Head stack compatibility question Seagate Barracuda 7200.12

[samick]

Patient: Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB
S/N 6VPxxxxx
F/W CC3E
Site SU

Would a head stack from S/N 9VPxxxxx with same F/W and site code be compatible? I know first 3 of S/N should probably match but I've about pulled out all my hair searching for a donor with 6VPxxxxx.

Thanks for any input...

[Nick_CT]

Last week I had success with 2x head swaps on ST31000528AS drives, patients were both 9VP and donors used were 6VP.

Have you swapped this series before?

[samick]

Not successfully. Burned through 2 donors so far on this case.
First swap was using HDRC plastic tool which smashed one of the heads into the platter instead of lifting it away. Haven't been too pleased with the set I got from them.
Next I acquired the tool from HDD Surgery and after that swap patient still clicked (clicks/knocks a few times and then spins down). After swap back to donor, donor clicked. Inspected tool and it looks like it's out of spec and may not hold heads far away from platters.

Is there a trick to this series? Is that why you ask? If there is I'm sure I don't know it.

I suppose patient platter could be scratched and the scratched on a platter that's not visible to me and will destroy any new head stack I put on.

It's a relief that the 9VP is compat--already found one for $35.

Responded about 8 hours ago but for some reason the msg didn't post.

[samick]

That 3rd line from the bottom turned out to be jibberish. It should have said: I suppose one of the non-visible platter surfaces could be scratched and destroying the new head stack. I've had it happen before.

[Nick_CT]

This series isn't the easiest to do a swap on, no. They aren't like old U5 where you could just swap and success, there's more to it now.

With regard to the HDD Surgery tools, I think they are fantastic and work extremely well. I doubt there is a problem with the tool you have, most likely the technique.

It's possible that your drive has some media damage that is killing donor heads.

If I were you I would get some known, working drives from this series and practice swapping heads. That would be the best way to figure out the niggles You'll find these are very 'clicky' until you get them to initialise correctly.

[samick]

The HDD Surgery tool makes it so easy, assuming the tool has proper alignment I'm sure the heads are not becoming damaged during the swap. The only thing I can think of is magnet alignment or head stack screw tightness that is causing the drives to click after head swap. Are you saying it's possible my head swaps were successful but there could be an issue like this that needs tweaking? Can you make a suggestion?

I did have a few of these drives compatible with the tool and yesterday pulled a head stack off a 9VPxxxxx and then put it back on and the drive was still good. Swapped it to a 6VP and was 'clicky' like you mentioned and wouldn't init. Swapped head back to the 9VP and that drive is now 'clicky' and won't init.

It would be great if all these head stacks are still good and it's just a matter of tweaking to get them to init.

Thanks for your input and further suggestions.

[Nick_CT]

You're on the right track Tweak is the word of the day.

[drsc]

hi friends scratched disc how do I recover ?

Do you have that can help on this topic

Best Regards

Attachments

[northwind]

What on earth is that?

[thatdellguy]

Hard drve art?

[Nick_CT]

Hard drive drum set!

[DataWreck]

da-dum tasshh!