This old miniStack: Installing a new drive, new fan
One of the most useful external storage devices I’ve ever owned is my NewerTech miniStack. Why? Because, with integrated USB and FireWire hubs, it’s a lot more than just a hard drive.
A few weeks back, my ever reliable miniStack v1.x—purchased way, way back in 2005—developed a whiny cooling fan—and its original 160GB drive, though still functioning fine, was only just big enough to hold my ever growing iTunes Library and software backup. It was time to put this Swiss Army Knife of peripherals under the knife to squelch that fan and install a fresh 500GB drive.
Why a 500GB? Because that’s the sweet (ie cheap) spot in the ATA drive market right now. At the time of purchase, Trans International had the best price on a 500GB unit (about 16¢ per GB), though you will find competitive prices at Other World Computing, as well.
Is it possible to pay less? Certainly, but both OWC and Trans International have strong reputations for quality and support, and Mac users are their specialty.
Some assembly [and tools] required
First off, though not a necessity, a good map (.pdf, NewerTech) is a good starting point. Also, you will need tools. This particular job can be accomplished with just a single phillips head screw driver, like the largest one found in the kit on the left (below).
Here are the tools I keep handy for my computer related misadventures:
Tools of the trade
Standard six piece precision (left) screwdriver set; Multi head screw driver set (orange
box on right) includes torex (five point star) and hex (allen wrench) style heads,
which are most commonly needed when working on notebooks.
And, don’t forget a vacuum cleaner because, if you’re going to be inside, you might as well clean things up a bit. That said, your home vacuum will work fine, but do use a brush head.
Lastly, if you’d like to get the needed tools in one go, check out the NewerTech 11-Piece Portable Toolkit.
Quiet as a mouse [again]
Where on earth did I get the YS Tech DC Brushless Blower (part No BD125010HB) for my nearly four-year-old v1.5 miniStack? Actually, this is and has been a standard part in countless peripherals and shouldn’t be too difficult to track down.
Thereupon, obviously, you should begin with the company you purchased your peripheral from. In my case, that was Other World Computing and that’s exactly where I found the needed part—thanks, Eileen.
However, you might not be so lucky as me. Thereupon, you should know that the small quantity distributor in the US for YS for Tech fans and blowers is Denver Beta.
Do you have answers or questions? A better source for stuff? Sound off in the comments below…
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September 25th, 2010
Hi there,
I am doing the same thing with my Ministack. I came across your website. Read it over, but one thing I would recommend is using compressed air. Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner. I believe the reasoning behind this is static. But I want to pass along to to you not to use a vacuum.
BigKev.
ps. Thanks for the info
November 21st, 2011
Hi there,
I find myself in the same situation, I have just opened the case of my ministack to replace the fan, but can’t work out how the fan/circuit board is afixed to the back of the case – can you offer any guidance on how to remove these ?
Many thanks,
Blofeld.
November 21st, 2011
You might find what you’re looking for among OWC’s installation guide videos:
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/
November 30th, 2011
@Blofeld – You’ve probably already figured it out, but there are two screws that go through the back of the case and into the metal bracket holding the blower. Unlike every other screw, the ones you want to get to are covered with little round gray stickers. Use a tiny screwdriver to pry the stickers of and you’ll see philips screw heads.