iRiver H340, Rockbox runs on Toshiba, not Samsung

[piscator]

Addendum: 17 Oct 08 I've now tested the Samsung HS122JB hardrive in 3 iRiver H3xx players and gotten the error messages noted below in all three machines.  In those same three machines, the Toshiba MK1214GAH has worked perfectly.

The Samsung HS122JB does not appear defective, since it formats, reads/writes from my laptop.  There does seem to be an incapatibility with the Samsung drive and the iRiver player.

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Upgrading my h340 hard-drive, the Toshiba MK1214GAH installed 'error free' -- Rockbox is up and running on the first restart! 

I also tried the Samsung HS122JB (still sitting on the desk here) but the Samsung doesn't seem equally compatible -- Rockbox reports 'bootloader' and ATA errors.

The vendor told me the Toshiba MK1214GAH and Samsung HS122JB, PATA drives should be interchangeable.  That that does not seem to be the case in my H340.

Using the 'Dealextreme' zif adaptor and following the instructions in the TWIKI the Toshiba was immediately recognized by the iRiver original Firmware.  Connecting through USB, I formatted the drive as a single partition using 'Swissknife.' 

Next, I 'unzipped' Rockbox (vers r18294-080815) to the new Toshiba drive.  (My H340 firmware is already Rockbox upgraded) so, on the first 'restart' -- Rockbox recognized the new Toshiba drive -- 114gig.

I spent a month trying to get the Samsung HS122JB to work.  Using the same adaptor and procedures, I was NOT successful.

The Samsung HS122JB was recognized by the original iRiver firmware.  It was also visible to my computer.  I successfully formatted the Samsung drive as a single partition using 'Swissknife.' 

I 'unzipped' Rockbox (vers r18294-080815) to the Samsung drive.  On 'restart' Rockbox tries to load, but then reports 'bootloader' errors and/or reports ATA errors -32, etc. 

I've checked connections, swapped zif adaptors, tried different ribbon connectors, tried the Eskabel adaptor -- no combination seems to work.  With the Samsung HS122JB I get numerous errors.

I don't understand why these, supposedly interchangeable, drives would act so differently, but that is my experience after repeated attempts.

Lastly, Samsung makes fine products and I'm certainly not 'bashing' them.  I imagine it could have been t'other way 'round, with the Toshiba not working.  I simply wanted to report the puzzle and save folks some frustration.

Sincerely, piscator

P.S.  As always thanks to the Rockbox Crew!!  We now have 4 machines up and running and by Christmas I'll have the whole family using Rockbox!

[Chronon]

Interesting.  I don't have a good explanation for why the Samsung drives should behave differently either.  I wonder if any other people use Samsung drives and can corroborate your experience.

This might be good information to include as a note on the HardDriveReplacement page in the wiki.  It's prone to getting lost on the forums.