Data Recovery Question

[lump]

I have a failed Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1500 G Bytes. My failed drive diagnosis shows the “read / write heads” stuck to the platters. I have enclosed an image of the hard drive taken in a clean room. My failed drive information:
1. Model Number: ST31500341AS
2. Part Model Number: 9JU138-568
3. Serial Number: 9VS0Q…
4. Firmware: CC3H
5. Site Code: TK
6. Date Code: 09331
I have a Donor Drive I would like to use for the Head Stack Assembly replacement, but have a few questions. I hope some Data Recovery Specialist can help me. The Donor Drive information:
1. Model Number: ST31500341AS
2. Part Model Number: 9JU138-302
3. Serial Number: 9VS21…
4. Firmware: CC1H
5. Site Code: TK
6. Date Code: 09481
According to the Donor Drives Web site, I meet 3 of the 4 criteria.
Hard Drive Match Criteria (for Head Stack Assembly replacement or Platter Swap).
1. Full Model Number
2. Site Code
3. First 3 characters in Serial Number or Full Part Number
4. Firmware
My questions are:
1. Will my donor drive work for the replacement procedure?
2. If not can the Firmware be upgraded to CC3H on my donor drive?
3. Could a PCB swap with matching Firmware work on the donor?
4. Do you know where I could locate an exact match to failed drive?
Any other help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill

Attachments

[Doomer]

spindle is probably seized
never seen sticktion on this model

[BlackST]

+1 and most probably the cause was EXTERNAL

[Nick_CT]

From looking at it I would assume seized because 1) it's a 7200.11 and 2) heads are extremely far away from parking area, would most likely be closer to middle or centre if stiction.

[gtd4242]

I've seen the heads seize to the platter because of the drive losing power during operation, but that is pretty rare...and never with the heads that far out. I'd have to agree with the others in that this is mostly likely a seized spindle. I don't think you'll have a problem with your donor drive working if the heads need replaced, but your biggest obstacle is going to be moving the platters...not an easy task even with the right tools and experience.

[loki]

Another +1 for siezed spindle.

If you dont have the hddsurgery tool http://hddsurgery.com/tool/hdds-spindle ... 7200-10-11
then you might want to look at DTI Base Replace http://www.dtidata.com/basereplace.htm

But practice practice practice first

Loki

[Logical]

I bought these and they work brilliantly well.

http://www.hddsurgery.com/tools/categories/3

Might be of use?

Kind regards

Logical.

[Doomer]

From my experience unstuck tools is not the option for these Seagates
And they often bend the spindle shaft too, probably because of heavy packet

[pclab]

Actually I have the same model on my shop. It was on a external enclosure. Sounds stuck. Let's see if it's heads or spindle.

[pcimage]

spindle is probably seized
never seen sticktion on this model

Agree, NEVER seen stiction on this model.

Very occasionally on 500gb, but 1-2% at most,

[northwind]

i've seen a couple 1tb's with stiction, never a 1,5tb. Anyway it is very easy to find out if it stiction or seized.

[northwind]

regarding OP's original question, the donor you're having is compatible for head swap, but as explained by others previously, there are other obstacles.

[pclab]

My case had one broken head stuck to the platter.
I don't think the client will accept the budget

[pclab]

Oh, and by the way, two 7200.11 500GB with stiction solved today...
Already imaging.

[lump]

Hi everyone and Thanks for all of your input. I was waiting for a reply from my diagnostic technician before I replied back. According to him the drive platters spin, so that should remove a seized spindle from the problems. Next I'm told that the Read / Write Heads need the same firmware as the original drive. That where my problems is. I do not know if the different firmware will make a difference.
Thanks,
Bill

[Arthur]

If it is seized spindle or only stiction, heads might have survived in both cases.

[pclab]

Hi everyone and Thanks for all of your input. I was waiting for a reply from my diagnostic technician before I replied back. According to him the drive platters spin, so that should remove a seized spindle from the problems. Next I'm told that the Read / Write Heads need the same firmware as the original drive. That where my problems is. I do not know if the different firmware will make a difference.
Thanks,
Bill

Your tech guy should now that...
Or maybe not so tech...

[hddguy]

Hi everyone and Thanks for all of your input. I was waiting for a reply from my diagnostic technician before I replied back. According to him the drive platters spin, so that should remove a seized spindle from the problems. Next I'm told that the Read / Write Heads need the same firmware as the original drive. That where my problems is. I do not know if the different firmware will make a difference.
Thanks,
Bill

You have a technician working for you, you have clean room facilities and a HDD workbench, I am assuming this is a clients HDD, yet you cannot tell the difference between stiction and siezed spindle. Also, you ask if PCB swap and upgrade of FW will help, and am prepared to change the heads despite the problem potentially being in the spindle?

Are you even qualified to work on this, and does your client know of your limitations??