iRiver iHP-120 - "USB mode" on every time without being linked with the cable

[Treehugga]

okay, so I put in the file, and I constantly get ATA ERROR -11, and ATA ERROR -32, and sometimes ATA ERROR -31, with the rare instance of having rockbox actually load...then going back to USB mode(not bootloader)
For some reason, now when my computer actually detects the hard drive, I have even less time with it. I think it's down to 4 seconds.

I just replaced the hard drive last month!!!! i'm about ready to throw this thing at a wall.

[LinusN]

okay, so I put in the file, and I constantly get ATA ERROR -11, and ATA ERROR -32, and sometimes ATA ERROR -31, with the rare instance of having rockbox actually load...then going back to USB mode(not bootloader)
For some reason, now when my computer actually detects the hard drive, I have even less time with it. I think it's down to 4 seconds.

It sounds like the USB daughterboard is loose. It is a very common problem, pretty easily fixed if you have soldering skills. If you don't have the skills, don't even consider trying.

[Treehugga]

any guides out there? I have soldering skills, but not with pcb's, only residential wiring.

[LinusN]

any guides out there? I have soldering skills, but not with pcb's, only residential wiring.

There are no guides yet. Maybe I should create one. However, you should not attempt this if you don't have experience with soldering fine-pitch PCB's.

[Muse]

I'm curious how this turned out because I'm having similar problems. My H120 is not seen in Windows by USB, however. I suspect HD failure, but figure there's a very decent chance that's not the problem.

[LinusN]

I'll try to create a tutorial next time I perform this repair. I'll probably do that in a week or so.

[Treehugga]

sorry to revive a dead topic, but I decided to start tinkering with my H120 again, about 6 months after my problem. It's still there, but i've got an update.
Currently it's stuck at "ATA error: -11," but it's showing up on my pc and i finally got to backup everything! Now I'm eager to fix this thing again. Linus, you didn't happen to create that tutorial did you?

[LinusN]

No, I have been busy with other stuff. I'll try to find some time as soon as I can.