Platter alignment

[quasimodo]

I have two drives from the same client. Both have been monkeyed with by a computer tech.
First thing I noticed was dust on the top platter. Also head crash. I removed the dust particles and replaced the heads. I tested PCB and both are functioning. I think that the computer tech may have removed the platters and lost the alignment. Neither one of the drives becomes ready. Is there a rather quick way for me to determine if the alignment has been lost?
what happens first drive calibration or reading of SA?

FYI, The two drives are WD and Samsung.

Thanks

[quasimodo]

calling out the Guru's...

any help?

Thanks!

[N.C.]

PM sent.

[pepe]

How can u tell that after the head replacement the WD has no head misalignment problem?

pepe

[quasimodo]

PM sent.

Dear Janos,

I want to find a way to test if the platters are out of alignment. If that is the case, then I will no longer waist my time with the drive. At that point I would not have a problem with recommending you to the client.

How can u tell that after the head replacement the WD has no head misalignment problem?

pepe

Dear Pepe,

I checked head alignment under the Microscope.


Thanks for the replies.

[quasimodo]

Maybe I should ref-raise the question.

What are the typical symptoms experienced if platters are having alignment problems?

[N.C.]

if you can show the samsung's terminal log, i can tell you.
But on WD this is a little bit more complicated.

If pepe lets it to me to say that, we are not sure about your solution about the WD head alignment checking.

Janos

[quasimodo]

Ok,

after breaking the alignment on several good Samsung drives and re-aligning them, I am pretty sure that the platter alignment of the Samsung drive has been tampered with. At this point there is nothing I can do with the drive. Janos, I have no problem recommending you to the client if you think you may have a chance of success. Just PM me the contact info. Just out of curiosity, do you attempt to read out the signals? As for the WD, I have no Idea. It's about time that Western Digital joins the crowd and provide terminal output. That would make live much easier ...alignment, I use a multi step process, the Microscope is just to determine if the heads are out of alignment. It has worked well for me so far, but maybe you have a better solution. let's talk on pm or messenger.

[N.C.]

ok, i will be out in holiday for 4 days, but after i come, i will send you a PM...

[quasimodo]

Still trying to figure out how to identify alignment issues on WD.


Any takers for the question?

Thanks!