> First there was no stepper motor.  The arm at the back end was a coil
> of wire between two *very* powerful magnets

A "voice coil" movement

http://www.storagereview.com/guide2000/ref/hdd/op/actActuator.html

I've got a box of these, bet there's some clever new use they can be
put to

> After I finally got the platters off and down to the motor, I was baffled.
> It seems that it's built right into the aluminum chassis of the drive!  Is
this
> right?

Well, they're pretty low profile. I haven't one handy but ISTR that there
were three very short wires - red, green and black I think, like this one
but shorter

http://www.storagereview.com/guide2000/ref/hdd/op/spin.html

> Well I always have the wind chimes option from the page you mentioned.
(-:

Haha, annoy friends and family !!

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