Hard Drive Enclosure

I had an old unrepairable iBook, pulled the 2.5 HD out and found on TigerDirect.com 2.5 hard drive enclosures for $20-$40.
Installed it, hook it up to my new MacBook, went in disk utilities, formatted it fat32, so it will read on the other OS @ work. It has been working great so far.

You shouldn't be afraid to try this by yourself, since the whole procedure is so simple (as long as you're familiar with such specialized tools as screwdrivers 😉 ). It will take minutes and you'll save money !

The most (well, rather) difficult part is the mini's opening but since it's dead you probably don't care too much about harming something...You'll find lots of tutorials to do it (google is your friend !).

Then you will have to find (easy,there's plenty of choice) a external HD enclosure ( 2'5 format, not 3'5) and plug your hd in it...And you should be set !

As for transfering your data : Apple supplies new macs with a specialized app called "migration assistant" that'll help you in the process of backing up data to you new mini.

You'll have then the choice to keep the old hard disk as security backup, or to format it for later use as external HD for the intel mini.

Hope that will help !

Speaking of HDD enclosures, does anyone know of any kits for externalizing a 3.5" IDE HDD where the kit looks like/closest to an apple-designed product?

I found this one: http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=74916&tab=PICTURES&zoomimg=74916_K.jpg#pi cture

but I'm still looking for a design that is simpler/cleaner and looks more-so like my mini. Thanks!

Farad F,

How about one of these?
Comes with Firewire and acts as a USB hub. As the name would lead you to believe, you stack your mini on top of it.

-Wayne

I highly recommend those Newertech units. I use one with each of my Mini's and they are great!

If you install a fast 3.5" drive your Mini will actually perform better if you install OS X on it and run it form there instead of the internal Mac Mini drive.

As far as the OP - Taking apart the Mini is a b!tch, even if you don't care about it. You'll need to fashion a pry tool from a medium size putty knife (it needs to be sanded to more of an angled point). Once you do, popping open the Mini is not overly difficult, just be careful of your fingers. Now that you have the case off, there are several screws that need to be removed.

I mean I'd do it in a heart beat but it sounds like you're not too sure. I don't think it would be worth it to pay someone to pull out your used hard drive. Take the same amount of money, invest in a nice large (up to 750GB!) 3.5" HD and pick up a Ministack.

🙂
Greg

Edit - Ah, just noticed you'd like to get your old files off! Send me your Mini, I'll pull out your hard drive, install it in a 2.5" enclosure for $10.00
🙂

Thanks a lot! Exactly what I was looking for. 🙂