Data Recovery from hard disk 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 +44-161-761-9140 (international) or 0871 977 2525 to discuss what we can do for you.

> Data recovery from EXTERNAL hard disk drives
> MAIN data recovery page

Please note that all modern hard disk drives are manufactured to very high standards, fail infrequently and have very similar rates of reliability.

> Data recovery & IT professionals: Click here for training courses for the repair and data restoration from faulty Seagate hard disk drives

Stripdown of hard drive motor components

seized spindle external hard disk drive
Seized spindle problems occur commonly on all types of external hard disk drive, especially after the drive has been knocked

Seized spindle faults are also common on Seagate hard disk drives