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How do you unstick heads on drives over 500GB?

October 27th, 2008, 19:56

Normally if I work at it a bit I can free up a drive under 500GB with stuck heads (Stiction) and the drive works.
My success rate lately has been much lower on drives over 500GB.
I normally have to end up doing a head replacement.
I know the new bigger drives have tiny heads which are very easy to damage.
I tried submerging the drive in alcohol which does help to free up the heads but it leaves a nasty residue that ends up gumming up the heads. I assume the residue is grease from the bearing or some other coating they put on the platter.
Any suggestions?

Re: How do you unstick heads on drives over 500GB?

October 27th, 2008, 22:15

each platter has a coating, so heads could slide a bit.
Alchohol might disolve it.

Re: How do you unstick heads on drives over 500GB?

October 27th, 2008, 23:16

Do you think some very thin oil would help free them up?
Maybe something mild like mineral oil.
I am not sure how that would effect the head reading.

Re: How do you unstick heads on drives over 500GB?

October 28th, 2008, 12:12

You should not apply any oil or liquid onto platters
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