. Both are 3.5" drives (ST3).

This means that the former has double the data density, so one would expect that it is a more recent model.

I would compare the date code on the label with the date codes on the chips. Most manufacturers appear to subscribe to the philosophy of "just-in-time" manufacturing, so I expect that the date codes will be closely matched.

Seagate date code calculator:
http://www.bugaco.com/calculators/seagate_date_code.php

The IC date codes are usually in YYWW or YWW format (year/week).

Upload a detailed photo if you need help with the latter.

Thanks fzabkar , yes the pcb matched the code on the label. Now the drive is clicking, no choice but to exchange head.

thanks

I am not a data recovery professional, merely an observer.

I was only addressing your concerns as to whether the PCB was "native".

I have no idea why the firmware appears mismatched.

Is "ST31000324NS" a typo? I can't find any references to this model number?