I've got a Maxtor 98196H8 I'm trying to get data off. It was originally recognized, and I was imaging it, but around 15% it stopped, and the drive was no longer recognized. Now, It always shows as BSY. After starting up, it clicks once, then maybe 20 seconds later it starts clicking/accessing semi-regularly every 2 seconds. Does this sound like a Firmware issue? Or a bad head?

Could be a firmware issue try loading it in safe mode and post results here .

I started up in Safe Mode in PC3000, and it shows ready (DRD and DSC). I tried loading a loader, and it spins up and starts clicking pretty much the way it does out of safe mode. I'm not sure if the LDR might might not be just right, or if the HDA is bad.

i think there are problems with the HDA .

Thanks for the help. I'm looking for a donor now. It almost looks too easy, but there's a parameter on the label called 'HDA'. Could it be so easy that all I have to do is find a donor with the same HDA? Or do I need to match up PCBA, Unique, and/or Code?

Hi,

U have to match preamp and head type that is usually noted with the first 2 chars of 'A,B,C,D'

regards,
pepe

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Adatmentés - Data recovery

Thanks for the help, but I'm confused now. I noticed the head swap article says the third character should be matched.

I think you don't know how to correct initialize with LDR this hard !
1. Put thid hard in safe-mode -> Model=Maxtor Leo, Firmware=ZAH83FSZ,Serial=none,Capacity=0Mb
2.Load LDR ,ROM ONLY,SOFT RESET,HDD id reading -> Model=Maxtor Leo,Firmware=ZAH814YZ,Serial=none,Capacity 19Gb
3.Load LDR,OVERLAY ONLY,HDD id reading ->Model=Maxtor Leo,Firmware=ZAH814Y0,Serial=none,Capacity 19Gb
4.Initialize SRV from HDD surface ,OK-> Spindle start
5.Soft reset
6.Initialize RCT surface,OK ,
7.Initialize Disk module from surface,OK
8.HDD id reading -> Model=98196H8,Serial=corect ,Firmware=ZAH814Y0,Capacity 76,34Gb
9.Utility start

PS. I have this hard with header 5 defective.
You must have PC3000PCI
Regards

There is one more problem with using this drive with Pc3k pci in the head disabling procedure when u click the head map changing option it says List of index bounds and doesnot access the menu any one knows solution to this problem .