Samsung HD753LJ - probably head failure?

[simg]

Hi,

I've got a dead Samsung HD753LJ. The drive will spin up but makes a clicking noise and isn't recognised by the BIOS. My understanding from reading this forum and various other sites is that this likely indicates a head failure?

I have checked the TVS diodes. I think they're OK?
the left one (looking from the connectors) reads 1.3Kohm in one direction, 100ohm in the other. The right one is 50Kohm in one direction and 100ohm in the other (in the opposite direction though the left). The 0 ohm resistor is 0 ohms.

There is certainly no obvious visible damage anywhere on the PCB.

The drive actually died in 2009 and after I got some scary quotes for recovery and have since left it on a shelf hoping that either some spare money will be found or inspiration will strike.

Two separate replacement drives also failed within a few months leading me to suspect and replace the PSU, so it could be that this drive was killed by dodgy power in some way?

I stumbled across a DIY hard drive repair video yesterday which prompted me to re-investigate potential recoveries.

Confession: I have opened the drive up briefly in a dust free but not clean room environment. The heads did seem to be stuck to platters but came free quite easily. Back in 2009, before I really knew the risks, I tried *many* attempts to get the drive to start including putting the drive in the freezer.

So, my questions:

Is it possible that the TVS diodes are "out of spec" and causing the drive to click ?

Is it likely that my many attempts to start the drive will have damaged the surface beyond recovery?

Is it likely that I would be able to find another drive with the same revision number and successfully swap the platters from one drive to another as a DIY. (I am mechanically competent but I wouldn't want to attempt to swap surface mount chips if that is what is required)

Assuming the drive is beyond DIY repair, do you have any recommendations for cheap (but good) data recovery specialists in the UK? Previous quotes have been in the region of £500 and I just don't have this kind of money to spare? (The data I want back is mainly photographs from prior to 2009 which have sentimental value).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[mr_spokk]

If the drive spinns up, there is no problem with TVS. The clicking is most probably headfailure, and every attempt to boot it is a danger
Seek member "PcImage" he's in Peterbourough

[simg]

Thanks, I've found PcImages website. Will get in touch with him