Display HDD: Best way to clean platters?


  1. Posts : 195
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    Display HDD: Best way to clean platters?


    Today I was testing some old hard drives for my boss, and there were, of course, a few dead ones. Now I've seen an open hard drive before, but I've never actually disassembled one myself. So I asked my boss if he would let me have one to take apart, and he told me to go for it.

    So I successfully opened the drive but I unfortunately ended up getting a few fingerprints on the top platter. The platter is completely unscratched, and the parts without any fingerprints look so nice and shiny. I don't intend to actually use this drive (if I did I never would have taken it apart in the first place) but I would like to display it. So my question is: What would be the best way to go about cleaning my fingerprints off the platters without scratching them?

    Again, I never expect this drive to be in working condition ever again, but I do want it to look nice for display. I'm not as worried about dust, but I would like to at least get the fingerprints off. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,442
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #2

    Have you tried a microfiber cloth?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #3

    Wet a microfiber cloth with Windex and wipe it clean
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 195
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Ok, well I don't have a microfiber cloth on hand, so I'll update here when I get one.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 708
    Windows 7 x64
       #5

    Normal cloth may do.
    Did clean the finger print by using T-shirt.
    Make sure you have to hold both outside ring edge and inside ring edge for grip.
    I remove almost every hard disks, with total of 17 discs.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #6

    To make it very clear, cleaning HDD platter surfaces must be for display purposes ONLY. Opening a hard drive outside a "Cleanroom" and without the necessary skills and special precautions is likely to cause serious damage to the drive.

    I know of one article on a respected website that actually proposes cleaning the interior of a hard drive with compressed air and spraying it with lubricating oil as a maintenance procedure. I have pointed this error out to the website operator on 2 separate occasions, yet the article remains. I pity the poor individual who follows this advice.

    There is another article that gives amateurish instructions regarding a platter swap, one of the most difficult and demanding procedures used by data recovery professionals.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,047
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-BIT
       #7

    Opening hard drive should be done in an isolated place because the platter is very sensitive.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #8

    RoasterMen said:
    Opening hard drive should be done in an isolated place because the platter is very sensitive.
    Unless you have access to a clean room (and the vast majority of people do not) and the proper training on how to do it, you should never open a hard drive,
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 191
    Windows 7 Home Premium bit
       #9

    Tee shirt cloth from high in the back, fabric from bum part of cotton knickers(!), either, with some 70% + rubbing alcohol, unless you have denatured alc which works better.

    Or, take the screws holding the disks to the motor out, (<- 4 - 6 small torx screws) (unless your using a cold chisel for disassembly!), just turn top disk over & reassemble, = looks like new! Hey, its just for display, , ,

    -c-
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 708
    Windows 7 x64
       #10

    Lady Fitzgerald said:
    RoasterMen said:
    Opening hard drive should be done in an isolated place because the platter is very sensitive.
    Unless you have access to a clean room (and the vast majority of people do not) and the proper training on how to do it, you should never open a hard drive,
    From what s/he mentioned, as successful took out the platter.
    And for Display, so no need for clean room.

    S/He only want to clean the platter as accidentally touched the platter, fingers print.

    Open the hard disk (3.5") is not difficult, as i did on at least >10 hard disk, only keeping the platters & the powerful magnetic, as i keep them.
    Some of the platter do have burnt mark, and/or scratches.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:47.
Find Us