ST500LT012 donor compatibility and Head replacement.

[atom1477]

Hello.
I had a problem: the head stuck to platter.
Trying to freeing it, I destroy it by 99%.
So now I need to make Head replacement.
But I cannot find exactly identical donor.
The closest I found (and bought) is:
Original Donor
SN: W3PTQ5AJ WBYGN4JZ
ST500LT012 ST500LT012
PN: 1DG142-125 1DG142-021
FW: 0001SDM2 1003YAM1
Site: WU WU
APR2017 OCT2017

Colors according to this:
https://www.donordrives.com/blog/matching-guide
So almost everything math, except for Head Preamplifier.
But at this site:
https://www.blizzarddr.com/seagate-donor-drives/
there some examples of preamplifier compatibility.
For example W3P and W0V.

So I have 4 questions:
1. Maybe someone know if W3P and WYB are compatible too?

2. I saw some materials about Platter swap.
I know that is not recommend, but in my case there are only one platter. And I see that platter swap may by done without Head disassembling. So maybe it will be simplest for beginner without appropriate tools.
If I understood correctly, in this case ROM is not copyed from old to new PCB. So platters not required ROM replacement. So maybe the simplest and the safest option is replace platter to a new drive?

3. If not swapping platter, maybe could it be possible to replace Head and PCB?
Won't the preamplifier incompatibility be a problem, if Head work with its original PCB? The Head and PCB will be the new ones (from donor), only platter will be from patient.

4. Is it possible at all, to make head replacement without costly software or PC3000? Using only Seagate F3 Terminal Commands?

I'm HDD beginner (but advanced electronic designer), and I have only this one disc to repair. I have hand made laminar box, with HEPA filter.

Thanks in advance.
atom1477

[Lardman]

If your data has any value to you please send it to a pro, the chances of this ending in tears are really high. A pro would have removed the stuck head carefully, drives of this capacity don't normally need new heads after unsticking.

1. You can try it. (I don't know) Ebay is full of these drives and they're dirt cheap. The second one I checked had a matching preamp and was 17gbp .
2. Don't try. A head swap is far less of a problem, even without the professional tools. What are you using for a head comb ?
3. See 2 - don't do it.
4. If things match close enough and the heads are the only problem. There should be no need to mess any more than just swapping the heads.

Don't do this cold, get a few donor drives and practice on those first. Take the heads out and put them back in a dozen times or so reading the donor drive each time. Head swaps are not as easy as they look on youtube and really aren't DIY; but it's your drive to kill if you accept the risk.

edit : and put some damn gloves on - you WILL touch the patter no matter how careful you think you're being.

[atom1477]

2. Don't try. A head swap is far less of a problem, even without the professional tools. What are you using for a head comb ?

I plan to use 3D printed "brick" as a comb.

3. See 2 - don't do it.

Hmm, why?
Head replacement require ROM swap. So why is wrong when I swap whole PCB? It is simplier to do.

[Lardman]

Hmm, why?
Head replacement require ROM swap. So why is wrong when I swap whole PCB? It is simplier to do.

It shouldn't. Why swap the pcb for stuck heads? the pcb is perfectly functional. You may need to transfer over some specific areas of the ROM - but only if there are problems. There's far more stored in a ROM than just the adaptives for the heads you may want to do a little more research before carrying on.