WD: Heads compatibility vs. alignment

[drc]

Is there a difference in the sounds between an incompatible headstack and a compatible headstack that is not aligned properly?

I have a WD800JD-75MSA1 DSCAYTJCA that seems to have a failed headstack. I swapped in the heads from a WD800JD-75MSA3 HSBAYTJCA and am greeted only with clicking sounds. I'm aware of the WD alignment issues, though previous to this swap I was experimenting with a couple of WD800JB-00JJC0 and was able to swap fine multiple times.

Essentially from here I need to determine primarily that the headstack I'm using is indeed compatible and assuming that it is, where to go from here.

Thanks.

[MANDR]

Is there a difference in the sounds between an incompatible headstack and a compatible headstack that is not aligned properly?

I have a WD800JD-75MSA1 DSCAYTJCA that seems to have a failed headstack. I swapped in the heads from a WD800JD-75MSA3 HSBAYTJCA and am greeted only with clicking sounds. I'm aware of the WD alignment issues, though previous to this swap I was experimenting with a couple of WD800JB-00JJC0 and was able to swap fine multiple times.

Essentially from here I need to determine primarily that the headstack I'm using is indeed compatible and assuming that it is, where to go from here.

Thanks.

Very good question actually! Would like to see what others have to say about this, it will make an intersting read I think

[HDD Spaz]

have you tried altering the alignment? Also put heads back into donor. They still read?

[BlackST]

I check the read channel BEFORE. A dead headstack gives only noise or flatlined out. Obviously a digital sampling scope is needed.

[HDD_MASTER]

I just did headswap on a WD2500 and the "bad" heads worked fine in the donor. Sometimes I think the allignment issue is rubbish but then I see some tricks some people pull and they work.

Quite confusing all this but I am open to all knowledge 'cause WD's are bastards

[drc]

I check the read channel BEFORE. A dead headstack gives only noise or flatlined out. Obviously a digital sampling scope is needed.

Well, if I'm satisfied that one of the heads is kaput (like when 2 out of every 8 lines in mhdd scan is solid AMNFs) then its less of a question of testing that one and more of a question of knowing if the donor stack is compatible and just not lined up right or incompatible or what.

Sometimes I think the allignment issue is rubbish but then I see some tricks some people pull and they work.

Agreed... the ones I was using to practice/experiment with did not require anything out of the ordinary at all. That's what is making me wonder if the donor heads are just not compatible or if it is indeed an alignment thing. I did notice that the click pattern with a set of heads I figured would probably NOT be compatible was different. Any suggestions re: crazy tricks that worked?

[rchadwick]

Sometimes I get lucky the first time, but usually I need to play with alignment before I can get anything reliable.

[ephraim2]

HI FOLKS,

JUST A LITTLE CURIOUSITY.

HOW DO U DO HEADS ALIGNMENT?

TKS SO MUCH,

EPHRAIM

[BlackST]

Manually.

[ephraim2]

TKS BLACKLT

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, BUT NOT SURE.

EPHRAIM

[hddguy]

TKS BLACKLT

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, BUT NOT SURE.

EPHRAIM