24 Dec
2006
24 Dec
'06
12:46 p.m.
I've got the weirdest disk drive ever.
It's a standard 5.25" mounted inside a factory made metal enclosure. It
has a fixed power cord coming out the back with a power switch. Inside is
a simple power supply (transformer and a couple regulators and capacitors)
that puts out +5V and +12V. There's a power connector going into the disk
drive power socket.
Here's the weird part: there is no data cable. There is no port or
connector or anything on the enclosure for a data cable. There's not even
a cut-out for a data cable.
It's basically just a disk drive that powers up and spins if you put a
disk in it. I initially thoughtt that it must be a degausser or
something, but there's nothing inside that would indicate any such
operation.
OK, I admit it. I'm stumped.
No markings on the enclosure anywhere.
Any ideas?
Well, a few questions :
I think it's clear that a standard disk drive on its own, even with a
PSU, deson't do a lot.
Is there any evidence there was ever anything else in the box, like a PCB
that connected to the data connector on the drive? Mouting
holes/hardware, an extra power connector on the PSU?
Is the drive a standard model? Is the PCB on the drive standard too? I
assume it does have a data connector. Is it possible the drive's PCB has
been replaced with soem custom thing.
You say it roatets if you insert a disk. Does it rotate for ever, or just
for the normal few seconds to centre the disk on the hub?
-tony