From: nospam@needed.invalid   
      
   On Tue, 5/13/2025 8:43 AM, John Hasler wrote:   
   >  CtrlAltDel writes:   
   >> This is almost what I want to do, with the exception of throwing away   
   >> the guts of the perfectly functioning HDD.   
   >   
   > Do you understand how HDDs and SSDs work?  An HDD stores data   
   > magnetically on a rotating disk driven by a motor.  The data is read and   
   > written by a read/write head mounted on an arm driven by another motor.   
   > An SSD stores data electrically inside special-purpose integrated   
   > circuits.   
   >   
   > The only parts that an HDD and an SSD have in common are the connectors.   
   > None of those perfectly working HDD guts are of any use for the SSD you   
   > plan to build in that case[1].  You have to remove them to make room for   
   > the SSD parts.   
   >   
   >> Since you have the skill level necessary to do this, maybe you could   
   >> tell me how to do it.   
   >   
   > Start by getting a degree in electrical engineering with a   
   > specialization in electronics.  Or you could do as others have   
   > suggested: buy a small SSD and mount it inside the empty HDD case.  But   
   > what would be the point in doing that?   
   >   
   > [1] You might be able to salvage a few of the ICs for reuse.   
   >   
      
   I think there is almost room to do that, as it is.   
      
   Some controller boards are slightly elevated, and there are some foam   
   inserts to cushion the controller PCB.   
      
   You just have to make sure the plane the connector is in,   
   on the Z axis, is correct with respect to the drive outer dimensions.   
   That makes the project slide-in compatible with SATA backplanes,   
   and various kinds of trays for racks.   
      
   You void the warranty by opening the SSD casing. It's up to you   
   as to whether that is important or not. For example, some brands,   
   the warranty is likely useless in any case.   
      
   The disk drive design, presents the secondary side of the PCB   
   to the environment. There are no components on that side,   
   as a result. SMT components would get scraped off, if exposed.   
   That's why the controller board was rotated and turned inwards,   
   years ago.   
      
   Some of the connectors on the original HDD are compression types   
   (screwing down the PCB, helps the connectors mate). These do not   
   matter, when your SSD board is plugged in there.   
      
   I think the project is do-able, but doesn't seem attractive   
   to me, unless it opened up new operating possibilities.   
   Since the 2.5" SSD is already pretty compact, there isn't   
   much benefit to turning it into a much larger brick.   
      
      Paul   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)