Western Digital Passport: anyone taken one apart?

HN

Diamond Member
Jan 19, 2001
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My laptop is needing an upgrade to it's 30GB 4200rpm :eek: drive. I've had the passport awhile and would rather use the drive from that than buy a new one. Anyone have experience with removing the hdd from the rubber/aluminum casing? there are no obvious screws or clips.
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
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I think the case is designed to Snap Open ... find a seam and pry with a screwdriver
Also check all over and under labels for any Screwheads ... you can do this with a
small magnet .. if you find any, they should be removed before you try to pry open
the case. Do not expect the case to be reusable unless you are very careful / lucky
 

HN

Diamond Member
Jan 19, 2001
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Originally posted by: bruceb
I think the case is designed to Snap Open ... find a seam and pry with a screwdriver
Also check all over and under labels for any Screwheads ... you can do this with a
small magnet .. if you find any, they should be removed before you try to pry open
the case. Do not expect the case to be reusable unless you are very careful / lucky

Thanks for the tips. I think i'm going to have to scrap this idea altogther though, as the drive in the passport only has a 2mb buffer. time to spend more money.
 

TJones2

Senior member
Oct 27, 2004
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Mine is the black plastic version. Just ran my fingernail between the seam till it pops open in the front, then sort of twist it for the back and work it off. Did it with no damage and the drive is working fine in my Macbook. Keep in mind, the drive inside could be SATA or PATA. You can use WD Utilities to find out, but if its a 2mb buffer, I'd guess PATA.