Samsung HD321KJ 320g Hard Drive died

[PcKeeper]

Hi Everybody,
I need help on this Samsung hard drive. It died last Monday when I was trying to booted up. The motor doesn't spin up. The bios just can't detect this HD. Read a lot from google.
Tried the freezing method: it helped a little, I could hear the motor spinning up, but followed by not too harsh noise like the head trying to move but got stucked. Then rebooting it again, the motor didn't spin up. I tried freezing twice, each time when fresh out from refrigirator, the motor did come up for this very time.
I am not trying to fix this but get the data back.
Anybody has any sense what the problem might be based on these symptoms. I heard it is really hard to just buy another one and replace parts on it.
Data recovery guy quotes a lot since I have about 30g data need to be recovered. Help please and thanks.
PcK

[networks]

In my opinion the freezer most likely has killed the chance of recovery for good. That is one of the worst things to do to a drive and an absolute last option. More than likely you had head stiction and now the heads are either damaged for sure and possible platter damage now based on your feedback. Maybe someone else will provide other options but at this point it is not diy in my opinion. i think once the cover is removed the damage will be obvious. Just for feedback how long did you leave the drive in the freezer.

[northwind]

In my opinion the freezer most likely has killed the chance of recovery for good.

Totally agree.

That is one of the worst things to do to a drive and an absolute last option.

Kindly disagree. To me it is NOT an option AT ALL.

[BlackST]

I started wondering about this kind of readings if these are (1) fictitious stories or bogus threads purposedly made , or (2) people are more "naive" than we think (bad !) or (3) people don't get informed despite internet is widespread nowadays , or (4) people get informed the wrong way as these urban legends (banging the drives, freezing, cooking, slapping, baking, etc.) overcome the good advice AND COMMON SENSE.
If the problem is genuine, the idea about applying low temperature to the drive was really bad because of some specific issues of the HDxxx . However, to me it is still possible to do something but a lot more diagnose is required BEFORE doing anything else. IF data is not important, bin the drive and sell the PCB (it still has some residual value). I don't see any other FREE option.

[PcKeeper]

Thanks for the replies. I put it in freeze twice for about 8 hours the first time and 4 hours the second time. I don't understand why putting it in freezing kills the HD. Does this damage the data or some other components? It is true that I learned this from internet and worked for many people but failed on my case. I totally have no ideas now. Is it possible to buy another same model and replace the damaged parts?

[BlackST]

If it worked for other people, why not contact them ?

Quote :

Is it possible to buy another same model and replace the damaged parts?

Answer :

Assuming you have the necessary experience and expensive equipment, yes. BUT if the platters are damaged, you cannot replace them as your data is on the pack and.... etc. etc. (sorry too long to explain).

I think it's time to realize that some things are far beyond DIY. This means that if data has little or no importance (i.e. downloaded stuff and things like that) the loss can be accepted, if not, it's not going to cost much more than repairing a problem on a car or fix a boiler or pool in the house.

[jono-ats]

Putting the drive into the freezer won't NECESSARILY kill it, but it might, and so it's not a good idea.

There are some cases -- with older drives -- where some benefit could be achieved sometimes, but IMHO it's not worth the risk. Even so, measure have to be taken to limit the humidity in those cases to an extremely low level. Modern drives have very close tolerances; condensate can build up the platters (or Titanic-like "icebergs"), and the heads -- in any case -- are not designed for water skiing.

The heads can become frozen onto the platters, and when the drive restarts, they can be ripped away. The damaged parts can scratch the platters, and good-bye data.

[PcKeeper]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I didn't realize that a hard disk can be that fragile. it looks like it still has a tiny chance to get the data as long as the plotter is still good. I'll be really cautious when DIY it and then may ask for a pro if my hands can't get it work.

[fzabkar]

See this discussion on freezing:
geek-squad-t20957.html

The contention is that condensation does not in fact form on the platters, even at extreme temperatures. In fact Hitachi's Endurastar has an operating temperature range of -30ºC to +85ºC.

[BlackST]

This is a HD321KJ from Samsung not an Hitachi Endurastar.

Samsung in the leaflet shipped with each drive says also why "very hot, very cold or very high humidity environments" (verbatim) MUST be avoided

Wasn't enough trouble what happened by following internet bullshit ?

[fzabkar]

This is a HD321KJ from Samsung not an Hitachi Endurastar.

Samsung in the leaflet shipped with each drive says also why "very hot, very cold or very high humidity environments" (verbatim) MUST be avoided

Wasn't enough trouble what happened by following internet bullshit ?

There is no need to use foul language.

I would never freeze a drive. I was merely pointing out that there is clear evidence, and a substantial body of opinion, that suggests that condensation does not form at sub-zero temperatures.

Moreover, here is Samsung's T166 Product Data Sheet:
http://www.samsung.com/global/system/bu ... Rev2.1.pdf

Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 60 °C
Non-operating Temperature: -40 ~ 70 °C

I'm assuming that the OP did not operate his drive while it was in the freezer. Even so, I believe Doomer stated that he had successfully operated a certain desktop (?) drive at -20C.

[BlackST]

Oh ... in fact the point is operating a drive JUST AFTER TAKING OUT FROM THE FREEZER ("each time when fresh out from the refrigirator" ...)

Obviously accoding to the "freezer trick" bull... ehm, theory , there would be no use about freezing, let it reach room temperature and trying again to resurrect the died drive.

[jono-ats]

@ fzabkar:

Take a scrap hard drive and put it in the freezer. Take it out and remove the cover. Turn it on and watch.

[fzabkar]

@ fzabkar:

Take a scrap hard drive and put it in the freezer. Take it out and remove the cover. Turn it on and watch.

AIUI, removing the cover would result in condensation.

[jono-ats]

Drives are not completely sealed to the atmosphere, so some degree of condensation is possible either way.

Certainly more so if you open the drive . . .