Need Mechanical Hard Drive Help

[MorbidDog]

My wife?s hard drive stopped working. It not software related it mechanical since it clicks when the computer boots and does not spin. She really wants the pictures that she did not back up. To have the data retrieved it would cost around $600.(this is not an option)
I have heard that I can swap the platter to a working drive? How easy is it? Has anyone done it? Does anyone have advice? Am I just screwed?

Thanks,
M

 

[Skiddex]

the only thing that ive seen work is replacing the pcb board on the bottom of the drive from a drive of the exact same model. you could try the platter swap into a new hard drive housing unit, but i can almost gaurantee you some form of corruption on the drive.

 

[johnjkr1]

Swapping the platters is nearly impossible. PCB's, yes. Platters, no. Unless you have a REALLY clean house, the platters would likely be corrupted in the transition process. Hope she learned her lesson.

 

[PrincessGuard]

If the drive does not spin at all then you're pretty much out of luck. Swapping platters by hand is pretty much impossible with modern hard drives since you'd have to center the platter with micron accuracy not to mention avoid getting any dust on there that will kill the nanometer-thick coatings and heads.

Changing the PCB is worth a try though.

 

[MorbidDog]

Cool thanks. I will try swapping PCB. if I can find the same model with firm ware.

Thanks again,
M

 

[bwnv]

If the hard drive has a sticker on the side you can peel that off and try to kick start the motor with a small screwdriver. I have done this with IBM drives before. Also have the drive upside down. This only works a few times though so set up your new drive first.

P.S. only touch the edge of the platter

 

[jagec]

the other possible problem is if it clicks, but doesn't spin, the heads are getting drug across the platter. that's baaaad. Seriously, if she really wants those pictures, she's going to have to pay someone.

 

[blackbart]

As a last resort, you can try this: <URL: http://www.hddrecovery.com.au/downloads/200ways.pdf>. (Sorry about the pdf, I recall reading that, or something similar, years ago, but that's all I could find now.)

 

[stockjock]

Hey....before you go and tear the thing apart you might want to try this....take the drive and wrap it real good in plastic wrap and then place it in your freezer and leave it there for a while and let it freeze up!! I tried this on my dad's drive that was going and it worked like a charm...got all his data off before it started clickity click again..