8 ideas from the old hard drive

Do not throw away your old computer's hard drive even if you have a new SSD or your hard drive (HDD) is broken. Even if it is still usable, the old drive still has some great applications that you don't know.

Depending on whether your hard drive is still active or dead, we will have different ways. But surprisingly, a dead HDD has more applications. So, put up your sleeves and start working on the idea of ​​recycling, reusing old hard drives.

The hard drive is still active

If the hard drive is still active, take advantage of its remaining capacity. Because they are still valuable data storage, but you will not have to put it in the computer anymore.

1. Transfer it to a removable drive

When upgrading a laptop's drive or running out of computer space, remember you have an old HDD that is still in use. You can reuse it by placing it in a shell of the external hard drive.

You can use it with the adapter or not depending on the drive and its shell. As a general rule, source controllers are suitable for desktop (3.5-inch) hard drives while laptop hard drives (2.5 inches) usually don't need a converter.

2. Making NAS

In case you have a removable drive or an old drive that is no longer in use, this is a good time to set up a storage system on a network (NAS). Basically, hard drive content can be accessed via any device connected to Wifi.

NAS has different levels. If your finances are decent, you can buy NAS boxes like TerraMaster F2-220 . If your wallet is fake, you can convert Raspberry Pi into NAS boxes .

Hard drive dead

Although the hard drive is no longer working, data storage is gone but the drive's parts are still valid. For any way, you'll need to open the drive and separate its parts, which is a fairly simple process. You can refer to the video below.

3. Knife holder with magnet

Hard drives contain large numbers of neodymium magnets and two strong magnets.

On Instructables, the user with the tzhy nickname instructed to use two pieces of wood to make the magnet knife rack without any special tools but if you don't have wood glue or simple hardware tools otherwise, they can be found at dealer stores.

When completed, you will get a magnet knife rack to help keep the family kitchen neat. The knives are mounted on the shelves extremely convenient for use.

4. Mirror

Disk drives can be used as mirrors. Gently remove them from the hard drive to avoid scratching or scratching. But when you complete this operation, you will see that it is the perfect mirror.

You can be creative in personal cabinets in your company or school by turning it into a rearview mirror. All you need to do is use a pin attached to it, you will see who is following you from behind.

Hard disks can also turn into mirrors (meaning mirrors reflect sunlight to signal your location). In fact, it can be a very good safety tool for cyclists.

5. Wind chimes

You have a few old drives to collect and recycle the discs into a unique wind chime. will make many people envy you.

This application almost uses the parts you remove from the drive. First, you'll need a cord to keep all the plates. Next, attach each disc to the end of each rope by piercing the wires into the center of the disc. Finally, you have completed your own new wind chimes. This is one of the most innovative drive reuse ideas.

6. Safe storage place

After removing the internal parts of the hard drive, what will you do with its cover?Bobert610 - Instructables user account has turned it into a safe place to hide things no one doubts it.

This is an easy safe to create. Just take all the inner parts and then insert the screws into a corner of the hard drive. Your "hard drive safe" will be effective when you need to hide emergency money.

7. Clock

Parts of the hard drive are perfect for recycling into a trendy watch, when combined with several LED lights and some other tools. You will need to buy watch movement and metal wires.

DIY guru kipkay is the best technology channel head on Youtube has a great video tutorial for this idea. Kipkay's solutions are quite creative and more refined, giving the final products quite amazing.

The drive is still active or dead

Whether the drive is still active or dead but you don't use it anymore, sell it. Even if you have removed the details of the dead drive and used them, you can sell the rest.

Do you plan to sell drives that are still usable, make sure to erase all your hard drive data before doing that - just formmat is not enough.