Hard Drive Data Recovery
Toshiba DT01/DT02 Desktop Data RecoveryDT01ACA050 / DT01ACA100 / DT01ACA200
Toshiba DT01 and DT02 desktop drives use Hitachi firmware architecture internally, a result of Toshiba acquiring Hitachi GST's 3.5-inch HDD assets as part of the WD-HGST merger regulatory divestiture. The correct PC-3000 module is Hitachi, not Toshiba. Using the wrong module will fail. We recover Toshiba DT01/DT02 Desktop drives using our PC-3000 system's Hitachi (NOT Toshiba) module at our Austin lab.
Critical: Use Hitachi PC-3000 Module, Not Toshiba
These drives use Hitachi firmware architecture internally despite Toshiba branding. The correct PC-3000 module is Hitachi. Using the Toshiba module will fail and can cause further damage to the firmware.
Toshiba DT01/DT02 Desktop Specifications
Toshiba DT01 and DT02 desktop drives use Hitachi firmware architecture internally, a result of Toshiba acquiring Hitachi GST's 3.5-inch HDD assets as part of the WD-HGST merger regulatory divestiture. The correct PC-3000 module is Hitachi, not Toshiba. Using the wrong module will fail.
- Manufacturer
- Toshiba
- Form Factor
- 3.5"
- Spindle Speed
- 7200 RPM
- Interface
- SATA
- Capacity Range
- 500GB-6TB
- Recording Technology
- CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording)
- PC-3000 Module
- Hitachi (NOT Toshiba)
Recovery Feasibility
Standard 3.5" Hitachi procedure, not Toshiba. Match model, head count, firmware.
Model Numbers
The following model numbers belong to the Toshiba DT01/DT02 Desktop family. Check the label on your drive to confirm it matches one of these models before referencing the failure modes below.
6 models in this family
Failure Modes
Each failure mode requires a different diagnostic approach and recovery technique. Identifying the correct failure is the first step before any work begins.
Head failure
Standard head failure. These drives use HITACHI technology internally. The correct PC-3000 module is Hitachi, not Toshiba.
Symptoms you may notice
- Clicking sound
- Drive not detected
- Desktop not booting
Related search terms
Firmware corruption and PUIS errors
Capacity 0 from firmware corruption, PUIS (Power-Up In Standby) errors. Burnt PCB also common.
Symptoms you may notice
- Drive shows 0 capacity
- Drive not spinning up
- PCB burn marks visible
Related search terms
Head Swap and Donor Matching
Donor Requirements
Standard 3.5" Hitachi procedure, not Toshiba. Match model, head count, firmware.
We maintain a donor drive inventory at our Austin lab and can source additional donors when needed. Head swaps are performed in our ISO Class 5 clean bench environment.
Recording Technology
This drive uses Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR). Each track is independent, making sector-by-sector imaging more predictable than SMR drives. Write operations do not affect adjacent tracks.
CMR simplifies recovery because there is no media cache layer to reconstruct. The data layout on the platters directly mirrors the logical block addresses.
How We Recover Toshiba DT01/DT02 Desktop Drives
Firmware-Level Recovery
We use the PC-3000 with the Hitachi (NOT Toshiba) module for firmware diagnostics and repair. This handles translator corruption, service area damage, and firmware boot failures.
Firmware recovery preserves the original head assembly and avoids the risks of a donor swap. For Toshiba DT01/DT02 Desktop drives with firmware corruption, this is the first recovery path we attempt.
Head Swap Recovery
When the heads have physically failed (clicking, grinding, or no spin), we perform a head swap in our ISO Class 5 clean bench environment. This involves sourcing a compatible donor drive, removing its head stack assembly, and transplanting it into the patient drive.
After the head swap, we image the drive sector by sector using the PC-3000, skipping unstable areas and returning to them with adjusted read parameters. The goal is a complete clone before the donor heads degrade.
Pricing
Logical and firmware recovery for Toshiba DT01/DT02 Desktop drives typically costs $300 to $600. Head swap cases requiring a donor drive run $600 to $1,500 depending on head count and donor availability. Clean bench platter work, when needed, is $1,200 to $2,000.
See our full pricing breakdown for details. Our No Data, No Fee guarantee means you pay nothing if we cannot recover your files.
Hard Drive Data Recovery Standards & Verification
Our Austin lab operates on a transparency-first model. We use industry-standard recovery tools, including PC-3000 and DeepSpar, combined with strict environmental controls to make sure your hard drive is handled safely and properly. This approach allows us to serve clients nationwide with consistent technical standards.
Open-drive work is performed in a laminar-flow bench filtered to 0.02 µm, verified using TSI P-Trak instrumentation.
Transparent History
Serving clients nationwide via mail-in service since 2008.
Media Coverage
Our repair work has been covered by The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider, with CBC News reporting on our pricing transparency. Louis Rossmann has testified in Right to Repair hearings in multiple states and founded the Repair Preservation Group.
Aligned Incentives
Our "No Data, No Charge" policy means we assume the risk of the recovery attempt, not the client.
Technical Oversight
Louis Rossmann
Louis Rossmann's well trained staff review our lab protocols to ensure technical accuracy and honest service. Since 2008, his focus has been on clear technical communication and accurate diagnostics rather than sales-driven explanations.
We believe in proving standards rather than just stating them. We use TSI P-Trak instrumentation to verify that clean-air benchmarks are met before any drive is opened.
See our clean bench validation data and particle test videoFrequently Asked Questions
Why does the Toshiba DT01 use the Hitachi PC-3000 module instead of Toshiba?
What are PUIS errors on Toshiba DT01 drives?
What causes PCB damage on Toshiba DT01 drives?
Can you recover a DT01 that shows 0 capacity?
How much does Toshiba DT01 desktop recovery cost?
Other Toshiba Drive Families
We also recover these Toshiba hard drive families.
Not a hard drive issue? We also recover SSDs, RAID arrays, and iPhones.
Hard Drive Recovery Overview →Other Recovery Services
Nationwide Mail-In Data Recovery Service
We serve all 50 states with secure mail-in data recovery. Ship your failed drive to our Austin lab using our free shipping kit, and we'll diagnose it within 24-48 hours. No geographic limitations—we've successfully recovered data for customers from Alaska to Florida.
Popular Service Areas
Toshiba DT01/DT02 Desktop drive not working?
Ship it to our Austin lab for a free evaluation. No data, no charge.