How to Open External Maxtor HD (5000LE)?

[fortunekitty500]

Does anyone know how to open up the Maxtor 5000LE external hard drive? I think mine is dead...I can hear the motor but I get an error message from windows when I plug in the USB cable.

I'm hoping to crack the case open and use the HD in another case and hope to retrieve the data. There are no obvious screws, etc. around the case... Please help! >:(

Thanks!

[mortimusmaximus]

I had a similar problem and it was my usb add in card.

Try it on a different computer.

[fortunekitty500]

Already tried it on 3 computers (XP, G4, Powerbook). I don't even get a message in OSX...nothing happens.

So frustrating as i've got all my music in there!

[mortimusmaximus]

Found this thread.
http://www.d-a-l.com/help/archive/index.php/t-10535.html

This thread on a newer drive but it may give you some clues as to maxtors assembly techniques.

http://www.erowid.org/devel/misc/archives/000083.shtml

[willy]

I saw a fairly common way for the external enclosures to 'hide' the screws is to use a face plate to cover them with double-sided sticky tape. Once you (carefully) remove the face plate(s), the screws will be exposed. Acomdata uses this method. I think I/O Magic is the same too.

You may want to examine your Maxtor in this direction.

[fortunekitty500]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Finally just used brute force and popped it open there were no screws anywhere hidden or otherwise. Free broken case available! :D HD still OK inside.

[bug]

I was going to suggest that you RMA it, but I guess not now. :)

[Oversized Rooster]

I'm glad you retrieved your drive safely from that box. I don't know why people use these huge (physically) external drive enclosures to begin with!