Replace HD in A2? - Page 5

Sunman · 03-09-2007, 03:53

Great pictures Kwaczek

Any info about HD replacement for our Cowon A2 for getting more GBs??

Regards

Sunman

JDG · 03-13-2007, 08:44

Ok i've had it, i'm about to buy an hd and change it in my cowon a2.... i've been impatiently waiting to do this, now's my chance.

The help i need is in choosing the right hd.. there are currently 2 60gb 5mm thick hds on the market where i am;
the Seagate ST760211DEG wich has an ATA Flex interfaced connector and the Seagate ST760211DE that has an ATA (40-way ZIF) interfaced connector.

I think the 40 way zif (ST760211DE) is the way to go, remember that the toshiba 30 gb single platter we all have in our a2s has an ata-6 interface, i think it's compatible. the other thing i'm checking is if the seagate hardrives have the connector in the same place as the toshiba hardrives do so that there will be no probs... PLEASE PLEASE Help i'm a practical engineer in electronics, i can do this easily i just don't know if this hd will be compatible and i never researched hd interfaces. i want to be 100% sure before i order.

The second i recieve an answer here i'll order the HD and attempt to replace the 30gb. weeeeeeeeeeeeee... can't wait..

Thanks for all your help in advance,
JDG

P.S. And of course i'll post pics

.

BonkieBiB · 03-13-2007, 13:38

GREAT!
Been reading about the new 5mm 60GB drives and have been wondering the same thing, only I have little experience with electronics.

Don't think I can help on your questions. Maybe you could e-mail the drive manufacturers and post them the question on compatibility of the various ATA connectors.

But I will sure be keeping an eye on this thread!

Good luck JDG!

Packgrog · 03-13-2007, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwaczek

http://kwaczek.com/a2/fotogalerie_demontaz.html demontaz A2

Any hi-res photos of the board itself? It would be nice to see the chips.

-Packgrog

JDG · 03-13-2007, 16:00

Ok, Bad news; The seagate hd that i was planning on getting (Segate ST760211DE ST18 Series) has a different connector (Zif) than our Toshiba HD's (Toshiba MK3006GAL) MCD-D50 connectors. The only option would be to remove the MCD-D50 socket from the pcb and simply solder the hard drive directly to the pcb according to the pin location... risky risky but i got the tools and i'm desperate. The other option would be to find a "converter" of some sort that would still allow the hd to fit, wich i'm looking for now.

any other suggestions?

EDIT: Should we wait for toshiba to catch up? And if we do will it take under 60 days to come out????(I don't think sooo)
I'm about to join the army in 60 days and i'll be needing every GB of entertainment i can get my hands on!!

Kodai · 03-14-2007, 07:34

If you are going into the Army, DON'T take your A2 with you! You won't have time in basic training to use it. Wait until you get settled in somewhere where you can set up a computer before you get it. It might be something to bring with you if you get deployed overseas (assuming that you have access to power for recharging).

When I went into the Air Force, we had a total of 8 hours of free time in 6 weeks of basic. It was a little better in advanced training, but there still wasn't that much and I had a bunch of studying to do during that time.

Besides, you aren't going to have much space for personal stuff during basic. An A2, charger, and headphones will take up most of that space.

JDG · 03-15-2007, 11:14

Actually, i'm joining the IAF (Israeli Air Force)

and i do not intend to take my A2 with me for the first couple of weeks.

But thanks for the advice.

JDG

P.S. I think I'm gonna risk it and buy the Seagate hard drive i spoke of earlier, wish me luck!!

maboroshi · 03-28-2007, 22:09

Do any of toshiba MK***6GAL drives work? like is the 20gb one the MK2006GAL?

BonkieBiB · 04-10-2007, 03:20

how about the Toshiba MK6008GAH. The specs are equal to that of the Toshiba MK3006GAL, except for the 30-60Gb.

