First of all, as a newcomer, let me say hi to all, and also thanks, because even though I just registered on the board a few minutes ago, this forum has been very helpful to me lately when one of my HDDs started going very bad.

But let me explain my problem.

I have a Barracuda ST31000340NS 1TB HDD that I managed to salvage from being thrown to the garbage at my job when it ceased to work. The thing is that I believe ther's still something that can be done with this drive. But I don't know what.
Just to make things clear, I don't care about the data inside the drive.... I don't want to recover it. I just want to try to repair it to get me an additional 1TB drive for home use.

Now the symptoms:
If I give the drive some power it seems to start spinning normally, but it gets stuck trying something (with a clack-clack sound) and then it just ceases and stops spinning.

I've attached a ZIP containing an MP3 with the sound it makes through the entire process. I'm sure listening to it won't be difficult for you gurus to identify what could be happening to my drive... and possibly tell me if it can be repaired easily...

Also, tried to RMA it back to seagate, but as this drive was included inside an external NAS (I don't really have the NAS, just the drive) the warranty process says it's not eligible for RMA, so I'm stuck with it. So I don't really mind opening it if it's necessary and I can get it to work in an easy way.

Thanks a lot.

it is not repairable - heads are bad

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SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

100percent agree. Pity... it was a NS, could have been a good deal...

Thank you for your answers.

I'll try and open it just for fun, then

You get a couple of superb fridge magnets and some shiny platters for making clocks, but if you are lucky enough you can have a 500 or 750 or so drive if you find someone in your area who can refurb the non opened drive. If you were here I would have done it ... - p.s. you personally can't do it.

Dont think so... It kinda sounds to me like the heads are shaving the media there... Open up the drive and most likely there will be dust on the filter and scratches on the platters...

I can't judge from the recording, must re-listen to the clip not from the cell phone...

If so, the offer for the magnets and platter clock is still valid

I just opened it, and It's a complete wreck. The platter is entirely scratched, and it's all dusty (the dehydrant bag is supposed to be white and it's completely black from the dirt)
I cant' imagine how happened, as the NAS were this drive was enclosed was bought just a few months ago...

The only way I figure I could make use of this drive would ve to get an RMA, but as this is an OEM HDD I think it won't be possible

Here are some pictures of the mess, in case you're curious.

So... windchimes and fridge magnets it is!

Yes I suppose

kudos to Alxii.. you nailed it.

Thank you all for you advice

Nice rings... Listening to the clip on pc was effectively different...

The data is now DIAMONDS! Ugh, i mean dust on the filter... Sry m8 , ima poking fun only cause i know data was not important =)