Incident : s-98293

Seagate ST3500841A 500GB in a Lacie enclosure.
The result of a previous, very unproffesional data recovery attempt.

The entire control zone( service area) and even the Index region (MFT/FAT etc) is totaly destroyed. This clearly indicates that the disk drive was operated for considerablle time AFTER the initial disk crash.

The hard drive has received a VERY hard mechanical shock during operation. Possibly dropped onto a hard surface. The read head is missing and the arm is deformed and in permanent contact with the media.

The above damage is caused by unsuccessful attempts to recover data from a drive with a brocken read head. Power should NEVER be applied (for ANY reason whatsoever) to any harddisk when a disk crash is suspected. This rule also applies when ANY unusual noise is heard from the drive.

Look carefully, you will see one of the read heads. It has been projected against the silicone sealant by the kinetic energy released at the moment the disk drive was dropped. This clearly proves thet the disk drive was dropped (or hit with a hard object) during operation.