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Strange Screws

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gyps...@yahoo.com

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 2:00:04 AM1/16/06
to
I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate
80GB external hard drive. Its case uses these special screws. I shot a
picture of a screw here:
http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Tool/Screwdriver_for_5-Point_Star_Screw.files.hidden/5-point%20star.jpg

Does anyone know where I can find a screwdriver for these screws?
Thanks.

Chieh
--
Hacking Digital Cameras -
http://www.camerahacker.com/books/Hacking_Digital_Cameras/

RP

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 2:07:20 AM1/16/06
to

gyps...@yahoo.com wrote:
> I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate
> 80GB external hard drive. Its case uses these special screws. I shot a
> picture of a screw here:
> http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Tool/Screwdriver_for_5-Point_Star_Screw.files.hidden/5-point%20star.jpg
>
> Does anyone know where I can find a screwdriver for these screws?
> Thanks.

At any decent hardware or home supply store. It's called a Torx screw.
Typically an allen wrench will work just fine in the absence of a Torx
screw driver.

hvacrmedic

Tony Hwang

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 2:18:19 AM1/16/06
to
RP wrote:

Hi,
Also tight fitting blade screw driver will do it too.
Tony

RP

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 2:21:01 AM1/16/06
to

As long as you don't care to ruin the tip. But I've used a flat blade on
many an occasion :)

hvacrmedic

buffalobill

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Jan 16, 2006, 3:14:47 AM1/16/06
to

RP

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 3:24:49 AM1/16/06
to

buffalobill wrote:
> "TORX PLUS" [NOT TORX]
>
> http://www.wihatools.com/716_IPR_serie.htm

I should've looked!
In that case a dremel tool might be in order. A good stout drill bit and
a rethreader afterward :)

hvacrmedic


David C. Partridge

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 4:22:08 AM1/16/06
to
Hmmmm why do you want to open the case of the drive? If you open it
outside a class 1 clean room, the drive WILL die.

Or are you talking about the drive mounting screws?

Dave

<gyps...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1137394804.0...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

Odie Ferrous

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Jan 16, 2006, 4:35:11 AM1/16/06
to
"David C. Partridge" wrote:
>
> Hmmmm why do you want to open the case of the drive? If you open it
> outside a class 1 clean room, the drive WILL die.
>
> Or are you talking about the drive mounting screws?

Perhaps the drive already *is* dead.

Don't overestimate clean rooms - they contain 100 particles per cubic
meter as opposed to an "average" room containing 600 particles. A
"clean" "average" room will contain far less than the 600 particles.

For what it's worth, I've had a drive running non-stop for over a week
without its cover (platters exposed) and haven't had any hiccups. This
hype about "clean rooms" is a load of drivel.

There are those who will say "if you get one single particle of dust on
your platters, your drive will be irretrievably damaged."

Bollox. And bollox to FR, who will no doubt disagree.


Odie
--
Retrodata
www.retrodata.co.uk
Globally Local Data Recovery Experts

Stormin Mormon

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 7:25:46 AM1/16/06
to
The Torx drivers sold in hardware have six points, and this monstrosity has
five. Of course, it is designed to be a bastard conifguration, and you can't
get the driver for it.

As the other fellow suggested, try slotted jewlers screw drivers, sometimes
you can get one to wedge in just right.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

"Tony Hwang" <drag...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:%MHyf.238969$2k.125392@pd7tw1no...

Handi

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 7:39:08 AM1/16/06
to
I'd dare to guess that if this fellow doesn't recognize a Torx screw
that he isn't aware that he should never open a hard drive.

Torx screws are seldom used for no other purpose then to keep the prying
eyes of consumers from sensitive stuff. Thats why they're used in
elevators.

My son has actually opened a defective laptop hard drive before and
amazingly it still functioned, for only a short time. Now its a
paperweight.

Handi


Doug Miller

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 8:27:37 AM1/16/06
to

Bzzzt! Thanks for playing. That's _not_ a Torx screw. Torx screws are
six-pointed, not five-pointed as described and shown.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Doug Miller

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 8:29:02 AM1/16/06
to
In article <MtMyf.156727$Ph4.4...@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>, "Handi" <hand...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I'd dare to guess that if this fellow doesn't recognize a Torx screw
>that he isn't aware that he should never open a hard drive.

I guess you can't recognize one either. :-) What he has is not a Torx screw.

