Forums: Tool

Add Comment | Related Links | TrackBack
Related Content

ever find those 5-point torx drivers?

Hi, in searching around for an answer to my problem (opening a Seagate external drive) - I came across a thread you started about the same problem. I've also got one of those dang Seagate drives with the 5-point star screws inside. I've been searching around for a tool but can't find one.

To add to the confusion the term "Torx Plus" seems to be used interchangably to mean both the 5-point star that I need, and also a newer form of the regular 6-point star Torx that is just designed to "hold up under greater torque" (I think it might be slightly curved or something - seems like they could just use higher quality metal for that though).

Did you ever find a tool that worked? The only options I've found seem to be very expensive ($100+) and even then I'm not 100% sure what they're selling is actually what I need.

Worst case scenario I guess I can just break out the power drill and go to town but I'd rather not destroy the case - I just need to find out if the drive is IDE or SATA internally and I plan to mount it as an internal drive when I get a new PC in a couple months. Actually I've got 4 of the blasted things - definitely would have bought another brand if I knew about this ahead of time.

Thanks.

Colin Kriebel
Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:41:28 +0000

Yup: SK Hand Tool (SK 84231) 11 Pc. Tamper-Proof TORX Plus Bits Socket Set

I don't know if you saw this thread, but it'll help:
Screwdriver for 5-Point Star Screw

Chieh Cheng
Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:44:03 +0000

Thanks for the help. I did see those on Amazon, but for $85 I think I'll just drill the dang things out. Also I've got a different model drive than the one in the thread - the screws are recessed inside deep holes which are too narrow for my regular Torx bits to fit in, so likely either have to widen those or else get ones that are more like regular screwdrivers (or Allen wrenches) than bits.

It baffles me why Seagate is so determined to keep us from opening these - sure it voids the warranty but what do they care? It's just a hard drive in there. It's not like Nintendo using tri-wing screws on all their stuff to keep people out - that at least I understand (though it still a bit silly) since they're trying to prevent people from copying the games and hacking the consoles. All I want to do is turn an external drive into an internal one. I'll definitely buy a different brand next time I need an external drive. The old Maxtor externals I used to have were simple to disassemble (though the drives themselves were less reliable).

Oh well.

Thanks again.

Colin Kriebel
Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:45:10 +0000

The screws on my Seagate external drive also has deep recessed holes. When I first got the set of TORX Plus bits, I thought I might had and oversight on the deep recess. But it turned out that the TORX Plus bit are just long enough to reach the screws.

The proprietary screws are definitely a pain in the butt. If I knew, I'd probably not buy this drive either. I've just review the "AcomData E5 HybridDrive External Hard Drive". It came with standard philips screws. The case is fairly easy to take apart. I will post an disassembly article on it in the future. You might consider this drive if you like something easier to disassemble.

Chieh Cheng
Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:22:00 +0000

I'll definitely consider that Acom drive if I need one in the future. Right now I'm building a new PC in a huge case, which is why I wanted to open the Seagate externals - I want to use them as internal drives, and I also need to see if they're SATA or IDE internally so I can plan what I need to buy in a motherboard and extra interface cards.

I could leave them as externals but the automatic sleep mode & spin down delay is driving me nuts, and I'll have a lot fewer cables to deal with too (well they'll still be there I guess, but inside the case at least).

Thanks again for the info. I'll either pick up a set of the 5-point bits on eBay or just drill the screws out at some point, not building the new system until September.

Colin Kriebel
Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:42:40 +0000

Well, it's useless to take apart the AcomData drive. Because it uses an proprietary partition format. I wrote up an disassembly article, but can find no way to replace a different drive in the enclosure. See "AcomData E5 HybridDrive External Hard Drive Disassembly".

Chieh Cheng
Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:16:39 +0000

If you like the AcomData enclosure, consider looking at the Fantom Drives 500 GB Titanium II External USB 2.0 Hard Disk Drive (my review article), which is the same enclosure. Except that the interface is standard and you can replace the drive with any other SATA drive.

Chieh Cheng
Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:58:04 +0000

The only thing I could think off why Seagate used such screws is not just the warranty but if we run out of choice on opening this case we would end up shipping the unit to them and have them recover the files for us for the price of $200 to $1700.

I'd rather destroy the case than to pay that much. currently working on opening my 300G Seagate External drive.
Getting desperate to get my client's photos that I haven't burn to CD.

Alex Pascual
Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:18:15 +0000

I just bought a set of two 5-point Torx Plus drivers from Ebay for $8 (including shipping). Worked like a charm on the nonsensical screws in the Seagate.

Search under: "5 point torx plus leatherman wave" and you'll see them. The company apparently has many.

Scott
Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:50:52 +0000

I know the last post in this was a year ago, but I bought my Torx screwdriver set from sears (actually a big screwdriver set that has torx screwdrivers), and they work great. You can't beat the lifetime warranty,either. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941404000P?keywor . . . They have sets with different size screwdrivers, as well.

Brian Portelli
Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:37:19 +0000

Re: Brian Portelli and the Sears Torx Set. That is not neither a Security set nor a 5 Point Torx set. It is a STANDARD Torx 6 Point set.

While you could break the pin and jam one of these or a screw driver and force the Seagate screw out, if you want to take it out and attempt to preserve the warranty you need a Torx security 5 Point head with the hole for the missing pin.

RE: Alex Pascual I saw one seller with those on Ebay, but he didnt' list the size 5 Pt Torx that they are (believe it's TS 20 that's needed). I REALLY hope that you are telling the truth and not that seller just trying to get people to buy their item...
On Chieh Changs article about this there is A LOT of incorrect information with people recommending tools from Harbor Freight for example so I looked it up on line and went to see it in person... THEY DO NOT HAVE A 5 Pt set all those bits were 6 point and DO NOT fit correctly so there will be obvious marks for the removal effort.

Bdubslawman
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:01:44 +0000

Oops didn't mean the DBL negative ....I meant "That is neither a Security set, nor is it a 5 Point Torx set."

Bdubslawman
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:03:21 +0000

Sears does have a 5Pt Security set but it's over $125 + dollars.

Bdubslawman
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:04:32 +0000

Add Comment | Related Links | TrackBack
Related Content

Add Comment

Spam Control | * indicates required field

TrackBack

TrackBack only accepted from WebSite-X Suite web sites. Do not submit TrackBacks from other sites.

Send Ping | TrackBack URL | Spam Control

No TrackBacks yet. TrackBack can be used to link this thread to your weblog, or link your weblog to this thread. In addition, TrackBack can be used as a form of remote commenting. Rather than posting the comment directly on this thread, you can posts it on your own weblog. Then have your weblog sends a TrackBack ping to the TrackBack URL, so that your post would show up here.

Messages, files, and images copyright by respective owners.

Copyright © 2004 - 2024. All Rights Reserved.