Ath · 04-25-2007, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDG

Ok, Bad news; The seagate hd that i was planning on getting (Segate ST760211DE ST18 Series) has a different connector (Zif) than our Toshiba HD's (Toshiba MK3006GAL) MCD-D50 connectors. The only option would be to remove the MCD-D50 socket from the pcb and simply solder the hard drive directly to the pcb according to the pin location... risky risky but i got the tools and i'm desperate. The other option would be to find a "converter" of some sort that would still allow the hd to fit, wich i'm looking for now.

any other suggestions?

EDIT: Should we wait for toshiba to catch up? And if we do will it take under 60 days to come out????(I don't think sooo)
I'm about to join the army in 60 days and i'll be needing every GB of entertainment i can get my hands on!!

I have do some research. The ZIF connector has the same pin out as the ATA connector on A2. It's possible to use 100GB toshiba's drive. Check out the pinout:
http://www.hardwarebook.info/ATA_ZIF
http://www.hardwarebook.info/ATA_Internal
http://www.hardwarebook.info/ATA_(44)_Internal

There is still no 'converter' for ZIF to 44pin .127 pitch ATA on the market yet.
Check out these converter, ZIF to 2.5"
http://www.span.com/catalog/product_...oducts_id=8932
http://www.yec-usa.com/products/accessories.htm

Documents for the pinout mod:
http://rapidshare.com/files/27928245/zif_to_ata.rar

And it seemed that somebody at the misticriver had done the modification.

http://www.misticriver.net/showthread.php?t=50738

It's very delicate work. I can do it but takes time. The ZIF cable is only 10mm across.

My proposal is to use the female connector from CF card, solder to the ZIF cable and connect it to the hdd. The 100gb toshiba drive is 7.5mm shorter than 30gb hdd. Making some space for the modified connector and cable. And as the height(8mm), is removing the rubber damper sufficient? (if want to change the drive might as well put the largest available)

stow · 05-22-2007, 13:21

So has anyone actually confirmed that HHD >= 60GiB have been sucessfully installed in Cowons?
________
Honda VTX1800T

elche324 · 05-27-2007, 21:17

does cowon has those little usb A usb B connectors if so...

what if i bought a 1.8 drive with enclosure and some how connect it to the cowon with some sort of usb adapter or wateevr will that work..i was looking up this 1.8 drive enclosure that can be powered by the player itself or laptop without the need of a power cord...wud be cool extra if it works...guess it wud take lot of battery power

elche324 · 05-27-2007, 21:25

my bro had an archos 402 b4 and was able to hook up a hard drive even an mp3 player..and was able to browse the files of those in the ext drive or mp3..and play them..i dont know if its the same with cowon...

mini · 05-28-2007, 03:46

The USB host interface on the A2 is 1.1 only, AFAIK, so it won't be very fast. It'd be interesting if someone would try though...

cjcox · 05-28-2007, 23:11

What are you wanting to try? Basically it allows you to TRANSFER files to the device... and that is all. So you plug the other device into the A2 and you can transfer the files from that device to the A2. THEN you can play them. AFAIK, the firmware doesn't allow you to play the files from the external device directly.

03-13-2007, 08:44	#62
JDG Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15	Need Help With 60 Gb Hd Change Ok i've had it, i'm about to buy an hd and change it in my cowon a2.... i've been impatiently waiting to do this, now's my chance. The help i need is in choosing the right hd.. there are currently 2 60gb 5mm thick hds on the market where i am; the Seagate ST760211DEG wich has an ATA Flex interfaced connector and the Seagate ST760211DE that has an ATA (40-way ZIF) interfaced connector. I think the 40 way zif (ST760211DE) is the way to go, remember that the toshiba 30 gb single platter we all have in our a2s has an ata-6 interface, i think it's compatible. the other thing i'm checking is if the seagate hardrives have the connector in the same place as the toshiba hardrives do so that there will be no probs... PLEASE PLEASE Help i'm a practical engineer in electronics, i can do this easily i just don't know if this hd will be compatible and i never researched hd interfaces. i want to be 100% sure before i order. The second i recieve an answer here i'll order the HD and attempt to replace the 30gb. weeeeeeeeeeeeee... can't wait.. Thanks for all your help in advance, JDG P.S. And of course i'll post pics .