Jim Elbrecht

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 8:40:17 AM1/16/06
to
gyps...@yahoo.com wrote:

>I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate
>80GB external hard drive. Its case uses these special screws. I shot a
>picture of a screw here:
>http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Tool/Screwdriver_for_5-Point_Star_Screw.files.hidden/5-point%20star.jpg
>
>Does anyone know where I can find a screwdriver for these screws?
>Thanks.


I'm not sure now if it was Radio Shack or Sears-- but I bought a <$20
set that has about a dozen tips for jeweler's sized unusual screw
heads. There are a couple Torx Plus tips in there & I've taken apart
a bunch of hard drives with them. [I've been taking them apart to
play with the magnets--- not as strong as I expected in the newer
drives]

Curiosity got the best of me-- this isn't my set, but Sears has this
18pc set for $20;
Sears item #00941709000 Mfr. model #63518
[no torx plus but a T6, T7, T8, & T9 size Torx]

Ah -- Here it is- Radio Shack, $15
Model: 64-2973
Catalog #: 64-2973
Kronus 20-Piece Electronics Bit-Driver Set

1 x Ergonomic Anti-Static Handle
4 x Slotted Bits (2, 2.5, 3, and 4mm)
2 x Phillips Bits (#00, and #0)
5 x Torx Bits (T-6, T-7, T-8, T-9, and T-10)
3 x Hex Bits (1.5, 2, and 2.5mm)
2 x POZI Bits (#00, and #0)
3 x Hex Round Ball Bits (1.5, 2, 2,5mm)
1 x Plastic Carrying Case

Especially for such an inexpensive set is is pretty well built except
for the cheap plastic case.

Jim

David C. Partridge

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 8:48:28 AM1/16/06
to
Cough! I said class 1 not class 100!

Sure a drive will function for a while with the case off, but it will die
soonish (maybe a few days or weeks, but it will die).

If OTOH all you are doing is extracting the magnets from old drives - then
go right on ..

Dave
"Odie Ferrous" <odie_f...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:43CB68CF...@hotmail.com...

DT

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Jan 16, 2006, 9:18:31 AM1/16/06
to

>Don't overestimate clean rooms - they contain 100 particles per cubic
>meter as opposed to an "average" room containing 600 particles. A
>"clean" "average" room will contain far less than the 600 particles.


Well, having managed a real clean room , you are way off base. First of all,
the particle count is per cubic foot. Clean rooms are classified by
the sustained particle count averaged around the entire room.

The average count in a typical home/office/light industrial room is about
500,000 particles per cubic foot, and the particlas are quite large (several
microns or tens of microns).

The first level of clean room we define is a class 100,000. This isn't a real
hard level to achieve and can sometimes be done without real expensive HEPA
filters if the working conditions are clean enough. The Space Shuttle high bay
room is maintained at class 100,000 (my experience is with NASA).

The next level is a class 10,000, which certainly requires a high level of
filtering and monitering with special clothing for the occupants. Next comes a
class 1000 which is getting serious. You are into laminar flow air systems and
special training for the people.

Computer chips are assembled in class 100 or even class 10 (!) rooms, since a
single particle can ruin a product. At this level, even the way you move can
disturb the room's particle count. Everyone is trained to move slowly and be
aware of where the downwash from the airflow over your body goes.

By this level, the particle size is usually measured at a much smaller,
sub-micron level also. A single small tear in a HEPA filter can take the room
out of spec for quite some time, requiring a long, slow damp swabbing of all
surfaces.

Dennis

Rob B

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Jan 16, 2006, 9:56:46 AM1/16/06
to

"Odie Ferrous" <odie_f...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:43CB68CF...@hotmail.com...
> "David C. Partridge" wrote:
> >
> > Hmmmm why do you want to open the case of the drive? If you open it
> > outside a class 1 clean room, the drive WILL die.
> >
> > Or are you talking about the drive mounting screws?
>
> Perhaps the drive already *is* dead.
>
> Don't overestimate clean rooms - they contain 100 particles per cubic
> meter as opposed to an "average" room containing 600 particles. A
> "clean" "average" room will contain far less than the 600 particles.
>

you could contruct a clean box to stifle the clean room naybobs

somewhere, (i am looking for link in my encyclopedic favorites), on web
there was a design plan for clean room box involving a sturdy cardboard box
, spray contact cement, largish HEPA filter, shop vac, heavy ~ 5mil clear
plastic, duct tape then some spray either anti-static or water mist ? can't
remeber

well most could probably figure out how this stuff was used the only trick
was purging of contaminates when it was exposed when opening the box

Dan Espen

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Jan 16, 2006, 10:10:43 AM1/16/06
to
gyps...@yahoo.com writes:

> I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate
> 80GB external hard drive. Its case uses these special screws. I shot a
> picture of a screw here:
> http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Tool/Screwdriver_for_5-Point_Star_Screw.files.hidden/5-point%20star.jpg
>
> Does anyone know where I can find a screwdriver for these screws?
> Thanks.

