Introduction: DIY USB "Hard Drive"
Using a dead Hard Drive, a 4-port USB hub, and a few Flash Drives, we will kill some time and get a few laughs from anyone seeing you use this.
**NOTE**
You guys can see MAKE magazine's rip-off article of my project at:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/03/weekend_project_flash_memory_hard_d_1.html
Thanks for the credit MAKE, I really appreciate it....
**NOTE**
You guys can see MAKE magazine's rip-off article of my project at:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/03/weekend_project_flash_memory_hard_d_1.html
Thanks for the credit MAKE, I really appreciate it....
Step 1: Find a Candidate.
Any Hard Drive should do..
Step 2: Dismantle..
Take the Hard Drive apart...
Step 3: Compare
Make sure your USB hub will fit, either with the plastic case on, or not...
Step 4: Hub
For this purpose, I removed the plastic case.
Step 5: Install
I placed the "nekkid" USB hub into the area where the platter used to be.
Note: I was only placing this temporarily, if I was going to keep this mod permanent, I would glue the hub in either using epoxy or hot glue.
Edit: I forgot to mention, if this was going to be used permanently, I would coat the circuit board with epoxy, just like I do with Flash Drives.
Note: I was only placing this temporarily, if I was going to keep this mod permanent, I would glue the hub in either using epoxy or hot glue.
Edit: I forgot to mention, if this was going to be used permanently, I would coat the circuit board with epoxy, just like I do with Flash Drives.
Step 6: Flash Me!
Now add your Flash Drives, you may have to remove the casing for some to fit well.
Step 7: Button It Up.
Replace the cover to the Hard Drive, and plug in!
Now you will have a "new" Flash Drive that will be sure to get some comments.
Also, there is a way, I haven't done it, but with a certain flavor of Linux, you can install Linux onto all 4 of the Flash drives in a RAID configuration, assuming you have all the same capacities.
Have fun!
Now you will have a "new" Flash Drive that will be sure to get some comments.
Also, there is a way, I haven't done it, but with a certain flavor of Linux, you can install Linux onto all 4 of the Flash drives in a RAID configuration, assuming you have all the same capacities.
Have fun!