Hi all,

I'm reading there since 18 monthes, subscribe since February, first post today.
I don't have a clean room (perhaps soon ?) and before to make such an invest I'm trainning and trainning, and… to know if I really can.

I'm "not bad…" with data recovery. Involved since 4/5 years in logical/Raid/Nas recovery. I'm trainnig since 1&1/2 year in swapping heads. Already have success with some 3"5in (1 to 4 heads). I'm trainnig these days with a quite hard 2"5. Travelstar HTS541080G9AT00.

I have removed and reinstall about 20 times heads on this model, and found some "tricks" to upgrade my efficiency and avoid hasardous… But I'm still not happy with result. I can't know if it's good enough, because this "trainning disk" was dead before. I'll soon try with a good one and don't want to burn money…

So my first question is : Is there something in particular to know with these models ? I'm taking HSA + magnet in one time because under magnet is free, I've found easier to put the HSA screw over before removing the one under to pull the HSA easier, I push under the HSA with little screwdriver to remove it gently… Is there somethnig else I should try/discover ?

Second question is : Is there software needed with this model to recalibrate after swapping head ? In first case (trainning swapping it's own heads over itself) I guess no, but if heads are coming from a compatible donor ?

Third question is : For a 40GB Travelstar, I bet there's only 1 platter/2heads. Would'nt be easier to swap the platter in this case ? And then, I should also swap PCB as far as adaptative info are in it, should I ?

Thanks in advance for giving me some light. Will help everyone asking for with gnu/linux (PM me!). Sorry for my bad english.

BR,
Rémy

Hi Remy
Its good to know people take the responsible way, ie. train themselves before they deal with actual client's disks.

Onto your questions, Hitachis IMHO are tough ones, I would suggest you train yourself with some Toshibas first. Toshibas are forgiving generally. In Hitachis you should be very careful with magnets

Second question, the answer is no, if i understand the question correctly.

Third question, yes if only one platter is involved then that would theoritically work. Although, it is always easier to just swap heads, unless there is motor failure involved.

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Hi Northwind, thank you for your quick and kind answer.

For third question, I don't understand why you find easier to swap heads (even more with this model, with this F.... magnet) than to swap 1 lonely platter. Is there something difficult in swapping 1 platter when heads are parked outside ? I never tried, but I can't imagine it's harder… only 1 screw and a PCB to Xchange…

EDIT : While writtinig, I was thinking and understand that parking-plastic-piece is involved in platter swap because of it's position. So, if I understand, I should put heads over the platter, remove parking-piece (what's the good word for that ?), put heads outside, removing platter, changing platter, moving heads over, put parking piece in place, put heads again in park… and pray… that's it ? It's harder than just one screw and one platter… but it seems quite easier than head swap for this model, no ?

EDIT2 after writting : wouldn't be possible to let heads in parking place and just pull the piece 1 or 2 mm back to relesae platter ?

EDIT3 after trying : Forget edit2.

Hi again,

I tried today with a Toshiba 40GB. Done 5 times platter remove and reinstall with success. I'll try later with a new Hitachi, will put some data for testing purpose, an will try to "swap platter on itself" (remove platter an reinstall it). Then will try to image it. Will let you know.

I did it ! \O/



Thank you for advices, CU

edit : swap platter instead of head swap.