In my opinion, someone should be arrested for using these things.

Do a google search for 'star screwdriver computer'.
You'll get lots of hits.

Jim Yanik

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Jan 16, 2006, 10:02:55 AM1/16/06
to
"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-#spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:ehMyf.73852$XJ5....@twister.nyroc.rr.com:

> The Torx drivers sold in hardware have six points, and this
> monstrosity has five. Of course, it is designed to be a bastard
> conifguration, and you can't get the driver for it.
>
> As the other fellow suggested, try slotted jewlers screw drivers,
> sometimes you can get one to wedge in just right.
>

Or you could grind down an Allen wrench to have 5 sides.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Jim Yanik

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Jan 16, 2006, 10:01:49 AM1/16/06
to
RP <no_mail...@yahoo.com> wrote in news:QoudnRknaMTLxVbeRVn-
i...@centurytel.net:

>
>
> buffalobill wrote:
>> "TORX PLUS" [NOT TORX]

If the screw only has FIVE sides instead of SIX like a Torx,then maybe it
should be Torx-MINUS. 8-)


(warning;humor attempt)

John McGaw

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 10:39:57 AM1/16/06
to

Well, the other posters who called it a Torx were almost on the mark.
What you have there is a Torx Plus which is marketed as a tamper
resistant screw and this time Textron has put some actual controls upon
the distribution of the tools needed to work properly with them. Guess
they learned that everyone and their brother was selling the regular
six-pointed Torx tools thus depriving them of any security benefits.
Same thing with the Tamper Torx which was identical but which had a pin
in the center of the star but which, once the pin was snapped off or the
tool had a hole drilled in the tip, was easily removed.

If you want to buy Torx Plus tools you must, in theory anyway, be a
legitimate user as defined by Textron although if you know anyone who
works with them they should be pretty easily obtained at the cost of a
case of beer. ;-)

http://www.textronfasteningsystems.com/products/torxplus/index.html

--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com

Tony Hwang

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 11:02:52 AM1/16/06
to
Hi,
Many will make one good drive from two bad ones. Some fails in
electronics part some fails in mechanical part.
Tony

stic...@gmail.com

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 11:17:07 AM1/16/06
to

David C. Partridge wrote:
> Hmmmm why do you want to open the case of the drive? If you open it
> outside a class 1 clean room, the drive WILL die.

No matter what you do with it, the drive WILL die. It's the
unfortunate, but inevitable destiny that we all share.

I've opened hard drives again and again in very filthy rooms and
they've never shown any ill effects over the days, or in some cases
weeks, that I operated them. I do this all the time with old drives
because I can see what's happening inside the drive while I test my
control circuitry.

If I was manufacturing hundreds of thousands of drives and had to worry
about warranties and customer satisfaction, I'd be doing it in a clean
room. And I would buy a new drive before attempting to repair a damaged
one. But you definitely can operate a hard drive without the cover for
a while; probably long enough to do whatever you want if you don't
dawdle.

jim menning

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Jan 16, 2006, 11:26:01 AM1/16/06
to

"buffalobill" <wjoh...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:1137399286.9...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

>
> "TORX PLUS" [NOT TORX]
>
> http://www.wihatools.com/716_IPR_serie.htm
>

Getting closer! Many in the Torx Plus line still are six-pointed drivers. The
5-pointed ones are known as "Torx-Plus TR" (Tamper resistant).

Identification chart:
http://www.lara.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?cart_id=5614708.20716&keywords=bt-ip

Torx-Plus TR sizes:
http://www.lara.com/torx-plus-tr.htm

jim menning


mc

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Jan 16, 2006, 11:29:06 AM1/16/06
to
>> I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate
...

>
> At any decent hardware or home supply store. It's called a Torx screw.
> Typically an allen wrench will work just fine in the absence of a Torx
> screw driver.

