What can you get out of your hard drive? Vacuum cleaner from an old computer hard drive

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If you have an unnecessary, old, or maybe non-working hard drive lying around at home and, in addition, you like to do interesting nonsense, then you are in the right place. Today we will look at one more, besides the main, use of a hard drive. There is nothing sensible or useful in this, but I hope you will find it interesting.

What do we do with an old hard drive?

The hard drive rotates at breakneck speed during operation. The process of how a hard drive works can be found in the article What do you think will happen if the drive is spun up to breakneck speed and let go for a walk around the world? This is exactly what our old hard drive will do. The following describes the process that precedes this fun.

Preparing an old hard drive

To prepare an old hard drive for this event, you need to remove its cover and remove the hard drive head, which is used to read information. If everything is done correctly, the hard drive should look like this:

As you can see, removing the magnetic disk itself is no longer a problem. This is exactly the result we need to achieve: the magnetic disk should freely come off its burrow, but this does not need to be done yet. When the time comes, he will get down from there himself.

What do we do next?

After that, we need to connect power to our old hard drive. This should be done from the computer's power supply. If we connect power to the hard drive and supply electricity to the power supply, our drive will start spinning. This is what we are trying to achieve. Now slowly lower the hard drive to the floor and begin to gently tilt it so that the open side is closer to the floor. Somewhere in a perpendicular position (plus or minus a few degrees), the disk will be able to fly off its hole. You can help him with this. Here, make sure that the direction of rotation of the disk does not coincide with your location. As soon as the disc comes off, it will speed out of sight across the floor.

The principle is probably clear. It's like toy cars, the wheels of which need to be charged in reverse motion, after which they will go quite far. It’s the same here: we charge our disk with kinetic energy and lower it to the floor. But unlike a toy car, you need to be a little careful. Since some hard drives can spin up to 15,000 rpm, you have something like a cutting wheel in front of you. Therefore, there is no need to place fragile objects or close friends in the path of the old hard drive.

But you shouldn’t worry too much about safety. The untwisted disk runs perfectly straight, so you can choose its trajectory yourself and not be afraid that it will turn in the wrong direction. We did not observe any destructive actions in relation to the floor and wall (the only thing in my case that was not afraid of coming face to face with the disk).

This is how you can make a new toy out of an old hard drive.

Solid-state SSD drives today have become quite accessible, if not for storing large amounts of information, then certainly for effectively upgrading a computer or laptop in order to increase its performance without the need to replace the motherboard, processor and memory.

For desktop computers, users, as a rule, purchase not very capacious SSDs, only for the operating system and system programs. Owners of laptops usually have to fork out a larger sum, because in addition to the OS and utilities, the drive must fit everything that was previously located on the old spindle hard drive, and two separate drives, for the OS and data, do not allow you to install everything in one laptop manufacturers.

However, in this article we will not be talking about SSD drives and their optimal choice. Few people think about the second part of the question: what then to do with disks that are “out of use”? Sell?

It seems that if the majority of users who have improved their computers in this way immediately decide to take such a step, the price of used hard drives will drop so much that it will be easier to give them away rather than make some kind of profit. In addition, often, in the case of an upgrade, outdated IDE ports on new motherboards may simply be missing, which eliminates the possibility of connecting a hard drive with such a connector. This fact usually automatically turns a seemingly working device into useless iron trash.

But what if you extend their life as an external storage device? Say, to store backup copies of your especially important work files or maybe a home photo archive? Why buy a ready-made external drive, often quite expensive, if you can perfectly use what you already have?

To implement such a solution, there are two options: an adapter that allows you to quickly connect and disconnect drives with one or more types of interfaces, as well as purchasing an external box with its own controller, into which the internal drive is rigidly fixed, turning into a full-fledged external one.

Today on the market there are several options of the first type and a great many of the second. However, AgeStar decided to do something special and thereby win back its share of attention and interest in its products from users.

This review presents four samples of the company’s products, each of which has something special that distinguishes this particular gadget from any other analogues.

