Disabling Head in ROM VS Physical Cuttig-Which Actually Work

[Josh256]

Hello everyone,

I have a Question about Seagate drives for example Grenada

if Platter 1 has surface damage but platter 0 is intact, after proper decontamination and head swap, what is the safest way to disable head 1?

is editing the logical head map in ROM ( changing 01 to 00) enough to permanently disable head 1? Or is it safer to physically cut Head 1 to make sure it never initializes?

I tested on a donor and installed a head stack where head 01 was already damaged, then disabled head 1 in ROM. The drive spun up, became ready, and identified correctly. However, when I attempted to edit the logical head map in RAM, before completing the process head 1 became active and contacted the platter. This caused head 0 to also make contact, resulting in surface damage on both platters 01 and 00.

Given this, is it safer to physically cut/remove the damaged head to ensure it never initializes, so the remaining intact heads and surfaces can be imaged safely?

[melvin]

If surface is damaged you need to cut or bent the head. Without it you'll kill heads fast and damage other surfaces. As you did with your donor. Then disable head in ROM. If surface is damaged H1 will contact platter whatever you do. Need to cut/bent it.