How to open a Seagate external drive case?

kwikbreaks

I have a number of external USB drives including a couple of Seagate ones of this type...



I'm considering getting a caddy that takes bare drives so want to get the drives themselves out of the casings. I've had a hunt around and there are some videos for dismantling different styles of disk but I can't find anything useful for this type. Obviously the case needs prising apart to free some internal lugs but I'm not sure where they may be and don't how much force I can use.

I can obviously just use brute force to get the drive out but would prefer not to damage the casing if possible so has anybody had one of these apart and can offer advice?

TIA

System

If there are rubber feet or labels on the base then prise these off and check underneath. A favourite place for hiding case screws.

kwikbreaks

Thanks for the idea but I've already checked and there aren't

kwikbreaks

Any ideas from the afternoon shift?

John_Gray

kwikbreaks wrote: »

I have a number of external USB drives including a couple of Seagate ones of this type...

Once you've opened (and perhaps destroyed!) one case, then you know how to open all the others without wrecking them...!

kwikbreaks

That thought had occurred to me however as I only have 2 of that type a 50% destruction rate is worth reducing if at all possible.

Basil1234

ask a stupid question here but if are already an external drive why do you want to rip them out and fit in a caddy other than looks don't see the point just spending good money after bad or am i missing something here?

kwikbreaks

I've got them in a cupboard hooked up to a media player. If I want to add or delete data I have to remove the drive + psu + cable and take it to a computer. I've currently got each one connected up to a usb switch and plugged into an (individually switched) mains extension so using (2) caddies would make it more convenient, tidier, and expandable. If I don't bust the casings I can maybe flog them on eBay to offset the cost of the caddies.

dogmaryxx

Few different types shown on You Tube

kwikbreaks

Yes as I said I've already looked and couldn't find any info on my case type which is why I posted a picture of it. The Freeagent case is different.

kwikbreaks

I'll post up the answer in case anybody searches later...

The sides of the case have a number of hooked mouldings and the top moulding has some rather fragile moulded slot pieces that hook over these. In theory you could gently prise the side slots apart while pushing the top and bottom together allowing the slots to release. Once the mouldings are separated (or in my case the bottom of the slots break off) the top hinges up from the front allowing you to remove the metal box housing the drive itself.

It would need a very steady hand with a couple of wallpaper scrapers pushed into the gaps at the sides of the casing to avoid damaging the moulded slots. This is a similar sort of technique that is used to dismantle the Mac Mini (see YouTube videos). I'll try to avoid damaging the second one but don't hold out much hope.

The casings would be reusable for personal use even when damaged ( gaffer tape ) but not saleable on eBay which I had intended.