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Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3)

What you need

  1. Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3), External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 1, image 1 of 2 Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3), External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Run one of the heavy duty spudger's between the plastic top and the aluminium case. Begin from the USB connector end and slide to one of the sides; leave this in place.

    • There are no clips (in mine anyway) holding that case to the base, it's just a double sided sponge sticker.

  2. Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 2, image 1 of 3 Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 2, image 2 of 3 Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Granted it takes some force, but if you can get at least the left and the right side to pull away equally it will eventually give and come loose.

    • The result is a plastic case, housing the hard drive and electronics but thats easy to disassemble one you have removed the outer aluminum cover, as thats all it is. There is no other connection, even the holes for connectivity are just flush, they play no part in holding in the hard drive chassis.

    • In fact, if you like you can push the rubber feet through the aluminum case, as thats also part of the inner assembly. Just remember not to squeeze the aluminum case too tightly or malformed it as this in effect will just grip the internals even more making it even more difficult to remove.

  3. Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 3, image 1 of 2 Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Once the outer aluminium case it away your left with 4 small philips screws holding the actual drive in place, twi either side.

    • Take a small philips screw driver and remove these four screws.

  4. Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 4, image 1 of 2 Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Here comes the fiddly bit and if you ask me; overkill engineering.

    • In total, there are 12 plastic clips retaining a cage holding the hard drive in place. 4 on the long sides and 2 on the short. Using a spudger, run the plastic in from the connectivity side.

    • These clips are remarkably bendy, but they will break, mine did. The point to remember is if they do, it's honestly no hardship as the screws are really the guys that keep the drive in place anyway.

    • Once the assembly comes away from the white plastic top there is a black plastic piece that separates too. You are left with a thin steel enclosure protecting both the drive and logic board electronics.

  5. Disassembling Buffalo MiniStation External Hard Drive (Thunderbolt & USB 3): step 5, image 1 of 1
    • IF you fold back the steel enclosure you reveal the logic board attached to the hard drive by two small philips screws.

    • Thats it, your at the logic board. Reassembly is the reverse of these instructions.

    • A key point and lesson learnt for me here. When placing the enclosure back inside the white plastic case, start with the steel enclosure but leave off the black plastic retainer until the drive is nested in the white case with the connectivity ports realigned. If not and you try to place it back as it came out, the retainer will crease the steel.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

8 other people completed this guide.

spaceshipdev

Member since: 04/06/10

418 Reputation

1 Guide authored

15 Comments

I followed this guide but to prevent the breaking of the white plastic clips in step 4, I carefully slid pieces of cardboard, which I had cut up from a shop rewards card. After fitting the cardboard slips I was able to prise out the hard drive from the plastic case without breaking any.

Philip Lambe - Reply

Can hold 15mm 2.5" hdd?

Javier Vidal Moreno - Reply

Yes, there is room due to the excellent anti shock gap/space and foam.

Pay attention though, a larger tighter fit will reduce shock mitigation. There would be less space to take up room for movement when dropped.

spaceshipdev -

do you need to modify anything to fit in a 15mm drive please?

Alan Cai - Reply

15mm height would not fit, no.

spaceshipdev -

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