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| Thread ID: 73562 | 2006-10-24 22:43:00 | How to disassemble an old hard disk? | barryk (8612) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 493781 | 2006-10-26 01:23:00 | One thing: install Linux or Mac on the hard drive first, then completely destroy it. :D ;) There's always an easier way - - :badpc: Put Windows on it - self destruction follows as a matter of course.:D |
R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 493782 | 2006-10-26 01:34:00 | I opt for using your house current...240 volts..isn't it? Just get a set of alligatir clips on one end of a pair of wires; the other end will have to be whatever spade type connection you have in your home and attach said alligator clips to any connectors on the HDD. I will be it will self-disassemble for you as you watch. |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 493783 | 2006-10-26 04:17:00 | That is indeed a Torx screw . The cellphone tool kits have a smaller (T6) driver . The disk drive one is probably a T8 . Take the drive in with you if you are buying a single screwdriver . . . otherwise get a set of bits . An Allen key will sometimes undo a Torx screw if you can find the size which fits snugly, but the proper driver is best . Option 1: Find the proper driver to unscrew the disk drive screws I went to DSE Takapuna today to have a look at their range of screwdrivers . I saw some ~$10 Torx sets and had a closer look at one or two of these, plus a cheaper ~$3 set . I could not tell if any of these screwdrivers would unscrew the disk drive screws . So I told the DSE person that I would have to get the disk into the store to look for a match with one of the drivers for sale . Or I could find a PC users network on the North Shore where someone may have the correct screwdriver? The next issue once I successfully unscrew the screws is: what do I do about the insides of the drive? Use a sledgehammer or do something else like erasing the disk contents? Option 2: Use a sledgehammer Risky . Might result in collateral damage to oneself . :eek: Option 3: Install another operating system on the old disk and then unscrew it to recover the insides for scrap . This would take a while to work out all the steps but if it works out, it could be the best viable option . Option 4: Apply an electrical current to the disk's circuitry (as suggested by a post in this thread Unless there's an electrician who knows what they are doing and in a safe manner (or I learn how to do this safely myself???), I wouldn't try this, I'd think it is hazardous . Overall Furthermore, I could go to a library to study what makes up the insides of a hard disk drive . I'll give you some info from the label on the drive-- Model: 91531U3 HDA: 13A PCBA: 10A Unique: 13A Code: FA520S60 Cylinders: 16383 Heads: 16 Sectors: 63 Jumper: J50 Master/Single: On Slave: Off 12V,5V (one solid line above a dotted line on the same line) Made in Singapore (Maxtor is the brand) What does all that mean? |
barryk (8612) | ||
| 493784 | 2006-10-26 06:02:00 | Back to basics, have a look at www.lara.com There is a size table included for Torx |
FrankS (257) | ||
| 493785 | 2006-10-26 06:49:00 | There's always an easier way - - :badpc: Put Windows on it - self destruction follows as a matter of course.:D Windows??!! No, it's good when you know it. :D |
pcuser42 (130) | ||
| 493786 | 2006-10-27 03:25:00 | What does all that mean? It means that what you call an "old disk" is something I would have killed for a few years ago. The "16384 cylinders/16 heads/63 sectors" tells you the capacity of the drive: each sector is 512 octets ("bytes"), so the disk is 16384 x 16 x 63 x 512. Of course, the numbers are lies, but they produce the correct number. There almost certainly won't[/b[ be 16 heads. :D One surface is used for the servo tracks, which make it possible to have that many tracks, so there should be an odd number of data heads. The number of sectors in a track varies with the position of the track: outer tracks are longer, so can have more sectors The "12V/5V" just means that it uses 12V for the spindle motor, and 5V for the controller logic board. The funny symbol says it works best ([b]only ;) ) on DC. Don't do silly things like connecting the mains to the connector. It won't delete the data on the disk. If you're concerned, use a wiping programme. But why bother? Once you have dismantled the drive (or just opened it up) who's going to bother? You're not the local CIA agent, with all your files on the NZ Govt on the disk. Are you? :D |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 493787 | 2006-10-27 04:01:00 | Windows??!! No, it's good when you know it. :D It's not what you know, it's what you avoid.:badpc: :badpc: :groan: Aiin't it lucky we have so many choices?:lol: |
R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 493788 | 2006-10-27 05:23:00 | I've got an old dead maxtor lying around that I was considering getting the magnets out of so I can magnetise my cheap screwdrivers, but all my torx screwdrivers are too big :(. | Greven (91) | ||
| 493789 | 2006-10-27 05:59:00 | Worst case scenario you could just drill the screws out. | somebody (208) | ||
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