Hello.

I have the seagate ST3500630AS model. After long hours/days of research i'm convinced the problem is either a seized motor or stiction of the heads because of the humming and beeping noise. I opened the hard drive [with it powered down] and not touching anything else the actuator arm/heads doesn't move freely at all [doesn't even move an inch]. The hard drive is a multi-platter. So my question is: Should the arm/heads normally be free and movable on the platters with the hard drive powered down and not making ANY adjustments on the arm screws or such??? Thanks for your replies.

Please stop what you are doing if your data is valuable. The heads should not be free to move when powered down - for a reason. If the heads are in the parking zone - at the spindle - then you don't have a stiction issue. Chances are it's a spindle motor problem if the drive is buzzing/beeping. You will need the assistance of a pro for this job, it's most definitely not something you can do yourself. The longer you attempt a DIY with this....the more $$$ it will cost you.

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Data Recovery Ireland

Totally Agree with CK if u r Head is on Parking Zone it means u have problem with Motor Stuck or jammed give this to recovery Pro. if Data is not Important u can Play with this

My seagate hard drive does not have a parking ramp on the side of the platter. so the parking zone would be at the near center of the platter, right? again, thanks for your replies.

Yes, that is what I said in my earlier post, the heads park at the centre of the drive. Again, they should not move when the drive is powered off, there is a locking mechanism in place to stop this happening.

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Data Recovery Ireland

If your data is valuable, I suggest you contact the following forum member, who is a pro in your area:

member5276.html

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Data Recovery Ireland

listen to CK... stop and send it to janos

i appreciate all your replies and insight. I am convinced i need a platter transplant. I do have access to a multi-platter tool. It shouldn't take no more than 30 min to complete the transplant since i'm fairly familiar with the internal components already. But the main problem is i'm having trouble locating a donor drive. My hard drive is a seagate. model: ST3500630AS; S/N: 6QG0VR8V; P/N: 9BJ146-568; and Firmware: 3.AFK If there's anyone who can direct me to a seller or have this same one to sell i would greatly appreciate it.

Honestly if you have no experience with this procedure your chances of success are pretty much nil.

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You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.

Just say "Good bye data!" and move on.
At least it will save you money and frustration and I mean a lot of frustration.....

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www.datarecoveryne.com

pretty much?!? lol 99.99998%

503 968 3125. Rapid Tech. Ask for Sam. He is in states somwhere.
Given this info be warned. U dont have parking area outside , that meens u need to dismount the heads 1st then atempt a plater removal. Dismounting heads on a platter that does not spin is rough , not to mention that platter transplant is the last thing data recovery companies attempt as a procedure. If u never did that before ur chances are very very very slim.

Appreciate your response Alexii. and thanks for the tips. anybody who knows any more hard drive resellers out there, please pass the info on this thread. Just last month i didn't know anything about hard drives but i like to believe i did enough thorough research and possess the skills required. after all, i am a surgery resident.

if you are a Dr, You should know better.

If someone call you or e-mail you asking how to perform a open heart surgery, would you tell him/her (not being a MD) how to do it in their own home or well cleaned bedroom???

No, see, this is just an elaborate troll

Nice one Jason, you had us going there for a second

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You don't have to backup all of your files, just the ones you want to keep.