03-13-2007, 16:00	#65
JDG Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15	Problem... as always =( Ok, Bad news; The seagate hd that i was planning on getting (Segate ST760211DE ST18 Series) has a different connector (Zif) than our Toshiba HD's (Toshiba MK3006GAL) MCD-D50 connectors. The only option would be to remove the MCD-D50 socket from the pcb and simply solder the hard drive directly to the pcb according to the pin location... risky risky but i got the tools and i'm desperate. The other option would be to find a "converter" of some sort that would still allow the hd to fit, wich i'm looking for now. any other suggestions? EDIT: Should we wait for toshiba to catch up? And if we do will it take under 60 days to come out????(I don't think sooo) I'm about to join the army in 60 days and i'll be needing every GB of entertainment i can get my hands on!! Last edited by JDG; 03-13-2007 at 16:23..

03-14-2007, 07:34	#66
Kodai Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mipple City Posts: 89	Hold up there If you are going into the Army, DON'T take your A2 with you! You won't have time in basic training to use it. Wait until you get settled in somewhere where you can set up a computer before you get it. It might be something to bring with you if you get deployed overseas (assuming that you have access to power for recharging). When I went into the Air Force, we had a total of 8 hours of free time in 6 weeks of basic. It was a little better in advanced training, but there still wasn't that much and I had a bunch of studying to do during that time. Besides, you aren't going to have much space for personal stuff during basic. An A2, charger, and headphones will take up most of that space. __________________ As far as we know, peanut butter has no effect on the rotation of the Earth. -- Annals of Improbable Research

03-15-2007, 11:14	#67
JDG Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 15	Actually... Actually, i'm joining the IAF (Israeli Air Force) and i do not intend to take my A2 with me for the first couple of weeks. But thanks for the advice. JDG P.S. I think I'm gonna risk it and buy the Seagate hard drive i spoke of earlier, wish me luck!!

05-22-2007, 13:21	#71
stow Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 138	So has anyone actually confirmed that HHD >= 60GiB have been sucessfully installed in Cowons? ________ Honda VTX1800T Last edited by stow; 01-22-2011 at 02:37..

03-09-2007, 03:53	#61
Sunman Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: GALICIA - SPAIN Posts: 36	Great pictures Kwaczek Any info about HD replacement for our Cowon A2 for getting more GBs?? Regards Sunman

03-13-2007, 13:38	#63
BonkieBiB Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 24	GREAT! Been reading about the new 5mm 60GB drives and have been wondering the same thing, only I have little experience with electronics. Don't think I can help on your questions. Maybe you could e-mail the drive manufacturers and post them the question on compatibility of the various ATA connectors. But I will sure be keeping an eye on this thread! Good luck JDG!

03-28-2007, 22:09	#68
maboroshi Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 87	Do any of toshiba MK***6GAL drives work? like is the 20gb one the MK2006GAL?

04-10-2007, 03:20	#69
BonkieBiB Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 24	how about the Toshiba MK6008GAH. The specs are equal to that of the Toshiba MK3006GAL, except for the 30-60Gb.

05-27-2007, 21:17	#72
elche324 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5	1.8 inch drive with enclosure does cowon has those little usb A usb B connectors if so... what if i bought a 1.8 drive with enclosure and some how connect it to the cowon with some sort of usb adapter or wateevr will that work..i was looking up this 1.8 drive enclosure that can be powered by the player itself or laptop without the need of a power cord...wud be cool extra if it works...guess it wud take lot of battery power

05-27-2007, 21:25	#73
elche324 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5	my bro had an archos 402 b4 and was able to hook up a hard drive even an mp3 player..and was able to browse the files of those in the ext drive or mp3..and play them..i dont know if its the same with cowon...

05-28-2007, 03:46	#74
mini Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 12	The USB host interface on the A2 is 1.1 only, AFAIK, so it won't be very fast. It'd be interesting if someone would try though...

05-28-2007, 23:11	#75
cjcox Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 311	What are you wanting to try? Basically it allows you to TRANSFER files to the device... and that is all. So you plug the other device into the A2 and you can transfer the files from that device to the A2. THEN you can play them. AFAIK, the firmware doesn't allow you to play the files from the external device directly.

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