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Open a LaCie external hard drive

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Arnaud-lm Posted messages 22 Status Member -  
 Youpiiiiii -
Hello everyone,

I recently bought a new LaCie 500GB external hard drive (ref 301285E) in a store.

Everything was fine until the beginning of the week.

The hard drive is no longer recognized, and for good reason: the casing smells burnt, the LED no longer lights up, and the drive doesn't spin inside the enclosure.

I hope it's just a component that has burned out; in that case, I can open the casing and buy another one.

But if that's not the case, I'll lose my HDD, which is still under warranty...

So I have two questions:
1/ How do I open this case?
2/ Are there any "markers" inside that indicate it has been opened (pieces of plastic, glue spots, labels, etc.)?

Thank you in advance!

4 answers

  1.
    Arnaud-lm Posted messages 22 Status Member 6
     
    I just tested the transformer, it delivers exactly what is stated on its label: the problem doesn't come from there ...
    5
    1. baron
       
      Bonjour, j'ai un disque dur LaCie Desktop Hard Disk 500 Go (USB 2.0) je pense que c'est le même que toi. Le boîtier doit être mort, que as-tu fait quand tu as démonté le boîtier ?
      0
      1. berapard > baron
         
        Good evening,

        It seems that LaCie external hard drives are quite familiar with issues: mine (1 TB) is no longer recognized by my PC and it cycles, first making a slight takeoff noise and then a lighter clicking sound.
        In your opinion, has the hard drive taken a hit or can the data be recovered?

        Thank you for your help

        Philippe
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      2. supergg > berapard
         
        To determine if it’s the hard drive or the USB enclosure, you should take the drive out of the enclosure and connect it internally.
        If it still isn’t recognized, in my opinion, the drive is dead and so are the data.......
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    2. supergg
       
      mine is a 1TB disk but they are made the same way
      the best is in image
      http://membres.lycos.fr/ourson1/Extraire_01.jpg
      http://membres.lycos.fr/ourson1/Extraire_02.jpg
      http://membres.lycos.fr/ourson1/Extraire_03.jpg
      http://membres.lycos.fr/ourson1/Extraire_04.jpg
      http://membres.lycos.fr/ourson1/Extraire_05.jpg
      http://membres.lycos.fr/ourson1/Extraire_06.jpg
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  2. Youpiiiiii
     
    For my part, I managed to open it by inserting a pair of nail scissors into the groove above the LED. There was a little click, and it came off on its own..... finally!
    2
  3. docsteph Posted messages 8467 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 192
     
    Good evening,

    by opening your case, your warranty is voided, unless you manage to open it without leaving any marks (which I doubt because you are likely to have a hidden screw under a sticker)

    regards
    0
    1. Arnaud-lm Posted messages 22 Status Member 6
       
      That's precisely what I would like to know from someone's experience... I also think I'm dreaming a bit, but oh well...

      Have you ever done it based on this model?

      Thank you for your response!
      0
    2. docsteph Posted messages 8467 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 192 > Arnaud-lm Posted messages 22 Status Member
       
      I've never had to disassemble a Lacie, but observe, feel around. Then look at the shape of the screws; if you make even a single scratch on them, the warranty is void.

      The disk is in your hands, not mine.

      Best regards.
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    3. Arnaud-lm Posted messages 22 Status Member 6 > docsteph Posted messages 8467 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      Thank you!

      But there are no external screws, neither under a label nor under a pad.

      I keep looking...
      0
    4. docsteph Posted messages 8467 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 192 > Arnaud-lm Posted messages 22 Status Member
       
      What material is the case made of?

      Best regards
      0
    5. Arnaud-lm Posted messages 22 Status Member 6 > docsteph Posted messages 8467 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      In this case, I really feel like it's metal (photos as soon as I've retrieved my camera).

      Everything seems to be fitted together, there's nothing visible...

      More info coming soon!
      0
  4. stefstef
     
    The case is held by 6 small tabs, distributed on 3 sides (all except the power side).

    To open it, you need to force a bit by prying each side with a screwdriver.

    There is no risk of breaking the tabs; they are only 1 mm thick and are sturdy.

    Nothing will indicate that the case has been opened.

    Finally, in my case, it is indeed the small power board that has burned out (the small blue LED no longer lights up).

    The drive is connected directly via internal SATA connection.
    (ouch, I held my breath -> 20 years of 3D archives on it!!!!)

    The symptoms were the same as those described earlier in the thread.
    A small noise when powering on (zzzzzz) as if the drive was trying to start, then nothing... then zzzzz.

    That's it.
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