# Recycling Sky HDD's

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/recycling-sky-hdds/14754>\
**Category:** Hardware\
**Created:** [24 August 2019 22:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/recycling-sky-hdds/14754 "2019-08-24T22:24:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Paul-Reed](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/paul-reed/32/66906_2.png) [@Paul-Reed](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Paul-Reed)\
**Post date:** [24 August 2019 22:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/recycling-sky-hdds/14754/1 "2019-08-24T22:24:18Z")

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I'm building a new system from scratch to predominantly run node-RED, and needed a independently-powered HDD in preference to either a SD card, or a HDD sharing the same power supply as my Pi for resilience.

Whilst looking what external HDD's were available, a friend commented that they had ended their Sky contract - anyone want the box before it goes in the bin?  
That seemed too good an opportunity to miss, as I knew that they contained a Seagate 500GB SATA 3.5" drive ....so the project started this afternoon.

 ![1](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/3/31dd00bc97330de29387065d5de42d33b8602344.jpeg)

Removing the HDD was pretty easy, and only a small pozi screwdriver, and a sharp knife (to cut the cable ties) was needed.

 ![2](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/1/1f9dd3f7628184bbf60fb9c8b31b3d847981662c.jpeg)

I purchased a 3.5" SATA USB3 HDD caddy from Ebay for £13, I chose this one because it's constructed from aluminium & vented so it should stay cool, although similar caddy's are available from AliExpress from £5 delivered.  
The HDD simply pushes onto the caddy interface, and then 2 screws hold the lot together - very securely

 ![3](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/9/92c520e8d6fbcb0d40911f4dcd4447cb261ef308.jpeg)

All done!  
I formatted the drive, and then ran [SeaTools](https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/support/downloads/seatools/) on the drive for an assessment of it's condition, which came back OK, so next stage is to attach a Pi and install an image.

Paul

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**Author:** ![dynamicdave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dynamicdave/32/96_2.png) [@dynamicdave](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dynamicdave)\
**Post date:** [7 June 2020 18:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/recycling-sky-hdds/14754/2 "2020-06-07T18:27:06Z")

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I did nearly the same thing with an old Virgin Media box a friend gave me. It also had a 500GB SATA drive drive inside, which is now inside my PC. It just seemed a shame to have to bin the rest of the hardware.

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**Author:** ![Paul-Reed](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/paul-reed/32/66906_2.png) [@Paul-Reed](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Paul-Reed)\
**Post date:** [7 June 2020 18:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/recycling-sky-hdds/14754/3 "2020-06-07T18:31:44Z")

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> [@dynamicdave](#):
>
> It just seemed a shame to have to bin the rest of the hardware.

It's hard, but you have to let go 😉  
My work room is overflowing with things that might come in handy one day....

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**Author:** ![dynamicdave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dynamicdave/32/96_2.png) [@dynamicdave](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dynamicdave)\
**Post date:** [7 June 2020 18:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/recycling-sky-hdds/14754/4 "2020-06-07T18:35:22Z")

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The only problem is when I do eventually throw things away, I can guarantee a week or so later I will need the "said" item. Oh well, that's life I suppose. My wife keeps telling me... "you can't take it with you" !!!