Hdd arm floating on platters when powered down

[hdguy]

Like title says, I have a clicking hard drive that when shaked (slowly and with the drive powered down...)
I can hear the Hdd arm floating on platters.

Can this be related to some problem on heads parking mechanisms ?

[labtech]

There may be a problem with the heads, but not with the parking mechanism.

[hdguy]

There may be a problem with the heads, but not with the parking mechanism.

When heads have some problems, the parking procedure doesn't work ?

[labtech]

Can you explain your interpretation of "parking procedure"?

[hdguy]

Can you explain your interpretation of "parking procedure"?

When heads are placed on a side of the hd chassis like show in the image below:



Should the heads remain in this position for security reasons (avoid contact with platters during transportation) when the drive is powered down ?

[hdguy]

Sorry for the late reply, but my yesterday post with an image still not passed moderation.

The parking procedure should be when the drive heads are on a side of the drive chassis, on the parking ramp, to avoid heads contact with platters surface (for example during transportation)

[HaQue]

Sorry for the late reply, but my yesterday post with an image still not passed moderation.

The parking procedure should be when the drive heads are on a side of the drive chassis, on the parking ramp, to avoid heads contact with platters surface (for example during transportation)

just want to point out that you described a parking location not a parking procedure

[hdguy]

just want to point out that you described a parking location not a parking procedure

I don't know what technically happens with the parking procedure and how drive firmware manages this task, but I think that the drive harm should not float on the platters if heads are parked...

[Vulcan]

I have a clicking hard drive that when shaked (slowly and with the drive powered down...)
I can hear the Hdd arm floating on platters.

It is normal for some models of ramp-loading drives, to rattle slightly when shaken. In this case, the "arm" is not "on [the] platters".

I see no evidence in your various postings to blame the rattle for your problem - or to say it another way: I think you are blaming the rattle when your problem is likely elsewhere. If you have a problem, start by describing the actual symptoms of the drive (e.g. error messages), anything that happened before these symptoms started (e.g. was the drive knocked / dropped or anything else unusual), its make & model, the testing / diagnosis that you have already done and those results, and then stop guessing and wait for any comments from readers.

[labtech]

Alright, that looks like an old IBM/Hitachi 2.5" hdd. When powered off, if shacking the drive, the noise inside the drive is likely to come from other small components located to the left of the actuator that work with the actuator. Now, the hdd should not be failed because of the rattling of these components, however given that the hdd has been opened and tinkered around with, then I don't know, something may be out of place causing other strange noises or behaviors, etc.

Needless to say, as previously stated, the drive is likely to have failed because of damaged heads. Keep in mind that this is just a remote forum opinion, as oppose to a solid expert in-lab evaluation determined via thorough testing using advanced specialized equipment.

[Vulcan]

Hi,

given that the hdd has been opened and tinkered around with

FYI the OP's photo (which is now visible - as we know, it wasn't visible until a short while ago) is not from the OP's actual drive - it is from a DR company's website. My interpretation of the OP's (vague) comments, is that he may not have opened his drive and his comments about what is happening inside his drive are guesses. However it's possible that he has opened the drive, due to the ambiguity of the comments so far. Hopefully he will supply some clear information about what he has actually done.

[labtech]

@Vulcan
I did not realize that the image was off a website, but you are right: OP is guessing stuff more or less and we are giving educated opinion based on guesses more or less, as well.

Clarification is the way to go..

[hdguy]

FYI the OP's photo (which is now visible - as we know, it wasn't visible until a short while ago) is not from the OP's actual drive - it is from a DR company's website. My interpretation of the OP's (vague) comments, is that he may not have opened his drive and his comments about what is happening inside his drive are guesses.

Vulcan is right, this is an example image and my Samsung HD103UJ wasn't opened.

The only thing that I can add here is that the drive started clicking suddenly, not being recognized by the bios anymore.

What I've reported here is not a slight rattle, but the arm is clearly moving inside.

[labtech]

Samsung supports terminal access. Search here on the forum OR even google it to see how to get this rigged up and obtain a terminal output of what the drive does.
If this alone seems too complicated, then maybe it is best to ask a DR professional.

[labtech]

Alright, now Samsung HD103UJ does not have a parking ramp design. The heads are actually parked on the platters themselves.

There are no other components that can cause any rattling whatsoever inside the chassis. So, where the noise is coming from is hard to tell, unless the obvious where the platters themselves are broken into pieces.

A sound recording and/or terminal output may provide a lot more insight. Nevertheless, not DIY in terms of recovering the data.

[BlackST]

FYI the OP's photo (which is now visible - as we know, it wasn't visible until a short while ago) is not from the OP's actual drive - it is from a DR company's website. My interpretation of the OP's (vague) comments, is that he may not have opened his drive and his comments about what is happening inside his drive are guesses.

Vulcan is right, this is an example image and my Samsung HD103UJ wasn't opened.

The only thing that I can add here is that the drive started clicking suddenly, not being recognized by the bios anymore.

What I've reported here is not a slight rattle, but the arm is clearly moving inside.

Something got broken inside the HDA then.