Hi, my old seagate db35.3 500gb is busted because it fell. So I want to save the data by taking out the platters and putting it in a similar hdd. However the original one is only available very expensive. I need an alternative hdd that will work for this purpose. You can find the specs of my hdd in the link below. Help would be very much appreciated.

http://www.cnet.com/products/seagate-db35-3-500gb-ata-100/specs/

hello,

things are not so simple.
Don't do anything, if you don't have knowledge and experience.
You Will need also tools to do a job.
Ask pro to recover your data.

Think twice before you step into minefield.

Write down a little bit more, what is te problem, any strange sounds,...

DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT try swapping the platters.

You will 99.999% fail.

As jerovsek said, post the symptoms.

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I'll guess stucked spindle...

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Maybe yes, or maybe damaged heads and/media damage.

Unfortunately all we have to go on is "busted", so it's pure guesswork,

Either way, not DIY

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Well it makes this sound. https://www.dropbox.com/s/rwrudzjrtoic4 ... d.m4a?dl=0

So anyone know what's wrong with it by hearing that sound?

That sounds like media damage, heads on platter...don't power that drive on anymore.
Hopefully a new set of heads will read, but it depends on how long time the drive had been powered on at this state.

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The head is stuck against the platter? Can't it just remove the head from the platter?

Your drive is spinning...right? Hard to tell but it sounds like the drive is spinning and the heads are scraping (metallic sound) on the platters.

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I don't know if it's spinning. I ordered some torx screwdrivers so I can open it. Is replacing the heads an easy thing to do yourself?

Hello basvdelsen,

head swap is not simple.
Don't DIY if data on drive are valuable for U.
If you open the drive in not clean environmet, recovery would be harder and without proper tools you can do more damage, then is already done on the drive.

The data isn't that valuable to me, but it would be nice to have it back.

I'm just gonna look inside to see if the platters aren't damaged and then I can decide if I want to have it professionally restored or DIY. But in case I want to DIY it, I would appreciate some help with that, like what drive I should get to put the platters in or where I can get the heads to replace the old ones with.

Hello,

first research about recovery prices. Just to get basic cost of recovery.
Then decide, if is acceptable for you.
For tools and spare parts you will spend some money. You will also need to limit those cost if there is no effect of your effort to recover data. And consequently datarecovery will, after your attempt to recover, be less successful and more expensive. So think twice.

For donor drive, you need to match Model, site, date, ... Closer they are, better for you.

But

when you will open the drive(in clean environment) you will see, if there are some damages on platters(then recovery is very hard or impossible), if motor stuck, or heads are problematic or all together


Good luck

Based on what I heard, the drive is not spinning (I could be wrong though).
So it's either seized motor or stiction. Or both. And possibly heads are damaged too (due to the fall).

If my assumption is right, then you have to deal with one of the most severe and difficult mechanical faults, which is a challenge even for seasoned pros.

I will have to strongly agree with the advises already given to you, do not attempt anything if you value your data, the outcome will be only one: FAILURE.
If you don't value your data, then go ahead and have fun. But remember, there is possibly no turning back afterwards.

Good luck.

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