So, let's start with adapters.

Adapter for SATA drives AgeStar SUBP (USB to SATA)

The easiest and most convenient way, without any docking stations, disassembling the case or even turning off the power, is to temporarily connect any hard drive with a SATA interface to a computer. At the same time, the adapter is perfect for both 2.5-inch laptop drives and standard 3.5-inch drives.

The list of its obvious advantages consists of two items: compactness and low price. The gadget is really amazingly small and can easily fit in your fist. On the other hand, to use it you will need a power supply, which itself is twice the size of the adapter. But to power the drive port, a regular power supply is easily suitable, which, for example, is used in today’s routers and any other devices with a 12-volt power supply and a “plus” on the central contact of the connector. Both the power supply and the USB cable are removable, making them easy to replace.

The extremely narrow “specialization” of the adapter is a little disappointing - exclusively SATA devices and work only at USB 2.0 speeds, but on the other hand, its price is only 18 USD.

Universal adapter AgeStar FUBCA (USB - SATA + IDE)

This adapter is functionally very similar to many available on the market today, but this is only at first glance.

Firstly, it can communicate perfectly with both SATA and IDE devices, both 3.5” and 2.5” form factors. In addition, unlike all other similar adapters, AgeStar FUBCA is equipped with its own switch, which allows you to first correctly connect the drive or drive to the connectors, and plug the USB plug into the corresponding port on the motherboard and, only then, supply power to it. The risk of accidentally “shorting” contacts on electrical connectors is reduced to zero.

If you install the special utility program FNet PCClone EX Lite from the included disk, you can use the backup button, which is located directly on the adapter body.

There is a certain trick with connecting the power supply to the drives. There is a MOLEX (male) connector on the rear panel of the adapter. The MOLEX “female” is located on the power supply cable included in the kit. In addition, the adapter patch cable is equipped with another “power” “tail” with a USB connector.

So, when connecting 2.5" SATA drives, a power supply is not needed at all. The available current that "comes" from two USB ports is sufficient for it with a reserve. For 3.5" SATA drives or 5.25" optical drives, the cord from the unit The power supply is inserted into the MOLEX connector on the adapter.If you are connecting an IDE device, the MOLEX from the power supply must be plugged into it.

This is a cunning scheme, but AgeStar FUBCA, unlike the vast majority of all other similar adapters, is capable of launching and maintaining the operation of a hard drive in tandem with modern TVs due to additional power via USB... It’s only important that the TV has these two USB- connector or you will have to buy a corresponding power supply for it. Not a bad option for only 23 USD.

If you decide to turn your hard drive into a completely independent device with simple and convenient connection and disconnection, then you will need an appropriate box (also known as a case), which is appropriate in all respects, from the form factor of the interface connector and power supply, to overall dimensions.

Unfortunately, today it is almost impossible to find cases for hard drives with an outdated IDE interface, so to operate them in modern conditions you will have to be content with the adapter described above.

As for boxes, today purchasing outdated models with a USB 2.0 interface is, to put it mildly, unprofitable. The volumes of information that need to be transferred are increasing, which means few people want to waste time copying, say, a movie in high definition. The solution to the problem is USB 3.0, the data transfer speed of which is 10 (!) times higher than the speed of the previous generation interface - nominally up to 5 Gbit/s versus, today already ridiculous, 480 Mbit/s.

Another question is that there are not yet many modern cases for drives of various form factors with a USB 3.0 interface on the market, at least in our companies and stores, and those that exist are usually quite pricey.

In this light, a good option for choosing a box for drives that have recently left the “bowels” of your laptop, that is, a 2.5” form factor can be used ox for AgeStar 3UB2O7 Black drive

With its impressively affordable price - only 13 USD. This box is built quite competently. The designers provided in advance some kind of, albeit passive, disk cooling system, which is also one of the panels of the box.

The panel is metal, it removes heat quite effectively, which made it possible not to cut the ventilation holes in the case body, which means both the drive and the controller inside will not once again be exposed to the danger of any contamination or spillage of liquid. However, for transporting the box with the drive, it comes with a nice little case, so this risk is slightly reduced.

