h320 32gb CF install 'kink' is FANTASTIC SUCCESS

[piscator]

"Gentlmen We Have Sound!!" and it's FANTASTIC!

I installed the A-Data 32gb CF from Newegg in my iRiver h320 and the result is astonishing.  Lighter weight, fast, RB 3.0 running very strong!

I followed the instructions in the "CFModGuide" and installed the h3x0 bootloader from the guide by copying it to my original hardrive before installing the CF card:

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/CFModGuide

I used this "Dealextreme" CF adaptor that is also linked in the guide:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10886

Here's an odd 'quirk' or 'kink' I discovered that might be helpful to others:

After installing the CF card in my h320, I couldn't 'see' it on my computer in the RB bootloader mode or in the iRiver original firmware.  Bootloader mode seemed 'locked' and the OF delivered the message "Check HD Connection" 

I don't have a card-reader, so I couldn't copy Rockbox to the CF card 'outside of the player'.  What to do?

I removed the blue 'jumper' from the "Dealextreme" adaptor, turned on the h320 -- and it booted to the iRiver original firmware with no errors.  The card was readable and accessible from my computer.

Swissknife showed the card formatted FAT32, so I copied Rockbox 3.0 to the card using Windows Explorer.

When I rebooted the h320, Rockbox 3.0 loaded beautifully on the first try.

Now here's the 'quirk' or 'kink' -- Once Rockbox 3.0 was installed on the card, I could no longer boot to the iRiver Original Firmware.  With the 'blue' jumper removed from the CF adaptor -- couldn't boot the OF.   Replacing the 'blue' jumper -- couldn't boot the OF. 

I tried this several times, removing and replacing the 'blue' jumper, but couldn't boot the original firmware the way I had before copying Rockbox 3.0 to the card.  Accessing the CF card through the iRiver OF was a 'one time thing'.

I don't know why this happened, but it might help someone trying to access a CF card 'the first time'.  There must be some interaction between RB and the OF, once Rockbox is installed. 

Another Install Note: the 'jumper' pins on the CF "DealExtreme adaptor 'hit' the underside of the battery.  To get a 'better' battery fit, I lowered the height of the jumper pins and 'blue' plastic jumper.  I snipped the pins and filed the 'blue' plastic fitting, almost, flush with the white plastic frame of the CF adaptor.  I think others have 'bent' the pins, but I felt more comfortable 'snipping' them.

The end result: WOW! WOW! WOW!  32 gigs of Rockbox without the fragile hardrive -- BRING ON THE TERRABYTE FLASH CARDS!!

As always, thanks to the Rockbox team!!  The manuals and 'how to's' are very thorough.  Great job!!

Piscator

[LambdaCalculus]

Great to hear of your success story with a CF mod.

Would you like to post your results to the wiki for all to see?

[piscator]

Lambda,

I'd be honored and happy to add my results to the Wiki. 

I filled out the form a few weeks ago, hoping to add my forum suggestions on the install instructions, but haven't received the confirmation email yet.  I'm not sure if I'm supposed to do anything else.

I do appreciate your invitation!

Piscator

[Chronon]

You should get a response much faster than that.  Make sure your spam filter didn't snag it.

[polluxx2006]

nice report, piscator !

im also thinking of a cf-mod for my H320.
what about the a-data "speedy" 32gb card??

how fast is it, in fact? could you make a speed test?
if youre a windows user, you could use a tool like
Bst5 (Bart's Stuff Test v5).

cheers,
plx

[piscator]

Pollux,

Sorry I didn't catch your reply.

It's fast!  It's reliable!  It's my favorite player!

I installed A-Data 32gb card and have had no problems with it whatsoever.  It's probably the best $70 investment I've ever made.

I also like the reduced weight.  The elimination of the hard-drive is quite noticeable.  I actually play less music because I forget I'm even carrying the darn thing!

I don't have time now to try BsT5, but I can say this, I have three h320's and the hard-drive players are clearly slower than the CF modified H332.
'
Do the 'mod' you'll really love it!

piscator

[scharkalvin]

Gave up on the A-Data 16GB CF in my Gigabeat F.
Now using a 32GB generic OEM (150X) found on ebay for $66.
So far, so good.  I think the A-Data (40X) CF is too slow for
the Gigabeat and I got too many read errors.  BUT the A-Data
units do seem to work OK in iPod minis.

PS.. Also tried using a 4GB micro HD out of an iPod mini in the Gigabeat.
That also had problems, mostly during transfer of files to the unit where
the link would hang up and die.  Maybe the micro disk was too slow in
writing or seeking for the Gigabeat?  (Though it did seem to PLAY OK
once I got the files on there).

[Seaningtime]

I want to do this mod, but I need more space than 32 gigs...

Is there a limit to how big of a card you can use??

[froggyman]

Is there a limit to how big of a card you can use??

i think it is just limited by how big the right cards come

[peteswensson]

The largest currently available CF card I have read about is a 64GB card from Pretec.  It is a little fatter than the 32GB cards (5.4mm vs 3.4mm).  The price on the web seems to be about $300.  There is an extensive discussion of installation of a Pretec 64GB CF card into an iriver H120 on the MisticRiver website: http://www.misticriver.net/forums/h1xx-specific-mods/58918-success-pretec-64gb-cf-card-h120.html.