Hi,

This is my first post in this forum. I'm a data recovery trainee.
I need to to do a head swap in a Samsung HD322GJ.
This HDD model is a bit odd as it has only one platter and only one head, located on the non visible side of the platter. So I can't see the head.
The problem is that due to the case design it seems that the only way to remove the single head, is by removing the platter first.
I want to check the surface of the platter for scratches before ordering a donor drive. But when I put the platter back in place I think there is a big chance of damaging the platter surface as it may touch the head. Unfortunately I can't make sure this doesn't happen as I can't clearly see that surface or the head during that procedure.

Has any one encountered a similar situation? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advanced.

hi and welcome to the forum.

I suggest you outsource it if you are not comfortable with it, or do some practice on old hard drives first.

good luck with your DR carrier

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Data Recovery Pakistan

The procedure you described indicates that you are looking for answers in a quick manner. That is a cardinal sin in DR. Taking the time to execute the procedures correctly, including removing all relevant components is the proper way to go.

When it comes to mechanical work, DR is not a game of shortcuts.

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Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD, SATA, NVMe, etc), USB Flash Drive and RAID Data Recovery Specialist in Massachusetts

Both answers appear to take only into account this part of what I wrote.
Hopefully some one with knowledge will read the rest.

I'm used to swapping heads in Hdds.
This one is a bit different from most.
As soon as I can I will post a picture to better illustrate the reason I'm asking for help.

Constructive comments only please. Thanks.

This drive has the heads parking on the platter surface near the spindle. It sounds like the ones you have worked on have the heads parked outside of the platters. There are special head removal tools you can use for these types of drives. Look at E-R Tools, HDD Surgery and Salvation Data. Removing the platter is always the last thing you should ever do. There is a risk of damaging the platter if it is not centered correctly on the spindle. You might be able to see damage on the bottom platter surface using a USB Endoscope, but it is extremely hard if not impossible to do. I would strongly suggest you buy at least two donors. Use the spare donors to practice the head swap technique with these tools before attempting anything on a clients drive.

I am being constructive here when I say that the internet is full of information and videos about drives with heads that park on the platters. I would strongly suggest that doing your research first before posting here might give you better responses. Talking about removing platters when you have no experience scares posters on the forum to death....

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Founder of The Data Recovery Professionals Group

Thanks for your comment.
I have experience changing platters. I see now it was a big mistake mentioning I was trainee even though I still consider myself to be one.
You miss understood some of what I wrote. The HDD has only one head and one platter. The parking is near the spindle like you mentioned but that's not new for me. Since it has only one head I don't require a head comb, the problem is I can't see the head as it is located under the platter.
Removing a platter from an HDD is a very and I mean very delicate operation but since the HDD in question only has one and only one head, this is actually not as scary as it usually is.
The problem is explained in my first post. Due to the case design I cant remove the head without removing the platter first. If I tried to remove the head it would hit a part of the case design that is not removable. Very strange design.... So I can remove the platter, replace the head. Up to this point no problem. But if I try to put the platter with the head in place I am almost 100% sure I will damage its surface as I have no way of making sure the platter wont touch the head.

I now doubt anyone will help me because just as you did. Anyone who reads the post automatically makes assumptions based on me stating I'm a trainee and so won't actually understand what I tried to explain in the first place. My mistake. Live and learn

Obviously you are incorrect
When you post something like this it is always useful if you can enclose a picture of the drive. Personally I cannot remember what this drive is like inside (if I have ever seen one). I have never seen a Samsung where the head cannot be removed. Also I would still use a head comb to take the head off the platter even with a single head. Most are sprung loaded/resting on the platter and can get damaged on the edge of the platter if no comb is used.

This post goes to show you that we are all trainees, you can never stop learning.

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HDD, SSD, Flash and RAID Data Recovery
Founder of The Data Recovery Professionals Group

Well, obviously I disagree with you about some of what you said
I agree about the use of the comb, it may help. In many more usual cases even with a comb there is still the possibility of hitting the edges of the platter. To avoid this in some cases the only way seems to be training exhaustively every movement as much as possible. Or if possible acquire a more suitable comb.
This seems to be a somewhat rare drive. Its hard to find a donor drive that meets the requirements.
Like I said before. When I can I will provide a photo off the drive.

I still think I am correct about my conclusions about stating I am a trainee (it didn't help). But I also agree that we are all trainees.
Thanks for your input.

As another trainee/DR noob, I'd very much like to see a close-up of the drive interior. I don't have that model on hand. Don't be put off by the treatment here. Many here are very helpful, but most feel it would be irresponsible to help someone who appears likely to jeopardize a customer's data because of a perceived lack of required skill/experience.

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Sabo Computer Repairs & Data Recovery

is this what it looks like?


looks like when you take the magnet off the head should swing enough? but Ive never done a head swap either!

Wow, I thought I went out of my way to be helpful....

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HDD, SSD, Flash and RAID Data Recovery
Founder of The Data Recovery Professionals Group

I don't think i've ever had to pull apart this model but it looks like platter removal is the only way due to the design. I've seen some old Maxtors like this. If it turns out to be alignment sensitive there's only one head so you can just shift the platter around a little until it works.

Is the piece just to the north of the ribbon cable connection part of the chassis? In newer drives its parts of the connector.

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Founder of The Data Recovery Professionals Group

Sorry, I wasn't referring to you, ddrecovery. I was referring to his comment:

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Sabo Computer Repairs & Data Recovery

This is the design feature that motivated this post in the first place.
Checkout the small red arrow.
You can't see it but the small design feature is actually taller that the platter, it almost touches the cover and makes it impossible to just move the head from under the platter or to use any head comb that I know of. It would touch that and break.
Any help is appreciated. Maybe there is an easy way that I can't think of at the moment.



I wasn't being ironic or anything. Sorry if it sounds that way. I was just recognizing a mistake I did.
Thanks to all of you. And mean this

Special thanks HaQue for the original picture. How were you able to find one?

well said.

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Data Recovery Pakistan

No problem, I was interested to see what you'd come up against. I used Google image search with only the model number, though there were a lot of results that were not related to this.
Sorry, that's the limit I can help, I don't do much with conventionals, good luck, hope you find a solution

I agree. But Its completely out of place. And NOT what I was asking. I'm not looking for judgement. I'm looking for help.



I did the same but I couldn't find one.
Thanks anyway, you were very helpful

Though I have seen this type of problem in other drive models, I don't recall on this drive. So, likely I did not have the pleasure of testing on this particular model.

So, yes, head stack removal is not possible with traditional method for this model.
I suggest using the upper surface to your advantage in ensuring the platter is placed on the drive as gently as possible. Since the top surface is not used, you can dance to MC Hammer's "Can't touch this" all you want on it. So, use that to your advantage to put the platter back in place.
Additionally, to further reduce the potential impact between the platter and the head, I would recommend using a thin paper with a smooth waxy finish cut up to fit and remove properly from the disk. Lie it on top of the head, then place the platter gently in place. Then slowly and smoothly pull the paper out from between the platter and head.

P.S. Humans are biased as they are poorly programmed on perception. Perception is reality. In your circumstance, my critique was a bit strong, sorry. For 99% of other first posters coming to the site, different story.

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Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD, SATA, NVMe, etc), USB Flash Drive and RAID Data Recovery Specialist in Massachusetts

Well said, welcome Tempest

_________________
HDD, SSD, Flash and RAID Data Recovery
Founder of The Data Recovery Professionals Group