In order not to make the box too heavy, the designers left the second panel - the top one - plastic and covered it with small cells for beauty. In addition to the case, the AgeStar 3UB2O7 also comes with a screwdriver, so you can mount the drive into it almost on the go.

Further use of the case as a portable hard drive is quite traditional: we connect it, wait for initialization and enjoy the high read/write speed. In fact, it turned out to be really good, on par with ready-made models of external drives with a USB 3.0 interface.

Hard drive box AgeStar 3UB3A8 Black

Another box, at a price almost twice as expensive as the previous one (24 USD), but more massive and with additional accessories included.

This case is designed for 3.5” form factor drives with a SATA interface and, given its dimensions, is suitable for stationary installation rather than for mobile use. In addition, there is no built-in power supply, which means that you would have to carry it everywhere along with the disk itself.

The kit even includes a special stand, thanks to which the hard drive can be turned into a nice piece of furniture, since the top metal cover of the box is decorated with a large silver pattern in the form of a Chinese dragon. When the case is placed on the stand, the picture takes on a vertical position and therefore appears before you in all its glory.

Passive cooling, despite the presence of a large metal plate from the body structure, is implemented in the form of small holes made along the lower edge of the plastic base. The holes, of course, do not work as efficiently as the fans inside the computer case, but no strong or, even more so, fatal overheating of the drive during active load was noted. As in the previous case, the kit includes a screwdriver and the entire necessary set of fasteners.And, again, as in the previous case, the case is equipped with a USB 3.0 interface, so there are no issues with the speed of reading/writing data to the hard drive.

In this publication, we will look at what can be made using an unnecessary old hard drive.

Neodymium magnets in a computer

First you need to unscrew several screws that secure the housing parts. Under the cover we see a neodymium magnet. Hard drives use very powerful magnets that can lift up to 1,300 times their own weight.

All modern drives always have two magnetic head block limiters and, accordingly, 2 neodymium magnets. To remove the 2nd magnet, you need to unscrew another screw and remove it together with the holder or first unscrew the block of magnetic heads and then pry it off with a screwdriver.

The uses of neodymium magnets are almost limitless. For clamps and fasteners, toys and entertainment, cleaning engine and transmission oil, searching for treasures and lost iron objects under water, making engines and generators, restoring the magnetic properties of other magnets and much, much more.

Mini sandpaper made from a hard drive

To do this, you first need to transfer the dimensions of the disk onto sandpaper; this can be conveniently done using a compass. You should use fine-grain sandpaper so as not to overload the engine. So, cut out the outer diameter with scissors and the inner diameter with a stationery knife.

Glue the sandpaper where possible using glue. But in order not to wait for a long time for the glue to dry and so that you can easily change the sandpaper, you can use double-sided tape.

The emery is already ready. We connect it to the connector from the computer power supply and use it. Despite its small dimensions, this sanding machine is quite powerful. Its power is enough to sharpen screwdrivers, pencils, chisels and carving knives.

How to eliminate PC noise

Often old computer cases make a lot of noise. One of the reasons for this problem is the direct mounting of the hard drive to the PC case. When reading information, the disk develops enormous speeds and, accordingly, a slight vibration appears, which is transmitted to the entire computer case. A small manufacturing defect, poor soldering or a screw not tightened completely in the case lid will always remind you of this.

To fix this problem we just need to cut 4 rubber strips. This could be old bicycle tubes, deflated children's balls, or a piece of silicone car mat. We screw the ribbons to the hard drive and attach it to a new place just below the DVD-ROM or even instead.

Overall, an excellent result is obtained, since all vibrations are absorbed by the rubber bands. This device can also be called an anti-shock. If you accidentally kick your PC, it will have no effect on the hard drive.

