The connector is very tight - I couldn’t even see the join between cable end and the socket and couldn’t see the “ears” on the end of the socket. And, of course, pulling didn’t help. I eventually used tweezers to start things off, gripping on the metal of the socket right where the invisible join was. What a delight to have the join open enough to see! After that, it was easy.

This may be a matter of a 2.3GHz vs a 2.6GHz board, but on mine the raised-head screw - and the rubber cover - are on the other side of the black metal whatever it is, about centered relative to the cable connector to its left.

@mjl: "Advanced Format" on the drive. I've seen the same wording on other HGST drives (I have some 4GB ones). I looked it up when I got the drives and found little behind it - it's a marketing term for *something* they do internally, but it has no effect on how you use the drive.

OK, I've got to ask: How did you figure out that you could pull the glass panel off like that? Is this a known construction technique, or did you get a hint from an insider?