Don't those have 6 points?


James Sweet

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 12:19:59 PM1/16/06
to
David C. Partridge wrote:
> Hmmmm why do you want to open the case of the drive? If you open it
> outside a class 1 clean room, the drive WILL die.
>
> Or are you talking about the drive mounting screws?
>
>


From the picture, it's the screws that hold together the external case.
Probably wants to upgrade the drive or put it in a different case.

wrench

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 12:28:17 PM1/16/06
to
> Torx screws are seldom used for no other purpose then to keep the prying eyes
> of consumers from sensitive stuff. Thats why they're used in elevators.

Not an accurate statement.

Torx drive screws have been used on vehicles for ten years plus. They are not
(in their standard form) an anti tamper fastener.

wrench

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 12:31:11 PM1/16/06
to

[I've been taking them apart to play with the magnets--- not as strong as I
expected in the newer drives]

magnets? in a hard drive?

CJT

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Jan 16, 2006, 12:56:04 PM1/16/06
to
wrench wrote:

Yes. Strong ones.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che...@prodigy.net.

Arno Wagner

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 1:15:57 PM1/16/06
to

Definitely correct. For anti-tamper there is Torx with a pin
in the middle that needs a Torx driver with a hole. Standard
Torx is just very well suited for automated mounting and also
very well suited to use with a Torx bit in an electric drill.
Here you get a lot of "Spax" wood screws with Torx head.

Torx is optimised for maximum torque without damaging the
tool or screw and easier insertion than the standard 6-way
symmetric format. IMO ist qualifies as possibly the best
all around screw head format.

Arno

Folkert Rienstra

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 8:57:07 AM1/16/06
to
"Doug Miller" <spam...@milmac.com> wrote in message news:ycNyf.9916$dW3...@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com

> In article <MtMyf.156727$Ph4.4...@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>, "Handi" <hand...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > I'd dare to guess that if this fellow doesn't recognize a Torx screw
> > that he isn't aware that he should never open a hard drive.
>
> I guess you can't recognize one either. :-)

The same to you.

> What he has is not a Torx screw.

Yes it is, as someone else showed from the Wiha page.

Arno Wagner

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Jan 16, 2006, 1:16:46 PM1/16/06
to
In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage wrench <wre...@409.com> wrote:

Yes, a pair of very strong ones in the moving-coil assembly that
forms the head actuator motor.

Arno


J. Clarke

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Jan 16, 2006, 12:46:51 PM1/16/06
to
gyps...@yahoo.com wrote:

> I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate

> 80GB external hard drive. Its case uses these special screws. I shot a
> picture of a screw here:
>
http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Tool/Screwdriver_for_5-Point_Star_Screw.files.hidden/5-point%20star.jpg
>
> Does anyone know where I can find a screwdriver for these screws?

No guarantee that it's the right size, (OD approx .057 in, about the same as
a T5 Torx) but search ebay for "5 pointed star screwdriver". Don't have a
recent Seagate drive on hand to try it on or I'd let you know if it fits.
You'll get a dozen or so hits from a guy named elvis fong who sells them
for Sony and Sharp PDAs. Price is about a buck plus 5 bucks or so shipping
from Hong Kong so call it 6 bucks or so total.

I ordered one a while back and he got it right out--seems to be a reliable
vendor.

Let him know that you're looking for a driver specifically for Seagate
drives and he might find one for you.

> Thanks.
>
> Chieh
> --
> Hacking Digital Cameras -
> http://www.camerahacker.com/books/Hacking_Digital_Cameras/

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Folkert Rienstra

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Jan 16, 2006, 1:33:07 PM1/16/06
to
"James Sweet" <james...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:3BQyf.7600$Zo.750@trnddc07

Whoa.
Someone actually *READ* the original post and looked at the linked picture.

Peter

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Jan 16, 2006, 1:21:06 PM1/16/06
to

mm

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 1:38:25 PM1/16/06
to
On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 12:39:08 GMT, "Handi" <hand...@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> I'd dare to guess that if this fellow doesn't recognize a Torx screw
>that he isn't aware that he should never open a hard drive.
>
> Torx screws are seldom used for no other purpose then to keep the prying
>eyes of consumers from sensitive stuff.

Too many maybes and negatives in this sentence for me to understand
it.

> Thats why they're used in
>elevators.

They're also used in my car just to hold the trunk struts on. Nothing
secret about that.