If your hard drive is broken and cannot be restored, then, as in the joke, you can get an ashtray, a mirror and a magnet from it :) In fact, you can get MUCH more, and I will now tell you how to do it and what is there interesting.
If you don’t have a faulty hard drive (hard drive), don’t be upset, contact your computer friends, friends, or any computer service center, they should definitely have such copies (usually men in workshops are too lazy to throw away old junk). The “older” the disc, the better: before, they didn’t skimp on material and all sorts of things.

For the master class, I took as many as three pieces (I saved for a long time) to show the possible differences (although they are usually all different, you will never guess what is under the cover this time) In addition to the hard drive itself, we will need screwdrivers (minimum - Phillips and flathead (" +" and "-"), maximum - a set of screwdrivers as in the photo in the upper left corner, namely a hexagonal star attachment).

This photo shows that there are different thicknesses. It’s better (if you have a choice) to take a thicker one, there may be a bonus: not one, but even two or three mirrors! Plus all sorts of other things.

If the “screws” (the slang name for a hard drive) are like this (from a similar company), then it will be easier for you; you only need Phillips and straight screwdrivers, they are usually found in every home. I don’t know where, but I came across ALL hard drives from this company with cross mounts...

Like this

Unscrew the bolts and take a flat screwdriver (as a lever, so it’s better to be stronger)

We place a screwdriver under the lid and, turning it slightly, go around the perimeter. The lid is usually glued to something similar to silicone, so simply pressing the lever does not work well, especially since you can break something inside with a sharp movement.

Does not work? Is there something stopping you from opening it? Still would! Manufacturers are not fools:) there are always one or two. or even three hidden bolts under the stickers :) Feel with a screwdriver and you will find dimples that can easily be picked out with the same straight screwdriver. That's where I had it hidden :)
And another tip: when you unscrew the bolts, you don’t need to do it one by one, you need to loosen each one by half a turn or a turn and only then unscrew them completely, otherwise it may turn out that the last one or two cannot be unscrewed due to the skew of the lid. Also IMPORTANT: when the bolt does not want to come off, you do not need to turn it with force - this way you can scratch out either the screwdriver or the hole. You need to press the screwdriver with almost all your weight perpendicular to the product, and while pressing, lightly try to turn it. The harder you press, the better. I even had to unscrew fasteners that my husband couldn’t unscrew =) The main thing here is technology and accuracy, not strength =) Although strength is still needed, if your hand is tired, it’s better to get to work in a couple of hours, when your hand has rested.

So, we did it all. And what beauty is inside the lid! Everything sparkles :)
Someone will decide that beauty is needed to admire it and will leave everything as it is, but I’m greedy :) Therefore, I’ll analyze it further.

Now you need to untwist the top elements one by one. It's better to start with a magnet and a "prickly thing." And as a warning, when unwinding, use the method I described above, since in the middle everything is usually screwed on very tightly and you can ruin the whole thing.

After the magnet is unscrewed (sometimes, by the way, it is not screwed in at all, but simply fixed on the protrusions in the case), we remove the upper part of the magnet with the same lever screwdriver, just be very careful, it can become magnetized back and knock off your fingers! The lower part of the magnet (most often it is not a magnet, but just a piece of iron) can also be screwed on, or can simply be easily removed after removing the magnet

Now it comes to the mirror. There are many difficulties here:
first - the element rotates and you need to hold it tightly and press down to unscrew all the bolts
second - it is very easy to scratch the mirror with a screwdriver, and then these scratches will not be pleasing at all
and the third - according to the law of meanness, if you don’t follow the rules that I described above - the last bolt ALWAYS turns out to be tightly screwed... here you already have to tinker, rest and tinker again (after all, for the first and second reasons you need to unscrew it carefully)
BUT the result of greed is always the same: after all, everything gets promoted and very interesting and beautiful things are obtained: in the photo there is a ring with holes...

The mirror itself (here you should rejoice and clap your hands - especially if there are several mirrors)
By the way, now do you understand why it is called “hard drive”?
The disk must be removed carefully by moving the little thing to the right (I call it a mouse, I’ll explain why later)

When all the mirrors have been removed and the joy has subsided, you can unscrew the motor (located under the disk) and the “mouse”. The “mouse” can simply be removed from the base upwards, or it can be screwed on.

