Elastic drive suspension in a Sonata case
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 2:21 pm
I've just spent a relatively painless 15 minutes suspending my two Maxtor DM+9 drives underneath the removable 3.5" drive trays in the Sonata case.
Unfortunately I don't own a digital camera so I can't show you what I did, but I'm borrowing a picture from Mr Smartepants and you'll just have to let your imagination do the rest:
Here's the deal:
1) Pick up a removable drive sled and flip it upside down. Note that it can be slotted into the case either side up.
2) Pull a length of elastic cord through the holes with the rubber grommets, leaving two loops hanging underneath the inverted drive sled. The grommets will prevent abrasion. Make the knot on the topside.
3) Attach the screws that normally go through the rubber grommets directly to the underside of the harddrive.
4) Suspend the hardrive (topside up) under the inverted drive sled. Loop the elastic cord around each screw on the underside of the hardrive for secure mounting.
5) Depending on the length and elasticity of the cord you might want to put a few small foam pads around the drive to cushion impacts againts the sides and the drive sled. Note that the drive will be a little off balance and will have a tendency to topple. The rubber grommets will help prevent slippage but it's probably a good idea not to make the cord too long.
That's it. It's probably not quite as effective as suspending the drives in one of the 5" bays but it made a huge difference for me compared to the standard grommet mounting. And the best part is that the drives are just as easy to remove as before!
EDIT: Updated the instructions a bit.
Unfortunately I don't own a digital camera so I can't show you what I did, but I'm borrowing a picture from Mr Smartepants and you'll just have to let your imagination do the rest:
Here's the deal:
1) Pick up a removable drive sled and flip it upside down. Note that it can be slotted into the case either side up.
2) Pull a length of elastic cord through the holes with the rubber grommets, leaving two loops hanging underneath the inverted drive sled. The grommets will prevent abrasion. Make the knot on the topside.
3) Attach the screws that normally go through the rubber grommets directly to the underside of the harddrive.
4) Suspend the hardrive (topside up) under the inverted drive sled. Loop the elastic cord around each screw on the underside of the hardrive for secure mounting.
5) Depending on the length and elasticity of the cord you might want to put a few small foam pads around the drive to cushion impacts againts the sides and the drive sled. Note that the drive will be a little off balance and will have a tendency to topple. The rubber grommets will help prevent slippage but it's probably a good idea not to make the cord too long.
That's it. It's probably not quite as effective as suspending the drives in one of the 5" bays but it made a huge difference for me compared to the standard grommet mounting. And the best part is that the drives are just as easy to remove as before!
EDIT: Updated the instructions a bit.