Notes from my 30 GB Hard Drive Installation

Hey Guys -

I just followed the FAQ and installed a second hard drive in my EMPEG. I thought that I would share my experience:

I bought an IBM Travelstar 30 GB Hard Drive from newegg.com for $300. They did not ship me jumpers or screws in the OEM pack. More on that below. Here are my comments:

1. The FAQ is great. Like they always say, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AT LEAST ONCE before doing anything.

2. I personally had a hard time with the case. I ended up bending the tabs an extreme amount knowing that they would not go back perfectly. It worked, but it wasn't very slick. I don't know if it is me or perhaps the FAQ could be tweaked a bit.

3. After I removed the case and unscrewed the shock mount, the hard drive did not want to come up. Having no way of seeing underneath the shock mount, I did not want to force it. Well I finally applied a fair amount of force and the mount came off, but the left rail stayed behind along with two grommets. It turned out that the rail was glued with a mild adhesive. It was easy to pop the rail off and re-insert the grommets.

4. If you are short on screws, I found them at Fry's. Even though 3 people told me they didn't have the right screws, there are low-profile screws that work perfectly in a $4 pack labeled "Multiple Screws & Mother Board Standoff's Variety pack for Computers" PA-PC-KIT 2390719.

Overall the install was smooth. Now its time to find a cheap 12GB Tivo!

pete

I ended up bending the tabs an extreme amount knowing that they would not go back perfectly. It worked, but it wasn't very slick.

Which tabs were you bending? The ones on the front top edge, just in front of the handle "grabber" hooks? What is "an extreme amount"? In degrees?

It turned out that the rail was glued with a mild adhesive.

Rob, Hugo, care to comment? First I've heard of this.

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Tony Fabris

That FAQ was written in the days of the Mk1 - I'm glad that it still works though:)
-mark

...proud to have owned an Empeg since 00287

Hey, I made sure to update it with the information for the Mark2.

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Tony Fabris

I'm not aware that the disk mount metalwork is glued. The rubber shock mounts are glued to the carriers, and threadlock is used where the carrier screws to the case - overspill from either one of these could cause the problem. My guess is that it was the threadlock.

Rob

Yes, I bent the top-front tabs. At first I pryed them up a little bit, but I could not slide the plate underneath the tabs b/c there was not enough clearance where the metal was bent over. (Times like this call for a digital camera - I hope this makes sense). Out of frustration, I chose the brute force route and bent the tabs up to 70 degrees or so.

pete

I dunno what was up with that. You should only have had to fiddle with them a little bit. Oh well, whatever works, right?

I've updated the disk drive FAQ and linked your comments. Thanks.

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Tony Fabris

70 degrees?! Wow! I was lucky I guess and didn't have to any bending. I used a screwdriver to pull on the tabs a bit as I slid the cover... I had to do it bit by bit and from side to side. Took a minute or so, but no bending. The drive sled was tricky. I remember it not coming out right away. I had to pivot it a bit and then it came free. The only reason I am mentioning this is so that others are not scared from doing a drive add-on...

The FAQ IS a livesaver!

32GB (JUST UPGRADED!) Mk. II BLUE
Detroit, MI USA
www.PfeifferBeer.com

I had to bend the tabs a little, but certainly not 70 degrees. I cannot stress enough that reading the FAQ several times, and taking you time, is the only way to sucess.
My pictures are here :
http://www.lotus.thepitlane.com/empegupgrade/dcmalbum.htm

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Rod, UK Mk2 64gig Red S/No.341

Tony, I think that a link to Rod's second drive installation images (http://www.lotus.thepitlane.com/empegupgrade/dcmalbum.htm) would be useful addition to the relevant FAQ entry.

Cheers!

Dragi "Bonzi" Raos
Zagreb, Croatia
Q#5196, MkII#80000376, 18GB green

And if we are lucky, maybe some text descriptions next to some of the photos! :) Great photos by the way. Brought back some memories!

32GB (JUST UPGRADED!) Mk. II BLUE
Detroit, MI USA
www.PfeifferBeer.com

I doubt that will happen, the FAQ is spot on already and adding text to the pictures may confuse more than help IMHO. I guess you worked out clicking any image gets you a more detailed view.

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Rod, UK Mk2 64gig Red S/No.341

I already did my install with just the FAQ and some Mk. I pics, so I guess you're right!

32GB (JUST UPGRADED!) Mk. II BLUE
Detroit, MI USA
www.PfeifferBeer.com

I suspect it isn't adhesive, but just some threadlock from the side screws that got out of hand.

Hugo

...would be useful addition to the relevant FAQ entry.

Done.


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Tony Fabris