I don’t know, maybe it’s a bad photo, but in this circle in the middle there is a depression. You're lucky if, in addition to the recess, there is a transverse slot - this means you can unscrew this cylinder with a regular straight screwdriver. I was unlucky - and therefore we take a closer look at the recess, or rather at its shape. For me it’s a hexagon - which means I take it from a set of screwdrivers (there is also a set of wrenches - men should know) approximately suitable in size and twist.

That's it! Only now I realized that I never took a photo of the “mouse”:(((But I think if you look at the other photos (and especially if you look at it yourself), you will understand why this is so. When the cylinder is removed, you get something like an “eye” "mouse. And the sharp end is its nose. Some old hard drives used colored wires, and when I tore the cable of the “spiky thing” from the mouse, funny antennae wires stuck out at the tip of its nose :) That’s why the “mouse”

Let's return to our trial. This is what we ended up with. This thing can be used in different ways: as a hammer :), as an ashtray (you just have to screw the motor into place and cover the holes with something), or it can be used in some other way, I think you shouldn’t have any problems with its use.
But first we need to turn it over and unscrew something no less valuable to us.

We unscrew 4-5 bolts (I think an intermediate photo is not needed) - and lo and behold! In addition to the cool circuit (from which, if necessary, you can remove the microcircuits, or use it as your own decoration), we also have a miracle foam rubber. It’s a miracle, because it is unique in density, softness, etc. It was from this that I made the pupils for my felted dragon, but you can cut out anything you want! Sometimes the foam rubber is covered with film on one side, and sometimes without it. If the hard drive is very old, the foam rubber is uninteresting, and most often burnt here and there.

Here are our treasures :)
By the way, maybe your imagination can tell you WHAT can be made from bolts? I already have a SEA of them, in different sizes and colors... maybe your imagination will tell you? :)

Below I provide more photos of possible disassembly options based on the example of other hard drives

You just need to pry up a piece of metal and peel it off a little from all sides; the glue, as you remember, is like silicone and it stretches. The main thing is not to bend

This time there was another surprise in store for me - a metal ring under the lid. At first I thought it was a magnet and was happy, but the magnet effect created a very tenacious glue.

You can disconnect the circuit immediately, even before disassembling the entire “screw”. Especially when it is attached with a cable that can be accidentally torn if done the other way around.
The train comes out easily, just pull it.

This is the advantage I talked about when I pointed out the thickness of the hard drive. Here the top cover turned out to be very roomy, and there are only two holes in it (they can either be sealed or the same bolts can be screwed in), this is an ideal ashtray :) or a container for small items... you decide.

Before we start gutting your hard drive, let's talk about data security. A "dead hard drive" means that the drive is not functioning properly, and any attempts you make to recover data programmatically have failed. If the disk contains really important data, and you suspect that there may be an eccentric who will decide to get it, then erase the data so that it is not recoverable :). Although, if the only valuable thing on your screw was stolen rips of Bon Jovi concerts, then your hardware is ripe for all sorts of DIY projects (Do It Yourself projects).

In principle, all DIY projects with hard drives can be divided according to the level of technical knowledge and skill of the experimenter. Let's start from simple to complex :).

Extraction of spare parts

The simplest but most useful thing that can be obtained from a hard drive is magnets. Hard drives use super strong magnets and can be used in any household. Here is an example of how one character built a knife holder for the kitchen. He took a wooden plank, extracted the core with a chisel, and stuffed magnets into it.

In general, of course, he did this in vain, because when a friend has knives at hand, it’s not far from everyday life :). It’s good that I didn’t catch the pans.

They are also often used to magnetize screwdrivers or as refrigerator magnets.

Let's add more creativity

Ordinary screw pancakes can be turned into a steampunk clock. To do this, you will need a few parts, which you can find in hobby stores, or try to discreetly borrow your granny's alarm clock.