Data Recovery Case Study - October 2018 Shattered Platter

Manufacturer: Seagate

Model: ST9320325ASG

Failure: Physical

Number of Heads: 4
Heads Failed: 4
Firmware: 0009APM1
Capacity: 320GB

Client's hard drive was brought to our lab after an apparent drop from 2 feet from the desk/table. Hard-drive was used in a Toshiba notebook and was installed as an aftermarket drive. The client was complaining that rambling sounds were heard coming from the laptop.

After going through a thorough inspection we have determined that the top platter was completely shattered into multiple pieces. The bottom platter suffered multiple scratches and chips. All 4 heads were damaged beyond repair.

We strongly suspect that the drive has not fallen from 2 feet as the client is insisting, but has gone through a serious and multiple amounts of hits received by an unknown heavy object. Possibly removed from the laptop and then inserted back since the laptop had no signs of physical damage.

Recovery was not possible. Partial recovery was also not possible due to the fact that both platters have acquired serious and irreversible damage.