This is my first post at Bit-Tech, dont know why i didnt start earlier!! This ProjLog follows my quest to successfully window a HDD. Well, i have managed it, it has been on stress test for a week and has so far come up trumps. Here follows the ProjLog... Step -1: Drink 5 pints, to relax nerves Step 0: Get all the kit together: A Donor-drive a Fret-saw a full set of torx-bits some perspex some small files a full 10L 3000psi dive tank some tin-foil a tupperware box kitchen towel a small blow-torch some 2-part epoxy Step 1: Clean the drive, to remove any dust, slightly damp paper towel is fine. Step 2: Prepare the storage Chamber Line a tupperware box with tin-foil. possibly the cleanest thing you could have in your house, and it's anti-static. Step 3: Void your warranty! pull off that annoying "Warranty void if removed" sticker Step 4: Open the drive Using whatever tools that are appropriate detatch the drive from it's top cover UPSIDE-DOWN in order to avaid dust settling on the platters. Step 5: Place the drive in the tupperware box, still upside-down if possible, i.e if the motor is high enough to stop the platters touching the tin-foil. cover the box with more foil, and put the lid on. Step 6: Cut the drive top, however you see fit. This drive DIDNT have a spindle-top screw, which is fortunate, as i suspect that removing this could de-stabilize the platters. Anyway i cut right round the top, use whataver shape you like. Smooth out the edges, and REMOVE ANY METAL SHAVINGS. This is Most critical. Step 7: Cut, shape and finish the perspex top. I cut the same shape as the top of the drive cover, then smoothed the edges with sand paper and then flame-polished the edges. DONT REMOVE THHE PROTECTIVE FILM UNTILL YOU ARE ABOUT TO EPOXY IT TO THE DRIVE TOP!. Step 8: Prepare some Epoxy I decided to use 5-minute epoxy, for speed..... Finally... Once the Epoxy has FULLY set, give the inside of the top a goooood blast of air, i.e 3000psi of VERY clean breathing air, to remove ANY dust or debris. and re-attach the top Now for Testing I decided to use my external USB2 drive housing incase of problems. I plugged everything in.... turned the power on... the drive spins up... and windows can see it... good sign.... my computer... G: ...IT'S ALL THERE! WOOHOO! but no celebrations yet, testing..... Test 1. Read - OK Test 2. Write - OK Test 3. Format - OK Test 4. chkdsk /r - All good Test 5. Wrire large file (6GB) - OK! Test 6. delete - ok Test 7. write 6GB of small files - OK (and cool to watch!) Test 8. Delete them - OK Test 9. Stress 4 hours of cnstant read-write - OK the drive has been on full soak test for 12 hours and has shoown no signs of problems, TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!! And remember, let me know what you think... have you tried this and how did you do? and how did you do it?
