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I am asking this because i am getting or rather i should say i have got a Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000 rpm Hard Drive for christmas. It arrived by courier this morning and although i'm not allowed to have it till tomorrow, i have checked that it was the right one i was sent.

Well it is the right one and it is an OEM version, but thing is, the bottom protective metal shield that covers the HD's PCB and electronics is not there???

Seems very unsafe for a hard drive not to have a protective shield covering it's PCB (top shield is there) but i am wondering if this is normal for OEM Hard Drives since i got another one last week (from a different supplier and it's a Hitachi) for my sisters PC that i am building her for Xmas and it also did not have it's bottom shield, Thing is it also did not work and i have had to return it.

Now i know buying OEM means you get the hardware and nothing else (ie box, instructions, software,cables and what not) but i did expect to have a totally sealed unit sent to me.

Anyone else bought an OEM HD and if so was it fully built?

I have purchased an OEM hard drive before and am sure there was no bottom plate there, as you mention. I can't see it being a problem mate, as long as you handle the item properly whilst installing it should be fine, and for what heat will be generated from the hard drive, I would say it will allow the circulating air to reach the PCB side easier and hopefully draw away some of that heat. I shouldn't worry too much about that to be honest.

i don't recall seeing a cover on the controller (the pcb on the bottom of the hard drive) in years actually... it is not a problem. of course you are not supposed to set it on surfaces where the pins can make contact...it is supposed to be in a computer case properly mounted.

Thanks for the replies guys, it has put my mind at ease on that.

It's just that all my previous Hard Drives were completely sealed units and this new one is not so i had to check.

No worries on the proper install though with it though it will be properly placed in the case as it should be.

Hope you all had a great Christmas morning.