ST1000DM010 two clicks spin down, kills heads?

[DCC-PC3K]

Hi all,

I have a ST1000DM010 drive, it clicks twice and spins down and becomes DRD+DSC, auto detect works and correct drive info is displayed. Terminal shows the following:

FAIL Servo Op=0100 Resp=0003

I have opened the drive and inspected heads under microscope, no immediate damage or dust observed. Platter looks OK too free of dust and scratches.

I have swapped the heads with suitable donor (confirmed working before swap) but I get the same two clicks spin down in recovery drive. Putting donor heads back into donor now also gives 2 clicks and spin down (same terminal message).

I have swapped the PCB with a second suitable donor drive (and transplanted rom) to rule out some sort of power spike killing components, also swapped heads with the second donor, but still same issue. Again putting the heads back into donor two it clicks twice and spins down.

I’m confident it’s not user error when head-swapping (I’ve done it plenty of times) but something is killing the heads every time it spins up. I have tried head map editing in RAM but does not seem supported for F3 drives?

What else can you guys suggest to try and get some data back or what could be killing heads?

Thanks!

[Freakazoid]

FAIL Servo Op=0100 Resp=0003

Is in most case dead head.

probably bad surface on the underside, shown you can not see anything on the top surface

[DCC-PC3K]

Thanks for reply. I’ve checked the underside, no scratches or dust. I’ve tried editing head map in ROM (only has head 0 and head 1) but still two clicks and spin down.

Any other things to try is it looking like a no go for recovery?

[DCC-PC3K]

Ok so bit of an update. I compared the platters to three other donors I have and noticed the drive that needs recovering has a darker ring around the parked position of the heads, which the other donors do not have. If the damage to platter is actually on the parking position, what are recovery options? It is my understanding that if heads are not in correct parking position drive can not spin up properly and become ready.

Is it possible to modify so that new heads never touch this darker ring and still get drive to spinup and recover data? Interested to hear opinions.

[datasalvage]

i got same problems! heads changed 3 times and same 2 clicks and spin down! im very very sad. could you fix the problem?