Dropped Seagate 7200.11 - Can it be fixed?

[code23]

I knocked my 1TB Seagate 7200.11 off the desk while it was on and since then the drive isn't recgonised by the PC. First thing I did was remove it from the extrernal case and plug it in directly - this results in a motor hum (i assume?) every 3-4 secs - the platter does not spin. No clicking sound is heard.

So at this point I've not tried the drive again, done some research and now i'm here

The data on the drive is not massively important to me, but would be nice to try and retrive it if possible. Looking on these forums data recovery from a pro is going to cost £500+ and the data is just not worth that.

So now i'd like to know from anyone who's had success with this drive and getting that platter to manually start for maybe 30-40 mins so I can grab the data before it dies completely.

Any advice?

Many thanks!
James

[harddrivespecialist]

So now i'd like to know from anyone who's had success with this drive and getting that platter to manually start for maybe 30-40 mins so I can grab the data before it dies completely.

James

If that would be that easy, data recovery would not cost a lot.
Either get yourself a new drive and move on or start saving money for data recovery.

You have yourself a seized spindle of the drive.

[pcimage]

Sorry to say there is nothing you can do yourself on this case, the spindle is seized solid.

Even for most pros this is a difficult case, and anyone that can do it would charge more than £500.

So I guess it's RMA time if you can't afford/warrant professional help on this one, sorry.

[code23]

Thanks guys - its not really a case of not affording the cost - its just the data isn't worth anything to me. I've already bought a new drive so the old one is either going to be binned or try something (anything) that might work.

What I was hoping to try is some tricks to get this spindle running one last time. Now I know some people have had results with getting a seized spindle running with a bit of brute force (like this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHNaiuwceAk) - so was hoping someone who had tried this might be able to offer some advice.

I do realize theres a 99.9% chance of nothing working here - but I might be fun trying something as the drive would be going in the bin anyway.

Thanks
James

[Alexii]

Platter transplant or bearing transplant. On a very rare ocasion u can open the drive and manualy spin the spindle into submision. spining it back and forth to get it over the holding hump. However in most sittuation this will end up with wobling platters. Not to mention the fact that its dangerous opening the drive in non clean room enviroment.

[quasimodo]

Platter transplant or bearing transplant. On a very rare ocasion u can open the drive and manualy spin the spindle into submision. spining it back and forth to get it over the holding hump. However in most sittuation this will end up with wobling platters. Not to mention the fact that its dangerous opening the drive in non clean room enviroment.

Imho, on a 1TB drive chances of freeing the spindle without expert assistance are as good as 0%

[Alexii]

i agree with u. Chances are close to 0.

[code23]

Alexii - well I might as well give this a go - like I said the data isn't worth the cost of getting it professionally extracted - i'm interested in the tricks now

I've heard of this on my searching and seems some people have had results with this forcing of the platter. Have you done it yourself? Any more advice before I pull it apart? I realize I have one stab at this due to contamination so the more advice I can source the better!

Thanks for the feedback so far

[BlackST]

@ Code 23,

- A pro doesn't go by trial and error with data. We don't have time to loose and customers have no data to loose.
- The wheel has been already invented.
- Forcing a seized motor even if it can "free" it , will give other problems. You'll discover it if the drive will survive...
- If you have already seen the videos and heard about these things, why ask here ? Ask the people who had results (if you can). In my stats, things went differently. I have another opinion and use other ways that gives always 100% results, but it's me.

[code23]

@ BlackST - you're a miserable bugger aren't ya! Hah

[zebong]

if you try to force the spin, you will get a problem with the alignment / noises in the plates.

[networkpc3000]

i agree with u. Chances are close to 0.

yeah. this operation no easy as he think

[BlackST]

@ BlackST - you're a miserable bugger aren't ya! Hah

...but I can fix it by myself in 1 hour and I know my stuff for sure. And you ?

[guru]

code23 if you have nothing to lose go fo it. If it keeps you busy and stops you watching Eastenders :O)

If all else fails you can turn it into a speaker and play star wars death march!"

[unknown]

Or a MONEYBOX to save your money in.

[code23]

Ok thanks guys

@ BlackST - i'm only joking with you - the reason i'm here is I have no idea about hard-drives - and I know alot of experts use this forum. I've read about the tricks, but before trying anything I wanted to get the opinions of the guys "in the know" - thus my post.

I was just interested in hearing about results as I know a member here sells a tool to help with just this problem

@ guru - no way i'm missing EastEnders for this