Forum Home
Press F1
 
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
493771 2006-10-24 22:43:00 My old Maxtor hard disk has a number of very small 6 pointed star shaped screws. These screws are of 0.5cm diameter.

www.imagef1.net.nz

Where do I find the right screwdriver to unscrew these very small screws?

Are there other things I need to do to disassemble the hard disk? :badpc:
barryk (8612)
493772 2006-10-24 22:54:00 Go to DSE and buy a cellphone repair kit, check the screwdriver size before buying though.

After that, all you need is brute force and ignorance. I am assuming that you don't expect the drive to work after dismantling.

If it is still working and carries data you want, leave it alone because it's an odd's on bet you will kill it if you take it apart. Just breathing over it when open can be enough to corrupt a platter.

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
493773 2006-10-24 23:15:00 My old Maxtor hard disk has a number of very small 6 pointed star shaped screws. These screws are of 0.5cm diameter.

www.imagef1.net.nz

Where do I find the right screwdriver to unscrew these very small screws?

Are there other things I need to do to disassemble the hard disk? :badpc:

DSE sell all sorts of screwdrivers and those ones that take multi bits.
Its pretty much just a matter of tkaing its cover off and you'll see all its workings in there.
pctek (84)
493774 2006-10-24 23:53:00 Alternatively a cold chisel and a mallet has been known to be quite effective... Tony (4941)
493775 2006-10-25 00:00:00 You can get those Torx (I think) type screwdriver bits from any hardware store (Eg. Mitre 10), or DSE as mentioned before. I bought a 24-bit set for around $10, which has just about every screw bit I would ever want to use. somebody (208)
493776 2006-10-25 00:00:00 Alternatively a cold chisel and a mallet has been known to be quite effective...

Nothing wrong with the hickory handled, manually powered, percussive persuader eh? One size fits all.
R2x1 (4628)
493777 2006-10-25 00:11:00 Nothing wrong with the hickory handled, manually powered, percussive persuader eh? One size fits all.

Or a sledgehammer. There is one in my dad's storeroom nearby. It might do the trick?! :badpc: :)

It's just an old hard disk that is waiting for taking apart.
barryk (8612)
493778 2006-10-25 00:59:00 Or a sledgehammer. There is one in my dad's storeroom nearby. It might do the trick?! :badpc: :)

If you do hit it with a sledgehammer, make sure you were eye protection ;)
stu161204 (123)
493779 2006-10-25 03:19:00 One thing: install Linux or Mac on the hard drive first, then completely destroy it. :D ;) pcuser42 (130)
493780 2006-10-26 00:48:00 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.
Graham L (2)
1 2