Microserver Gen8 - HDD caddy screw size

[Carlos Alfaro]

I purchased a Microserver gen 8.  Nice box.  It has all 4 hdd caddy/holders but no screws.  Can anyone help me find the page of support or parts list where it would show the right part number and dimmentiosn.

I searched the web and based on recommendations I purchased 2 bags of screws, both the wrong sizes because after installing the hdds there is still a bit of play. 

I like to find the actual part, any help will be apprecaited.  I am not listing the parts I purchased as it will start a thread of someone saying it fits making some adjustments.  I am only looking for the part number and something I can verify.

i appreciate anyone who takes the time to read and reply.

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 User Guide

2. HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 - Removing and Replacing the System Fan

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[Carlos Alfaro]

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

I do not need to know how to remove the system fan (not yet at least) unless those screws are the same size as the HDD caddy or drive carriers as HP calls them.

After more reading I do find that the tool provided is for screws T15 but I do not have details as to the size beyhond that.

So far I can figure out that they are 1/4" screws, flat heads, fully threaded and that is all.  I do not know the angle of the head, how high the screw head is nor the diameter of the head.  It is hard for me to comprehend that something so widely used is not more obvious.  Perhaps it is so obvious I am not seeing it and I would appreciate anyone who could please point me to that iformation.  I see tons of questions about the screw size but no answers, no good ones anyway.

I hope some diorectly from HPE sees this and can provide an aswer.

[BPSingh]

Greetings!

I understand that you are referring to screw size of the non-hot plug drive carrier.

That is the last image on this page: https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=c05156127&docLocale=en_US
Another link for reference: https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=c05156082  

I have also referred the spare part page of the MicroServer Gen8 server and can see spare part number for Hard drive blank (carrier/caddy). Please check for "691585-001" on the below link:

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c03800702 

If we check the image of this part, the screw seems to be included with the caddy. I do not see any separate part number/specification for the screws.

Image: https://partsurfer.hpe.com/ShowPhoto.aspx?partnumber=691585-001 

Also checked options part page: https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=c03793585&docLocale=en_US#N10172 

Could you please contact Hewlett Packard Enterprise Authorized Part Distributors of your region to get more information on this? 

https://parts.hpe.com/Hpparts/Default.aspx?mscssid=78F3C42B98474706A725ED9ABBE5B74E 

[BunnyPon]

(Added some more details based on a bit of googling, the head type, but they are hard to find in Japan ^^;)

I assume you are looking for these bad boys.

I think this is a #6-32 countersunk and 1/4" long "UNDERCUT 100 degree" with a phillips head. (I do not have a micrometer to hand to check.)

They are your basic 3.5" HDD screws, only with a countersunk head for the caddy.

Warning, the HP ones are incredibly soft and shear easily, so do be careful,Gen 8 microserver caddy screw.

[DistortedVision]

I think these are the right screws:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183688181079

They are bright nickel plated but the originals look bright zinc plated (BZP) to me. I'm not sure what nickel plated screws look like.

[BunnyPon]

Close, they should work. just don't overtighten. 

(Not in the US, where I live, everything is metric.)

I actually bought a small vernier caliper. the heads on the HP ones are about 7mm and shallower than these.

If you are worried, a soft plastic washer will help.

My experimenting with old Gen8 microservers is on hold at the moment, but it is quite happy with a 1280 v2 in there. (big heatsink was standard, 200W PSU is unnecessarily powerful.)

[DistortedVision]

I am actually in the UK, I measured everything in mm. I made it an M3 x 6mm with 7mm diameter head. I spent an hour searching on eBay and specialist screw companies. Every one I found had a head of 5.6mm like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384246869349?var=652458539912

I agree with you its definitely 7mm on the HP. I don't think this is a standard screw.

[BunnyPon]

Whatever you do, don't use a metric screw. You will do that only once ^^; (Speaking from experience with noc monkeys and Aluminium inch telco racks, steel metric racks and power tools. whichever way you get it wrong, its fatal to the screw AND hole!)

The closest I got was the UNC #6-32 1/4 (or 5/16?) with a 100' undercut head. If you look at this link, the table at the bottom under #6-32 you can see the head size for 100' is 7.1mm.

https://neji-one.com/lineup/0002003H.htm 

Not sure I want to order 100+ though...  84 yen each or 48yen each for a bag of 100. (I would never EVER run out!)

[DistortedVision]

Glad you mentioned not to buy the metric screws. I almost bought the M3 x 6mm on eBay. I spoke to Accu today and they said I can send a sample for their engineers to inspect and to quote me for:

https://accu.formstack.com/forms/sample_identification_form

They too have a minimum order of 100. I'm not sure how expensive it is to get a custom screw but its a free quotation.  I was thinking I could sell half of them on eBay and list specifically for HP Proliant Gen 8 Microserver.

[DistortedVision]

I'm wondering about these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291251850642

It doesn't say what the countersunk angle is though.