Don't get me started on what I used to do to elevators..

> My son has actually opened a defective laptop hard drive before and
>amazingly it still functioned, for only a short time. Now its a
>paperweight.
>
>Handi
>


Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let
me know if you have posted also.

mm

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 1:42:07 PM1/16/06
to
On 16 Jan 2006 08:17:07 -0800, "stic...@gmail.com"
<stic...@gmail.com> wrote:
....

>I've opened hard drives again and again in very filthy rooms and
>they've never shown any ill effects over the days, or in some cases
>weeks, that I operated them. I do this all the time with old drives
>because I can see what's happening inside the drive while I test my
>control circuitry.
>
>If I was manufacturing hundreds of thousands of drives and had to worry
>about warranties and customer satisfaction, I'd be doing it in a clean
>room. And I would buy a new drive before attempting to repair a damaged
>one. But you definitely can operate a hard drive without the cover for
>a while; probably long enough to do whatever you want if you don't
>dawdle.

My drive is clicking, and one important partition has a very bad
directory structure. I'm not sure I can copy over even the good
partitions before it "fails". If I open it, what would I want to do
to stop the clicking, or to keep the clicking syndrome from preventing
me from copying the data to a good drive.

(The bad partition is FAT16 (because I was still running win3.1 and
win98 and wanted both OSes to access the parttiion.)

J. Clarke

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 1:09:37 PM1/16/06
to
wrench wrote:

Yes, magnets in a hard drive. Part of the actuator.

Message has been deleted

Impmon

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 2:07:49 PM1/16/06
to
On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 01:07:20 -0600, RP <no_mail...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>At any decent hardware or home supply store. It's called a Torx screw.
>Typically an allen wrench will work just fine in the absence of a Torx
>screw driver.

Torx is 6 pointed star and won't fit 5 star screw head well. If you
force the torx to work, you're liable to strip the wrench or worse the
screw head.
--
When you hear the toilet flush, and hear the words "uh oh", it's already
too late. - by anonymous Mother in Austin, TX
Spam block in place, no emil reply is expected at all.

lurk@sbc junk global.net

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 2:09:13 PM1/16/06
to
what are you going to do with it when you get it apart ???

<gyps...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1137394804.0...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...


> I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate
> 80GB external hard drive. Its case uses these special screws. I shot a
> picture of a screw here:
> http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Tool/Screwdriver_for_5-Point_Star_Screw.files.hidden/5-point%20star.jpg
>
> Does anyone know where I can find a screwdriver for these screws?

Stephen

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 3:06:49 PM1/16/06
to
On 15 Jan 2006 23:00:04 -0800, gyps...@yahoo.com had a flock of
green cheek conures squawk out:

>I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate
>80GB external hard drive. Its case uses these special screws. I shot a
>picture of a screw here:
>http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Tool/Screwdriver_for_5-Point_Star_Screw.files.hidden/5-point%20star.jpg
>
>Does anyone know where I can find a screwdriver for these screws?
>Thanks.
>
>Chieh

http://www.wihatools.com/indexes/indxtorx.htm

Stephen
--

Rob B

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 3:24:42 PM1/16/06
to

"Stephen" <y...@its.invalid> wrote in message
news:v1vns1ljroc6bdvel...@4ax.com...

none of those torx drivers in the link show a 5 pointer ? even the one that
says textron applications ?


mm

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 3:26:04 PM1/16/06
to
On 15 Jan 2006 23:00:04 -0800, gyps...@yahoo.com wrote:

>I'm looking for a 5-point star shaped screwdriver. I bought a Seagate
>80GB external hard drive. Its case uses these special screws. I shot a
>picture of a screw here:
>http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Tool/Screwdriver_for_5-Point_Star_Screw.files.hidden/5-point%20star.jpg
>
>Does anyone know where I can find a screwdriver for these screws?
>Thanks.

The tips that others have recommended were not available to the
public, or at least not at a sufficiently low price, for quite a
while after the screws came out. The same process will happen again
and again.

So.... Buy your self some left-handed drill bits and drill out the
screws. You can do the same with right-handed drill bits, but it
takes a lot more time. With LH, the bit acts as a screwdriver all the
while it is drilling, and the receiving threads are usually good when
you're done.

Replace with other screws.

There is one general tool vendor on the net that has LH screwdrivers,
and the very big hardware store in Dallas (Eliot's, I think) had them
when I was there.

