Got a Seagate Momentus in for recovery. Drive is ST9500420AS with D0005SDM1 firmware. Head 1 reports back as bad with Atola. Turned that head off and imaged the rest of the drive perfectly. Ordered a new drive, however firmware was 0003SDM1. Everything else matched up. Switched heads and drive just clicks, spins down and repeats.

Thinking that there was an incompatibility with firmware, I ordered a new donor with everything matching (firmware, site code, first 3 char. of SN). After swapping heads, the patient just clicks, spins down and repeats. Moved back heads to their originals and everything is back - no clicking on patient or donor.

Am I missing something here as far as headstack compatibility is concerned (yes or no is fine)?

Pesky

From what I can see your donors are a good match. Personally I've had luck matching model only, different site codes. Have seen stories of swaps with different model numbers even. Your patient probably has some other underlying problem.

I have also heard instances of perfectly matched donors and no luck with headswap (talking Seagate here).

My luck has been good with matching model, site and first 3 of S/N. However, talk about a large capacity .11 and it's not that simple...

The thick plottens.

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