Intrepid voyage: data recovery

[parning]

I am about to embark on a voyage into uncharted (for me) territory: data recovery.

After having read the posts in the archives, I think I know what my plan is:

I have a WD 21200 that started making "clanging" noises unexpectedly one day, two days before the monthly backup! (talk about timing!) I'd really like to be able to recover the files off of it.

I haven't tried the "freezer trick" yet, but I think I'll do that first before the true dive-in:

I have purchased an identical drive (Baber.com, good prices, quick delivery) in preparation for a hardware swap. My question is this:

What parts do I swap? Just the board? Or is there more to it?

Before I actually break out my collection of nonstandard screwdrivers that hasn't been used in years, I would like to know if there's a trick or other Something I Need To Know before I cause irreparable damage.

Basically, I don't want any surprises. I know all the usual stuff about handling sensitive electronic equipment and all that.

Thanks

------------------
#include <disclaimer.h>: I didn't do it, nobody saw me, you can't prove anything, I swear I checked her ID first! Oh, and the opinions expressed herein are my own and not those of my employer.

[MacGyver]

If you really need to get the files off of it (business files, no backup) then I would use a professional data recovery service. Yes they are expensive but they do the job. If the data on the HD isn't all that important, then hey, start unscrewing.

------------------
All this technology, and I still can't download a pizza!

[parning]

This is just a home computer, but I was working on a l-o-n-g transliteration of a manuscript in Middle English, and I'd really not have to start all over!

That'll teach me to do backups once a WEEK instead of just monthly!

------------------
#include <disclaimer.h>: I didn't do it, nobody saw me, you can't prove anything, I swear I checked her ID first! Oh, and the opinions expressed herein are my own and not those of my employer.

[Antimatter]

Make sure the drive is identical! Try swapping the controller first. Easiest thing to do. From then on things get trickier. If you have a stuffed head maechanism(most likely)and the data is really important, send it to a data recovery place that removes and directly reads the platters. If the data isn't that important you can swap over the head mechanism. Skeptics, it does work from time to time! Make sure you're in the best, cleanest dust free environment you can find. Those platters are really sensitive. One bit of dust in there & scratched platter. Good luck!

------------------
"It wasn't me... honest"

[parning]

Yes, the new drive is the identical make/model/everything to the old one. By "controller" do you just mean the card and associated guts?

Fortunately, for the disks part (if it gets to that point), I have a good anatomical cadaver to work with - my first hard drive was an old full-width full-height 32MB monstrosity that now lives on my desk with its shell off, acting as a bookend.

------------------
#include <disclaimer.h>: I didn't do it, nobody saw me, you can't prove anything, I swear I checked her ID first! Oh, and the opinions expressed herein are my own and not those of my employer.

[Antimatter]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by parning:
Yes, the new drive is the identical make/model/everything to the old one. By "controller" do you just mean the card and associated guts?

</font>

Yes the IC card on the underside of the drive.

------------------
"It wasn't me... honest"

[parning]

Pray for me... I begin the process this weekend!