With over 25 years in the data recovery industry, Bracknell Data Recovery is trusted by individuals, businesses, and institutions across the UK to recover data from IBM hard drives, including legacy and modern models. We specialise in handling severe mechanical faults such as grinding or scraping noises—often caused by internal head crashes or platter damage.
Common IBM Hard Drive Failure – Grinding or Scraping Noises
If your IBM hard drive is emitting grinding, scraping, or clicking noises, it is critical to power down the system immediately. These sounds usually indicate:
- Stuck or failing read/write heads dragging against the platter surface
- Head crash, where the actuator arm contacts the magnetic platter
- Seized spindle motor causing damage during initial spin-up
- Platter scoring due to mechanical failure or shock damage
Continued use can permanently destroy the magnetic surface, making data recovery much more difficult or impossible.
Our IBM Hard Drive Recovery Process
We approach severe mechanical faults using a precise, multi-phase process:
1. Initial Evaluation
Each drive is inspected in our electrostatic discharge (ESD) protected lab. We assess mechanical integrity without attempting to power up the drive, preventing further platter damage.
2. Head Assembly Replacement
If the read/write heads have failed or seized, we perform a head swap in a certified cleanroom. This involves sourcing an exact donor part and carefully transplanting the head stack assembly.
3. Controlled Imaging
Once new heads are installed, we create a full sector-level image of the drive using specialised hardware imagers capable of handling degraded or unstable drives. We image the drive in multiple passes, beginning with the most critical data sectors first.
4. Data Extraction
From the cloned image, our technicians extract data and reconstruct directory structures and file systems. We support NTFS, FAT32, HFS+, APFS, ext3/ext4, and proprietary IBM formats.
5. Data Verification
Recovered files are verified for integrity and completeness before being securely returned to you.
Supported Systems and Interfaces
We recover data from IBM hard drives across:
- Desktop and server systems
- IBM ThinkPad and legacy laptops
- IBM System x and blade servers
- Interfaces including SATA, PATA, SCSI, SAS, and Fibre Channel
Why Choose Bracknell Data Recovery?
- 25 years of data recovery experience with IBM drives
- In-house cleanroom facility for safe mechanical repairs
- Ability to recover from severe head/platter crashes
- Critical 48-hour turnaround service available
- Trusted by businesses, professionals, and IT departments UK-wide
Contact Bracknell Data Recovery today for a free diagnostic. Don’t risk your valuable data—let the professionals handle it.