Looking for a donor drive for ST2000DM001

[LarrySabo]

Looking for a suitable donor drive for the following:

Seagate 2000GB
SN: S240G375
MODEL: ST2000DM001
PN: 9YN164-570
FW: CC9E
Date: 12493
Site: SU

Head map: 0 1 2 3 4

[lcoughey]

Check with MyDonorDrives.com

[data-medics]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seagate-2TB-ST2 ... 2590645aaf

That one has a different site code, but probably is still a match.

[LarrySabo]

Thanks for the suggestions, Luke and Jared! MyDonorDrives.com yields the following (searching on just model and Date ~3 months), which doesn't seem like a likely match:

ST2000DM001-9YN164
Interface: SATA
Date: 29-Jun-2012 - within 23 days
S/N: W240JYWK
Firmware ID: CC4B
Preamp Type: B4 43
Channel Type: ITERATIVE
Power IC Type: MCKINLEY DESKTOP LITE REV 15
MCU Type: LUXORL_2_1( 202)(FF-FF-FF-FF)
Date Code: 13037
Site Code: WU
PCB Rev: 100664987 REV B
Country: CHINA

The eBay one looks to be a good match, with just the Site significantly different, e.g.

SN: Z1E0RCF0
MODEL: ST2000DM001
PN: 9YN164-570
FW: CC9E
Date: 12426 Site: TK

Being a noob at this, it's a challenge to know what parameters are critical, but I think I'll take a chance on the eBay drive, even though the seller's reputation is not stellar.

[fzabkar]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seagate-2TB-ST2000DM001-Z1E-TK-PN-9YN164-570-FW-CC9E-SATA-3-5-Hard-Drive-/161336285871?pt=US_Internal_Hard_Disk_Drives&hash=item2590645aaf

That one has a different site code, but probably is still a match.

AIUI, the eBay drive has 4 heads (S/N = x1E). The OP's drive has 5.

[fzabkar]

Here is the configuration file for a GRENADA update:

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/GR-CC4H.TXT

# 2 DISK 4 HEAD CONFIGURATIONS
# 3 DISK CONFIGURATIONS, 2TB CAN BE 5 OR 6 HEAD CONFIGURATIONS

[LarrySabo]

Thanks, Franc, although I am not happy to hear the news. Could I ask where you found the information on x1E meaning 4 heads? I don't understand the meaning of fields in the table cited and none of them seems to reference a string "1E".

It was my understanding the serial number first three characters must match or the part number must match (according to donordrives.com):

Hard Drive Match Criteria (for Head Stack Assembly replacement or Platter Swap).
1. Full Model Number. Example: ST9640320AS, ST31000528AS
2. Site Code. Example: TK, AMK, KRATSG, WUXISG
3. Full part number or first 3 characters in serial number. Example: 9Y7389-301, 9JU138-302, 5MA84KC2, 9ND29XWG
4. Firmware. Example: CC44, 0005HPM1

I've have also read a synopsis of Seagate donor matches that violated most of the common match criteria and still worked perfectly, so it's a challenge trying to know what to try.

Larry

[fzabkar]

The first character in the serial number relates to the manufacturing site. For example, "Z" = Thailand, "S" = China.

I have been told (by pcimage?) that the second character possibly relates to the preamp type, although I'm wondering whether it could reflect the platter type.

The third character reflects the number of heads for that particular family.

D = 2 heads, E = 4 heads, F = 6 heads

"S24" and "W24" are codes I have seen for 5-head drives.

I've done some research here:
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/HDD/seagate_sernum.txt

Obviously I don't have hands-on experience, so I'm simply comparing the serial numbers against the published specs in Seagate's product manuals.

There was a thread at Seagate's now defunct old forum where users determined the number of heads by examining the read benchmarks, serial terminal output, and indentations in the drive cover (the 2-platter ST2000DM001 models had deeper dents). We came to the conclusion that the serial number was a reliable way to differentiate between the 2-platter and 3-platter models. I don't know if that still holds, though.

[LarrySabo]

Thanks, Franc.

[northwind]

Thanks for the suggestions, Luke and Jared! MyDonorDrives.com yields the following (searching on just model and Date ~3 months), which doesn't seem like a likely match:

ST2000DM001-9YN164
Interface: SATA
Date: 29-Jun-2012 - within 23 days
S/N: W240JYWK
Firmware ID: CC4B
Preamp Type: B4 43
Channel Type: ITERATIVE
Power IC Type: MCKINLEY DESKTOP LITE REV 15
MCU Type: LUXORL_2_1( 202)(FF-FF-FF-FF)
Date Code: 13037
Site Code: WU
PCB Rev: 100664987 REV B
Country: CHINA

this is likely a good match. Other parameters are more critical for these drives, though.

The eBay one looks to be a good match, with just the Site significantly different, e.g.

SN: Z1E0RCF0
MODEL: ST2000DM001
PN: 9YN164-570
FW: CC9E
Date: 12426 Site: TK

This is not a good match.

[LarrySabo]

Thanks, Northwind. So I found out after I ordered it. Argh! I was considering trying it anyway, disabling head 4 in RAM, but I'm too new at this to be confident that there are not other issues that would frustrate the process, like incompatible pre-amps or something. I have a few weeks to decide and am still looking for a better matching donor.

[lcoughey]

Thanks, Northwind. So I found out after I ordered it. Argh! I was considering trying it anyway, disabling head 4 in RAM, but I'm too new at this to be confident that there are not other issues that would frustrate the process, like incompatible pre-amps or something. I have a few weeks to decide and am still looking for a better matching donor.

If you are unsure of yourself, why are you risking your client's data? Would it not make sense to outsource it to someone with more experience?

[LarrySabo]

Hi Luke. My client checked prices at four respected local DR labs and found their prices prohibitive. I offered to send the drive to you and suggested he could do that directly, if he preferred, but he told me it would still be beyond his means. He has some of the data backed up and says he would be happy with anything better than a 50:50 chance of recovering data not backed up. I've been very open with him about my lack of skills and experience, and he has no problem with me making a best effort. I think I'm as conscious and open as anybody about the propriety and risks of offering data recovery that is/may be beyond my capabilities, and am straight-up with my customers about it.