How to Swap Hard Disk Drive Platters
Know that this is only a last resort., Set up a clean work environment., Assemble and layout your tools. , Use powder-free latex gloves. , Ground yourself!, Remove the cover of your dead drive., Once the cover is off, inspect the platters., Set the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Know that this is only a last resort.
You have tried everything else, your data is not extremely important, and/or your cash flow restricts the use of a professional service. -
Step 2: Set up a clean work environment.
You can not make a super clean environment at home but use some common sense, and do the best you can.
Keep air flow to a minimum. ,,, If you don't know what is, or how to do it, ask Google. , If the cover doesn’t just lift off, look for more screws! There are screws under labels. , If they are scratched, scorched, warped, or otherwise damaged, stop you are done! , You can still try if you like. ,, Make sure you can read and write data to and from it. ,, This is your chance to learn how they are assembled, if you slip and damage parts you can get a new donor.
NOTE: if you are dealing with multiple platters they cannot be removed without the proper equipment, because misalignment of the platters will destroy any chance of recovering data.
You need a platter removal tool.
The next steps are only if you are dealing with a single platter. ,,,, You might only get one or two chances to read from the HDD.
It might make some horrible noises. , Continued use of the HDD is ill-advised. -
Step 3: Assemble and layout your tools.
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Step 4: Use powder-free latex gloves.
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Step 5: Ground yourself!
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Step 6: Remove the cover of your dead drive.
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Step 7: Once the cover is off
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Step 8: inspect the platters.
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Step 9: Set the cover back on - if the platters are physically damaged chances are you will not be able to recover any data.
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Step 10: Purchase a new HDD with the same model number and firmware version.
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Step 11: Test the new HDD.
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Step 12: Remove the cover from your donor HDD.
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Step 13: Remove the platters from the donor HDD.
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Step 14: Remove the platter from your dead HDD.
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Step 15: Reassemble the donor drive with dead HDD’s platters inside (make sure all the platters are aligned in the same way towards each other as they were in the old drive).
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Step 16: Mount the donor drive.
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Step 17: Quickly copy your data.
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Step 18: Unmount the HDD and discard it.
Detailed Guide
You have tried everything else, your data is not extremely important, and/or your cash flow restricts the use of a professional service.
You can not make a super clean environment at home but use some common sense, and do the best you can.
Keep air flow to a minimum. ,,, If you don't know what is, or how to do it, ask Google. , If the cover doesn’t just lift off, look for more screws! There are screws under labels. , If they are scratched, scorched, warped, or otherwise damaged, stop you are done! , You can still try if you like. ,, Make sure you can read and write data to and from it. ,, This is your chance to learn how they are assembled, if you slip and damage parts you can get a new donor.
NOTE: if you are dealing with multiple platters they cannot be removed without the proper equipment, because misalignment of the platters will destroy any chance of recovering data.
You need a platter removal tool.
The next steps are only if you are dealing with a single platter. ,,,, You might only get one or two chances to read from the HDD.
It might make some horrible noises. , Continued use of the HDD is ill-advised.
About the Author
Robert Kelly
A passionate writer with expertise in hobbies topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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