(It's fun to ask for them at big box stores, and even most hardware
stores. They think it's a joke, like left-handed poker chips.

>
>Chieh

Joshua Putnam

unread,
Jan 16, 2006, 3:27:05 PM1/16/06
to
In article <v1vns1ljroc6bdvel...@4ax.com>,
y...@its.invalid says...

> http://www.wihatools.com/indexes/indxtorx.htm

Actually, no, they don't list the 5-point security versions, only the
6-point.

Lara Tools sells them on-line, if you qualify.
http://www.lara.com/torx-plus-tr.htm

--
jo...@phred.org is Joshua Putnam
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/>
Braze your own bicycle frames. See
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/build/build.html>

Rob B

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Jan 16, 2006, 3:27:54 PM1/16/06
to
"Rob B" <Ro...@where.on.net> wrote in message
news:eiTyf.441$vU2...@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...

no there is 5 pointer at bottom of the torx security page , sorry i posted
too soon :}


Odie Ferrous

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Jan 16, 2006, 3:42:38 PM1/16/06
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Take them out, give them to a child to play with, and the child will be
bleeding inside five minutes.


Odie

mc

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Jan 16, 2006, 3:49:58 PM1/16/06
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"Arno Wagner" <m...@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:43266tF...@individual.net...

> Torx is optimised for maximum torque without damaging the
> tool or screw and easier insertion than the standard 6-way
> symmetric format. IMO ist qualifies as possibly the best
> all around screw head format.

Yes... you can actually hold the screw with the screwdriver... that is, put
the screw on the end of the screwdriver, then move it into position.


mm

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Jan 16, 2006, 3:51:28 PM1/16/06
to
On 16 Jan 2006 18:15:57 GMT, Arno Wagner <m...@privacy.net> wrote:

>
>Definitely correct. For anti-tamper there is Torx with a pin
>in the middle that needs a Torx driver with a hole. Standard
>Torx is just very well suited for automated mounting and also

I hadn't thought about that, but I had noticed that it stays on the
tip without magnetism, even when the tip is horizontal.

The tip won't slip out of the slot either, the advantage of Phillips
head. I wonder how long until there are chrome torx screws for
decorative places.

mc

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Jan 16, 2006, 3:58:27 PM1/16/06
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> The tip won't slip out of the slot either, the advantage of Phillips
> head. I wonder how long until there are chrome torx screws for
> decorative places.

I don't know. Recall that it took Phillips about 40 years to catch on
(invented in the 1940s, not really dominant until the 1980s if memory serves
me right). Torx should catch on by the middle of the century...


Chris Lewis

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Jan 16, 2006, 4:12:48 PM1/16/06
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According to mm <NOPSAM...@bigfoot.com>:

> On 16 Jan 2006 18:15:57 GMT, Arno Wagner <m...@privacy.net> wrote:

> >Definitely correct. For anti-tamper there is Torx with a pin
> >in the middle that needs a Torx driver with a hole. Standard
> >Torx is just very well suited for automated mounting and also

> I hadn't thought about that, but I had noticed that it stays on the
> tip without magnetism, even when the tip is horizontal.

Square drive (eg: Canadian "Robertson") are almost as good. I drove several
hundred 3" deck screws through flooring yesterday - once put on the driver,
they stayed put on the driver and could be started and driven without touching
the screw.

No cam-out either.

I still think they should make the manufacture and sale of slotted and
phillips screws a capital offence.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

Chris Lewis

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Jan 16, 2006, 4:17:49 PM1/16/06
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According to mm <NOPSAM...@bigfoot.com>:

> My drive is clicking, and one important partition has a very bad
> directory structure. I'm not sure I can copy over even the good
> partitions before it "fails". If I open it, what would I want to do
> to stop the clicking, or to keep the clicking syndrome from preventing
> me from copying the data to a good drive.

The best way to ensure that you can copy over the good partitions
is to _not_ open the drive first.

The safest way is to image copy the whole drive to a new drive. Put
the old drive in a safe place, and try to repair the new drive's
directory structure. Preferably doing a backup of the image you copied
to the new drive before you diddle it, so you can start over _without_
touching the old drive.

The clicking is most likely retries (ie: gouged media, weak magnetics).
You _can't_ fix that. You're unlikely to be able to repair even obvious
mechanical faults either.

gyps...@yahoo.com

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Jan 16, 2006, 5:18:36 PM1/16/06