hard drive components question

R

realoldies550

Geek Trainee
I have a Seagate hard drive that spins but won't boot. The write head snaps all the way to the right and returns to its starting point ten times, pauses, and repeats another ten times. With that comes the Disc Controller Failure error message.

The discs haven't been damaged. So I'm assuming the data on them is still readable -- it was until this started -- and that the issue is mechanical.

Why couldn't I carefully remove the discs and install them in another hard drive? Or find a Seagate model with the same electronics and replace them? From what I've read, that's what a data recovery service would do.

I've also read about clean rooms. But I also note that hard drives are sold for parts and that, if so, there must be a use for parts and, if so, parts can be successfully replaced outside that clean an environment. Am I right?

THX in advance -- 7-3 --
 
Welcome to hardwareforums Realoldies550! :beer:

First off, your best bet is to assume that you have lost everything on that disk (unfortunate, but quite likely).... I hope you haven't lost anything important!

However, since the data is lost... there's nothing to lose by trying extreme methods to get the drive (or platters) working again (and hopefully for long enough to read everything!).

before we start suggesting anything, do you have another hard drive that you can copy everything onto if your successful? (you do NOT want to be relying on that disk for anything, even if it seems fine if your successful in repairing it!)
 
I do have another Seagate hard drive, and a second computer.

Seagate #2's write arm has space for three heads, but the drive has only one disc. The other two spaces have no head ends. So the electronics are not interchangeable.

Yes. I took the cover off. I checked out the inside and replaced the cover, in a reasonably clean room, and it still boots.

I did notice that the two disc Seagate that won't boot has a scratch ring along the inside of the top disc. The write heads appear to be misaligned along this section.
 
You Asked
" if so, parts can be successfully replaced outside that clean an environment. Am I right?"
No. (I used to work in the industry. )
 
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