Recovering data from hard drives with seized spindle motors

Recovering data from hard drives with seized spindle motors

Seized spindle hard drive faults are a relatively new type of hard disk failure. They occur when the spindle that rotates the hard disk platters becomes seized, often due to the drive receiving a knock.

Types of drive affected:

• Any external hard drive that has received a knock / jolt whilst powered on
• All Seagate 7200.8 models
• All Seagate 7200.9 models
• All Seagate 7200.10 models
• All Seagate 7200.11 models
• All Seagate 7200.12 models

What are the symptoms of a hard drive with a seized spindle?:

• The drive will not be recognised by the computer
• The drive may make a faint buzzing sound (NOT a ticking sound that indicates a head fault)

What causes a seized spindle?: The most common cause is the hard drive receiving a sudden knock or jolt when powered on.
Why does the spindle seize?: Only a small part of the spindle comes in contact with a (relatively) heavy part of the hard drive. Even a slight knock is sufficient to make the spindle seize.
Is it possible to recover the data from hard drives with seized spindles?: Data Clinic can recover the data from almost any drive that has a seized spindle as we have the specialist equipment required to do so. Please call us on 2348062611277