Donor drive match checker
A donor drive is a second, working hard drive of exactly the same model that we take replacement parts from. When the read/write heads, the circuit board (PCB) or the motor of your drive fail, we fit the matching part from the donor in the cleanroom so the original platters can be read again.
The parts must match exactly. Heads, PCB firmware and platters are tuned to each other at the factory, so a donor needs the same model number, firmware, site code and often the same head map and production date. A near match can fail to read, or damage the platters you are trying to save.
Check a donor drive
Enter the details from the labels of your drive and the possible donor to see how closely they match.
Please don't try a transplant yourself. Opening a drive or swapping heads outside a cleanroom lets in dust that scratches the platters, and a wrong part can destroy the data for good. Use this checker as a guide only, and ask one of our engineers before you buy a donor or open anything.
Ready to send it in? Book your job online
Already know you want us to recover your data? Book the job directly and you'll get an email confirmation with your job number straight away. Then post or courier the device to us, or drop it off at the lab.
Get a fixed quote
The first conversation is free. We'll tell you whether the fault looks physical or logical, which price band it falls into, and whether a donor drive is needed. If it is, we send you a link to the exact match.
- General enquiries, Mon–Sat 9am–6pm020 7064 4996
- Emergency line, outside business hours020 7237 6805
- Email, usually answered within the hour during opening timessupport@physicaldatarecovery.co.uk
If a drive is clicking, buzzing or not spinning, switch it off now. Every extra power-on can scratch the platters.