Samsung HD322GJ head swap

[pepe]

Kindof same situation as slim maxtors and samsungs. Swapping the platter is the way to go, which may pose some problems with alignment if not done properly.

pepe

[pcimage]

Have done this with Maxtor N40P and Samsung slim 40gb drives.

Yes, you do have to be careful putting the platter back onto the new head and as Pepe says there can be alignment issues.

[Tempest]

This HDD model is a bit odd as it has only one platter and only one head, located on the non visible side of the platter. So I can't see the head.
The problem is that due to the case design it seems that the only way to remove the single head, is by removing the platter first.
I want to check the surface of the platter for scratches before ordering a donor drive. But when I put the platter back in place I think there is a big chance of damaging the platter surface as it may touch the head. Unfortunately I can't make sure this doesn't happen as I can't clearly see that surface or the head during that procedure.

Though I have seen this type of problem in other drive models, I don't recall on this drive. So, likely I did not have the pleasure of testing on this particular model.

So, yes, head stack removal is not possible with traditional method for this model.
I suggest using the upper surface to your advantage in ensuring the platter is placed on the drive as gently as possible. Since the top surface is not used, you can dance to MC Hammer's "Can't touch this" all you want on it. So, use that to your advantage to put the platter back in place.
Additionally, to further reduce the potential impact between the platter and the head, I would recommend using a thin paper with a smooth waxy finish cut up to fit and remove properly from the disk. Lie it on top of the head, then place the platter gently in place. Then slowly and smoothly pull the paper out from between the platter and head.

P.S. Humans are biased as they are poorly programmed on perception. Perception is reality. In your circumstance, my critique was a bit strong, sorry. For 99% of other first posters coming to the site, different story.

Thanks. That was the help I was looking for. Ways to minimize the problem of the platter touching the head. Normally this wouldn't be a problem but in this case the head has to be in place before the platter is placed on top of it. Its very hard to control the platters decent into position. Hopefully with the method you described this won't be so "scary".

Thanks to all of you, specially to labtech.

[Dmitri]

I can remove the platter, replace the head. Up to this point no problem. But if I try to put the platter with the head in place I am almost 100% sure I will damage its surface as I have no way of making sure the platter wont touch the head.

You won't need to replace the head. Head swap in these drives is equal to platter swap.
You got this drive, some day you may get a Maxtor with similar design, which will require the same approach.

And you are right, such platter swap requires experience and accuracy. If you want to do it yourself, I'd highly recommend to not make a client's drive your first and train on some other one.
We've been working with such one-platters before and can help with this recovery if necessary.

[pepe]

head-platter contact will be the smallest problem in this case, head is touching the surface all the time until the drive spins up.
The rest i already told.