Bracknell Data Recovery is Bracknell and London’s No.1 data recovery specialist for HGST (Hitachi Global Storage Technologies) drives. With 25 years of experience, we are highly skilled at handling critical physical faults such as stuck read/write heads—especially where the drive has been opened or tampered with. If your drive no longer spins or makes unusual clicking or buzzing noises after being opened, time is critical. Immediate expert handling can mean the difference between full data recovery and permanent loss.
Understanding the Problem: Stuck Read/Write Heads on HGST Drives
When a HGST hard drive is opened outside a cleanroom or mishandled during operation, the read/write heads can become stuck on the surface of the platters. This condition halts the motor, preventing the drive from spinning up. If power is repeatedly applied in this state, the heads can score the platters—permanently damaging the data surface.
Common signs of this fault:
- Drive not spinning or vibrating
- Soft buzzing or clicking sounds
- Drive seen in BIOS, but not accessible
- Drive no longer recognised at all
Our Technical Recovery Process – Step by Step
Our professional data recovery engineers follow a strict, controlled process to resolve this issue safely and effectively:
1. Evaluation in a Dust-Free Cleanroom
Once received, the drive is immediately moved to our ISO-certified cleanroom. This prevents any airborne contamination from reaching the exposed platters or heads.
2. Visual Inspection and Head Assessment
Our engineers examine the internal structure for visible damage. We assess whether the heads are physically stuck, bent, or have caused platter abrasion.
3. Controlled Head Removal
Using precision alignment tools, we carefully disengage the stuck heads without rotating the platters. This avoids any additional scraping or damage.
4. Head Replacement (If Required)
If the heads are deformed or non-functional, we source an identical donor drive and transplant a matched set of read/write heads.
5. Drive Reassembly and Imaging
The drive is reassembled in a sterile environment, then attached to an imaging system. We create a sector-by-sector clone of the disk to stabilise the data, bypassing the damaged firmware and avoiding further wear.
6. Data Extraction and Validation
We analyse the cloned image, rebuild file structures, and extract files onto a secure export disk. Our tools support all major file systems, including NTFS, HFS+, APFS, EXT, and more.
7. Secure Return of Data
The recovered data is provided on a new USB external drive or SSD, fully verified and encrypted if required.
Supported HGST Drive Types and Interfaces
We support all legacy and modern HGST drives, including:
- Deskstar, Travelstar, Ultrastar, CinemaStar, Endurastar models
- SATA (2.5” and 3.5”), PATA/IDE, SAS, and SCSI interfaces
- External drives branded under HGST or G-Technology
Supported File Systems & Environments
- File Systems: NTFS, HFS+, APFS, exFAT, EXT3/4, XFS
- Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, UNIX
Why Choose Bracknell Data Recovery?
- 25 Years of Specialist Experience
- Cleanroom for Safe Drive Opening
- Advanced Imaging Equipment for Damaged Drives
- No Outsourcing – All Work Done In-House
- Free Diagnostic Service
- 48-Hour Critical Service Available
Contact Our HGST Data Recovery Experts Today
If your HGST drive has been opened, dropped, or is no longer spinning, do not apply further power. Our team is ready to provide fast, professional recovery for even the most severe hardware faults.
Bracknell Data Recovery – Experts in HGST Drive Recovery with Stuck Read/Write Heads