Taking apart and FIXING a hard drive

[Sayajin]

Hey guys. I have a quick question.

The problem is that my 100GB Maxtor Hard Drive has crashed on me. I mean crashed as in the drive does not spin up AT ALL! Now I like to refer to myself as a computer expert and I know how to fix stuff. So I wont go into everything I did to try to fix it. But lets go through the basics, yes i tried different jumper settings, different power connectors, different computers, different motherboards, and hell even different power sources all togther.

Basically I am not asking if anyone has any ideas on how to fix it. This is the thing. I am one of those people who DO back up data. And I had been backing it up on the regular. However, I had run out of cds for about 2 weeks and had put a lot of data onto this drive for work. Then the drive crashed on me. Here is the dilemma. I cant afford data recovery, however I do REALLY need the data. I have tried all kinds of things to get the drive back up just 1 last time so I can get the data off of it but to no avail. Then I did a bit of research and saw that if you get the same EXACT drive then you are able to take parts off of the new drive to fix the old one such as the logic board or something.

Here is my question. I know that you can remove the logic board of an identical drive and put it on the nonworking one to see if it works. But I am not sure that will work. So I was wondering is it possible to open the hard drive and take out the platters and put them into the new drive and you still have all of your information on it and the drive works?

Yes I do know how to take apart a drive and yes I have done so multiple times, however I have never tried to exchange parts on identical drives to see if it will work. I was wondering if it is possible to take out the actual platters on the non working drive and stick them into the same IDENTICAL brand new working drive and still have all of your information? Now I hope that just switching the logic board will fix it, but if it doesnt.... and yes I know that just going to a data recovery place is the best thing but as I said I cant afford it.. espically not on a 100gig drive.

And just in case some genious says to use maxtors diagnostic program or lost and found or Norton Recover or anything like that... lemme tell you know that none of that crap works if the drive DOES NOT SPIN UP!

Well if you guys would tell me what you think I would really appreciate it! Thanks a lot!

Sayajin

[juppy]

Well, theoretically, I suppose anything's possible, but I'm not sure this would be something any one person should tackle "in his spare time on the kitchen table" so to speak. The heads on the hard drive run so close to the platters that any foreign matter is going to interfere with it. You've probably heard this, but a finger print is like a mountain for a hard drive head to try and go over. Is it possible to replace the platters from one drive to another and not touch it so you don't get finger prints, dust, moisture or anything else on it? I know I couldn't do it. Unless you've got a cleanroom (one of those filtered rooms with no dust and the people in doctor's smocks y'know?) I don't see how it would be possible. Maybe someone else will reply to this that knows otherwise though.

[mike breck]

You could always try the freezer trick. Put the HD in a freezer bag and leave it in the freezer for an hour. Then see if you can access it and get the data off it.

I've never heard of anyone being able to take out the platters, apart from professional data recovery experts.

[glc]

Well - it's going to cost you a drive if you try, that will definitely void the warranty if you take the drive apart. The only way to preserve the warranty is sending it to data recovery that is approved by Maxtor, Ontrack is probably the best known. Yes, I know it's expensive, I have customers that have soiled their britches when they got the bill, it's gonna be at least 2 grand on a drive that big.

[Colonel Sanders]

The HDD doesn't spin-up?

The motor burning up sounds highly un-likely, specifically because it spins at the same speed all the time with the exception of shutting down and powering up.

I would buy a second identical drive and switch the logic boards first. If that doesn't work, and you mess up switching the platters, then you have probbably just ruined 2 good drives(assuming they both had warranties).

The biggest problem with switching the platters would be makeing sure you have a driver for the screws holding the platters in place.

Look for hard-drive window mod how-tos for methods to keep the platters clean.

Good luck!
Logan

[HAL9000]

I used to have some old Samsungs do that and this is gonna sound nuts, but it has worked in the past. Power on the machine, hold the drive in your hand and give it a rapid twisting motion. It's quite often enough to get it out of the dead spot that it's sitting in and get the platters spinning. Sometimes a gentle tap with the screwdriver will get a stuck drive going too (don't hammer the heck outta it tho).

[dldz]

Thats Kinda funny HAL, but I being a mechanical kinda guy did that with an old Seagate in my early days not knowing better and it did work. Just a few slight taps ! I used the drive for about 6 mos afterwards till it really died.

[wolfie]

learned something new again

wolfie

[juppy]

Originally posted by wolfie learned something new again

Learned TWO new things here. I'd never heard the freezer trick OR Hal's "spin the hard drive" trick!

[HAL9000]

Freezing the hard drive usually works good for drives that develope the chronic "clunking".

[Sayajin]

Ahh well I just wanted to say that although I appreciate the help. I know all about the twisting, screwdriving, and freezing techniques. I was just wondering if it was possible to change the platters and the drive still work... I of course will try a new logic board first.. but I was like.. in case that doesnt work.

Sayajin

[highrisemech]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I would think that it would be easier to replace the motor that drives the platters than going through replacing the platters which would require clean room protocol.

[dldz]

I don't have the diagram handy but basically.. when ya remove the screws to open the assy the motor is less inconveinant than the platters. What he is talking about makes sense and I want to try it now i have only done the spin/tap /freeze methods.
Don

[RobH]

I have done the logic board swapout,on older HDDs,BUT the warrantee if any is caput if you mess with anything on that drive.

[Sayajin]

Well in order to get to the drive motor you have to actaully take out the palatters, since they are siting on the motor. So either way it really does not matter since you have to remove them anway to get to anything eles... Plus I am not worried about the drives warranties.. I just need to get the info back!


Sayajin

[Confused]

Don't you think you need a "clean room" if platters are being exposed?
Chas

[RobH]

I have "diddled" with a few harddrives in my days-and found that if you touch the platter no matter what you have on your hands-you leave a print,smudge,or some king of mark.I think best to leave to a professional extractor.

[HAL9000]

As for the clean room.... no.. not an absolute necessity. I have taken apart perfectly fine 80-200Mb hard drives and run them on the bench just to see one in action. They will run no problem, it's not like damage is immediate, but they will become more easily prone to damage.

[Ryan2318]

maybe you should try to get two really old and cheap drives. maybe 200 mb if you can find them or anything you can get. And try moving the platters from one to the other. See if you can actually get it to work even on that level. If you can then maybe you'll have some more confidence.

Also I have found that jewelry cleaners will clean the hdds and make them "look" like new no matter how much you smudge it up. Now I don't know if the drive would still work lets say if you put a fingerprint on it then clean it with the stuff but you should test it out. Just get another old drive and test it to see if it works after cleaning it with jewelry cleaner. You'd prolly want to just spray soem on and wipe it around with a lint free cloth then wash it off (hopefully water won't hurt) then use a bunch of lint free cloths till it dries up.