Swop platters - Project - Any tips would be welcome

[Archive_mfast]

Changing platters on IBM 20GB Travelstar.

I am not going to ask for any secret knowledge,
but anyone who provides tips will share in this project.


I have two identical 20GB Travelstar drives.

One has a damaged head / heads and does not recal. the surface appears undamaged
One is in perfect order.

The project is to remove the platters from the faulty drive
and insert them into the working drive.

All the work will be carried out in the cleanest possible environment
with current limitations. i.e. I do not have a clean room.


1. - I have employed an expert to manufacture precision jigs to remove the platters. The intention is not to touch the head assembly at all.

2. - I will remove the platters from the good drive.

3. - I will replace the removed platters back into the good drive to test if the process is feasible.

4. - Step three will be repeated three times to test if all is still well with the good drive.

If step 4 is successful I will approach the faulty drive and remove the platters from this drive and insert them into the good drive.

Any comments / advice will be welcomed

[Archive__ww_]

3. - I will replace the removed platters back into the good drive to test if the process is feasible.

(Sorry for bad english) Maybe some try's required to make drive working, what about platters centring?

[Archive_mfast]

Hi _ww_.

Yes, this is the big issue.

We are progressing very slowly with a way to overcome this problem and get the centering exact.

Also - the relative rotation between the platters when they are re-inserted should be critical.


Thanks for your contribution.

[Archive_guru]

Changing platters on IBM 20GB Travelstar.

I am not going to ask for any secret knowledge,
but anyone who provides tips will share in this project.


I have two identical 20GB Travelstar drives.

One has a damaged head / heads and does not recal. the surface appears undamaged
One is in perfect order.

The project is to remove the platters from the faulty drive
and insert them into the working drive.

All the work will be carried out in the cleanest possible environment
with current limitations. i.e. I do not have a clean room.


1. - I have employed an expert to manufacture precision jigs to remove the platters. The intention is not to touch the head assembly at all.

2. - I will remove the platters from the good drive.

3. - I will replace the removed platters back into the good drive to test if the process is feasible.

4. - Step three will be repeated three times to test if all is still well with the good drive.

If step 4 is successful I will approach the faulty drive and remove the platters from this drive and insert them into the good drive.

Any comments / advice will be welcomed

Don't try platter exchange. Very very easy to swap heads on these drives.!!! Just make a jig for head removal.. I made my jig from a CD and some glue!

[Archive__ww_]

Yes, this is the big issue.

I try platter centring 2 times, one on quantum lct10, another on fujitsu mpd, both succeed, but with lots of f*ck :( IMHO it's more good luck, than purposely received result :)

[Archive_mfast]

Hi Guru

Don't try platter exchange.

Yes, I agree.

In the real event this is what must happen.

We want to see if it can be done the difficult way

thanks

[Archive_mfast]

Hello _ww_

.... but with lots of f*ck IMHO it's more good luck, than purposely received result

I am sure you succeeded by using skill to reduce the amount of luck needed.

Right now we have not even removed the platters from a test drive - until the precision jig has been made.

Maybe we will find that the platters are too difficult to replace precisely - maybe we can get it right. ???

Thanks