You do not own device if you cannot open it, I read on some forum. Or more probably you just want to swap disks not breaking the case. If you are owner of this portable disk you will find neither screws nor guidance how to open it up. On the wave of opening different plastic cases, here comes my “how to“.
My company laptop has SSD for system and extra HDD for large library of installers or vmware images. Having a chance to get USB HDD replacement I ordered 1TB to swap HDD disks. To my surprise new device looks ugly because it is really thick (22mm comparing to typical 12mm) and is designed not be opened – no screws, no instruction, stiff case hard to bent even fraction of millimeter.
I spent a quarter to open it up in a reversible way. Metal tools like screw drivers will surely leave marks on the edges. If you do not have plastic pry tool (GSM shops sell it for pennies) use guitar plectrum as I did.
Interesting thing is that inside I found Samsung label. I did not know that Seagate acquired Samsung HDD branch last year.
Delivery pack. Ugly thick case, surprise!
First push in the plectrum. Start with shorter edge with USB
Two, unlatch the corner and them move along longer edge
Tree, push plectrum and bend the case, some studs will crack (sorry)
Case opened, note dozen of latches keeping case stiff.
Case opened, note dozen of latches keeping case stiff.
Disk in rubber suspension. This is why it is so thick (shock absorption margin)
Shock absorbers removed
Silver sticker (right) removed, controller PCB detached.
Old credit cards and the like work great too. I use a thin screwdriver to get the first card started, then carry on with the screwdriver combined with a bottle opener tool on a Swiss Army knife, because they have round edges, and leave a row of cards in the gaps.
My Seagate Expansion Portable Drive 1TB harddrive case got damaged. Please let me know from where in India, should I get the original case of the model shown above. Its urgent.
You tell me, I am not from India. Get yourself any 2.5″ HDD case (USB2/USB3) for SATA disk from ebay/aliexpress/wherever, put the disk into it and carry on with your tasks 🙂
Apparently, the internal HDD size is not 2.5 inches. I ordered the case, but the HDD won’t fit in. It recognizes in the PC, but wont fit perfectly. It is bigger than 2.5
Great post, great photos.
Thank you for taking the time to share.