Hello,

I have here a Samsung HM160HI.
This HDD has been analyzed by another reputable DR company, and they told data was unrecoverable because of a head crash.

This HDD has 2 platters and 2 heads, it uses the internal surfaces of each platter, so the only active heads are 1,2.

The other DR company didn’t even try to change heads (bottom sticker that covers headstack screw is untouched). I can’t see any head crash because the internal surfaces of the platters are hidden.

I noticed that platters screw is ruined and, like you can see in the pic, the 4 holes around the screw are misaligned.

Now, my question is: in your opinion, did the other DR company moved the platters to check internal head crash or to make hdd unrecoverable losing platters alignment? The misaligned holes mean that platters have been moved?

Thanks,
Simone

Perhaps you don't have a good relationship with the other lab, but I'd start by giving them a call and asking them how they came to that conclusion. Another option is to ignore the previous diagnosis and just do a full diagnosis of your own.

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Luke
Recovery Force Data Recovery

They probably took the platters out to confirm the platter damage
It's not very critical for this model anyway

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

Heads can be taken out without touching the sticker.