Hi GURUS. I am really new in this kind of bussines to repair a hard drive (open heart HD repair). The hard drive is the IC25N060ATMR04-0 model, from Hitachi "Travelstar". Is making a funny noise like the head coming back and forward, like click....click. I need to save the data that are in that HD, also I know a lot a companies that do that thing but I want to do it by myself carrying my own consequencies. I need advice or at least ideas so how can I start this mission, what part is the possible damage (in my case). I am really appreciate all the help that you guys can provide me. THANK YOU, Ernie

... probably you have already messed up the whole thing so you can try everything, at this point. Maybe it wasn't the HDA. Do you have a 250 Mhz. dual trace oscilloscope and PC3000 at hand ?

Earnie - It does not have to be open heart surgery, but...

I looked up your drive. 60GB, 3 heads, 2 platters.

If it's firmware, you will need equipment capable of rewriting firmware. If it's the heads, you will need clear air environment and ability to move heads without damage. It is much easier to solve a problem like this with proper diagnostic. You won't get it without buying fairly pricey equipment.

Then, you'll need ability to image the drive very quickly.

Before trying physical operations on a "live" drive, you'd need to practice. A lot.

That's why we charge what we do.

Almost certainly bad heads, but often the bad heads damage the platters on this model, I have found.

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My vote is for bad heads as well. Quite easy with the right tools, still possible with homemade tools and practice.

Before moving heads, test the PCB. Bad pcb can cause clicking.