Problem removing hard drive on Q45

Hi,

Been a while, decided time to upgrade hard drive in my Q45.

Problem is, the wide part of ribbon connector appears to be stuck fast to the back of the drive. I don't want to damage either the ribbon or the drive, but can't see how to get the ribbon off, in order to disconnect.

I assume it should be loose - maybe the heat has fused the ribbon onto drive? Or am I missing something obvious?

Cheers

 

A photo might help explain this problem. Does it look similar to the HDD in the Q70 (from my review)

Is the problem that the flat part of the ribbon cable is stuck to the surface of the HDD.

John

 

Yes, exactly - the wide flat part. Stuck fast over whole surface.

 

They must have intentionally glued it.

I would disconnect the cable at the motherboard, get the HDD out and then try to peel the glue off the motherboard with the help of a sharp knife. If you think the glue is heat sensitive then you could try warming it with a hair drier. The HDD is safe up to about 60C, which is as hot as you would want to hold it.

John

 

Sounds like a plan - thanks John, will let you know how I get on.

 

OK, well, removing the drive cable from the motherboard looked like an even more difficult/disaster-prone operation, so I persevered with pulling up the cable slowly with fingers. Worked fine - why they feel the need to add this impediment I don't know - it's not as if it's going to move around once the drive is in place.

Thanks

 

Thanks for the update. I suspect the cable fixing on the motherboard is a simple latch. You can probably lift the side nearest the HDD with your fingernail and the cable will come free. Push the cable in and then push down the latch to reconnect.

John