Have you wondered how small the GC drive can really get?
Let's find out.
Some things to note:
1) The overall height of the drive includes the laser assembly, which I have not been able to determine yet if it is possible to trim down or not.
2) Doing this mod requires the removal of the shock absorbing posts; this WILL result in a portable that has a bigger problem with skipping during audio playback during rough handling.
3) I haven't tested this in a portable yet, but this is the unit I will be using.
4) BE CAREFUL when removing the plastic from the drive; there are casting protrusions that are crucial to the operation of the lens assembly, and you will render your drive useless if you are careless.
Tools needed:
I used Visegrips. You should probably use a dremel.
End result:
Height: 1.5"
Width: (Measured from left-to-right): 3 7/8"
Length: (Measured from top-to-bottom): 4"
So let's begin. Take apart your Gamecube and remove the drive assembly, including removing the larger black housing that the drive clips into.
You should be left with this:
Sorry for the blurry picture, my camera was being a prick this morning.
Before you begin, take note of how the laser assembly moves along the rails, and the casting protrusions that act as a positive stop for the long plastic gear that is moved by the electric motor. The protrusion is pictured here:
In any case, the plastic we are removing includes the plastic posts for the rubber shock absorbers and the extraneous plastic surrounding the C/DVD plane. If you're using pliers or a pair of vise grips, START AT THE HIGHER SPOT of the piece of plastic you wish to remove - dont' try to remove whole bits of plastic at a time, you'll crack the C/DVD plane in the process. The plastic is rather brittle, so it should break off easy.
Pictured here is what should be left:
Amount of material removed
:
Let's find out.
Some things to note:
1) The overall height of the drive includes the laser assembly, which I have not been able to determine yet if it is possible to trim down or not.
2) Doing this mod requires the removal of the shock absorbing posts; this WILL result in a portable that has a bigger problem with skipping during audio playback during rough handling.
3) I haven't tested this in a portable yet, but this is the unit I will be using.
4) BE CAREFUL when removing the plastic from the drive; there are casting protrusions that are crucial to the operation of the lens assembly, and you will render your drive useless if you are careless.
Tools needed:
I used Visegrips. You should probably use a dremel.
End result:
Height: 1.5"
Width: (Measured from left-to-right): 3 7/8"
Length: (Measured from top-to-bottom): 4"
So let's begin. Take apart your Gamecube and remove the drive assembly, including removing the larger black housing that the drive clips into.
You should be left with this:
Sorry for the blurry picture, my camera was being a prick this morning.
Before you begin, take note of how the laser assembly moves along the rails, and the casting protrusions that act as a positive stop for the long plastic gear that is moved by the electric motor. The protrusion is pictured here:
In any case, the plastic we are removing includes the plastic posts for the rubber shock absorbers and the extraneous plastic surrounding the C/DVD plane. If you're using pliers or a pair of vise grips, START AT THE HIGHER SPOT of the piece of plastic you wish to remove - dont' try to remove whole bits of plastic at a time, you'll crack the C/DVD plane in the process. The plastic is rather brittle, so it should break off easy.
Pictured here is what should be left:
Amount of material removed
:
).
