ATA error -32??

[hieronymus]

Been using latest rockbox build with succes untill out of the blue it crashed and won't boot! It hangs on: ATA error:-32?? When I try to re-boot into original firmware there are NO Files or Folders even though they're there when I connect USB to my iBook G4? Tried uninstalling and upgrading firmware from iRiver site. Still nothing.......  Is there a way to Reset the whole unit and start again from scratch?

[nls]

That error indicates a problem with your hard drive. You could try reseating it (disconnecting the hard drive from the player and connecting it again) it has fixed this type of errors for others.

[Multiplex]

I've just responded to a similar query (from someone else) over here;

http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=13121.0

There are may messages about the HDD/USB board comming loose and making poor connections

[hieronymus]

hmmm strange......I can still "see" the HDD when I connect the USB to my iBook.
I haven't got the right tools to open the unit but will get these first thing Monday from the local Maplin store and give it a go.....it would explain why it did boot up once, but is now reluctant to.......

[Multiplex]

If you can't get a minute Torx driver you can use a very small (watchmaker's) flat blade across the points of the star in the screw head. But make sure it is a VERY snug fit or you may ruin the screws and not be able to open the device if yuo get the right driver.

I think that the USB chip is on the same board as the HDD connects to http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/IriverInfo#H1x0_ATA_USB_board so your comment may re-enforce the suggeastion that it's bad soldering between the boards - look for comments from LinusN he's repaired several...

Check on MisticRiver for dissasembly instructions (I posted a pointer recently) - and come to think of it maybe more info about fixing this problem.(I can't advise - mine is OK at present - fingers crossed)

EDIT: I've just been looking at those board picures and I reckon that the boards a held together by the 4 brass items in this picture http://rockbox.haxx.se/iriver/naked_back.jpg and the fact that they are soldered to both boards - you can clearly see the multi-way connectors (J3 and J4) that carry the signals - solder is not actually that structurally strong and those big lumps of brass/copper will be quite a heatsink making the soldering pretty questionable in the first place, I recon that the solder joint fails meaning that the two parts of the connectors disconnect. That'll be quite a thing to fix ...

[hieronymus]

  I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm extremely nervous about soldering the hdd!!! Been trying to get in touch with iRiver in Germany direct (who've been extremely helpfull in the past) but can't seem to get through.....e-mail or on the phone number published on their site.....(why publish these when they don't work??? but that's another story......(isn't the manufacturer obliged by LAW to keep parts for 10 years after deletion of the product )
Would anyone know of a place that would be able to repair my unit? I'm willing to pay, especially since the unit is no longer in production and it is all I need for my portable audio needs....

[Multiplex]

Well you won't be soldering on the HDD - but you will be soldeing on the main and/or daugher boards, but I know whay you mean - the thought makes me nervous and I used to work on disk drive heads... (I think it's because it's *MY* player)

Linus* did promise to post some instructions on the fix when he got a chance - maybe if you search for the thread and ask really nicely he may be able to find the time to post some information that you could use or show to someone with a soldeing iron.

Did you try Mistic River ? - there are many H1x0 owners over there and this fault won't be a RockBox problem...

EDIT: * Well I must be going mad - I was sure it was Linus but I've just done a search session and found several message where he said he's solved H1x0s with soldering the USB/HDD daughter board, I can't be sure if it is the 4 locator pegs that join the boards (if they come apart the connectors will stop connecting) or is its the actual soldeing of the connectors to the boards. My memory is that whoever it was said that next time they'd take pictures and write up the repair but I can't find it now...

Further Edit: Ok, I'm not losing it - just not so good at searching... it was here http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=7687.15 but obviously he hasn't had time (I don't know how these gusy found time to do RockBox, but I'm glad they did!)

Yet more edit (several hour later): I've searched on Mistic River and found this http://www.misticriver.net/showthread.php?t=45641 and thishttp://www.misticriver.net/showthread.php?t=54835 there are several more