Maxtor Basics 1TB External hard drive fell on the floor

[Jon Clare]

Ishouldn't have placed the hard drive where I did but I did and now itwon't spin

 

Itfell off a pile of magazines about 18" high onto a carpetedfloor and now all that I can hear is an intermittent beeping noisethat continues for about 2 minutes and then turns itself off

 

I'vechecked various Youtube videos and it seems that the heads may bestuck on the platter. Therefore, I've dismantled the drive andattempted to pull the head off the platter.

 

Iopened the drive cover and the head wasn't in park - it was overtowards the spindle

 

TheYoutube videos all show the presenter placing his torx screwdriverinto the spindle and turning the platter anti-clockwise whilstpulling the head off the platter into park

 

Myspindle has a smooth centre and so I can't put a screwdriver into itas there's nothing to grip onto. And, I can pull the head off butonly to the very edge of the platter and not further. It willprobably go further but never having one this type of thing before, Idon't know how much force can be used. Using a gloved hand, theplatter will not spin at all

 

I'vebought another drive to back up the data onto but cannot get thedrive to spin.

 

Anyoneany ideas ?? When I dismantled the Maxtor case, there was a SeagateBarracuda ST31000111AS drive inside. The drive seems to have 3platters

 

Anotherforum has said that the drive is now junk as I didn't open the drivein a clean room (although this is presumed by the person who repliedas I didn't say this). However, there are many many Youtubevideos that say that the drive can be opened and data recovered if you're not looking to use the drive again as a main drive

 

Thanksin advance

 

JonC

[KenB]

Hi Jon and welcome to ExTS

 

Everything I have read stipulates that the platter and mechanical assembly of a hard drive should not be accessed as microscopic dust particles will collect on the surface and render the drive useless.

 

As you have opened it you literally have nothing to lose so try re-assembling it and slap the drive down on a solid surface.

Connect it up again.

If no luck try a little more force.

 

I have my doubts - even if you do get it to spin again - that you will be able to access the data on the drive.

Please let us know if you can.

 

One other thing you can try ....

Wrap the drive in cling-film then put it in a freezer bag.

Put the drive in the freezer over night then try accessing it again.

This may seem odd but freezing causes the mechanical components to shrink marginally - which may be enough to free up the spindle.