iHP-140: Performance issue with 240gb drive under Rockbox

[nlak]

Hello everyone!

I just installed a Toshiba MK2431GAH drive (240gb) in a recently acquired iriver iHP-140 player. Rockbox "sees" 233gb on the disk, but the access speed is really slow. The access speed is also slow from the PC through the USB port.

After reading some related posts from iPod users (see http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=20629.0), I understand that the performance issues with my drive would be resolved if I compile both Rockbox AND the bootloader with MAX_PHYS_SECTOR_SIZE defined to 4096 in "ata.c" (according to the Toshiba specifications for this drive on http://www.storage.toshiba.eu/index.php?id=3&pid=242&sid=7 there are 4096 bytes on each sector).

Kind request to the Rockbox experts:
Is my understanding correct? Is there any other modification required to resolve the performance issues with this drive? Your support is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Nick

[spazz]

Hey Nick,
I'm a owner of a h140(upgraded to h180 with mk8007gah) and I want to uprade it with the MK2431GAH. Did you used the esskabel zif to ide adapter?
thx!
Carl

[nlak]

Hi Carl (spazz),

I have both adapters described here:
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/ZIFToATAAdapter

I have tried both of them and both work well, but the ES&S Kabel adapter fits better because it allows more space for the hard drive (as described also on the web page indicated above). You can do the job though also with the dealextreme adapter.

Regards,
Nick

[Domonoky]

just as a warning:
installing a non-working bootloader on a iriver hxx0 player will make your player a brick (only recoverable with special hardware).
So be very carefull if you compile and install a modified bootloader.

about the speed thing:
if you are tranfering via usb, rockbox isnt involed as this hardware uses a hardware bridge. 
And its very unlikely that having another sector size in the bootloader will change any thing while running rockbox.
How did you measure the disk speed ? maybe try the test-disk plugin (you have to compile it yourself).

[spazz]

Nick,
Where did you get your Kabel converter? The resseler in Canada that Kabel suggested to me are asking 150$can for one unit...wich is a bit expansive...right? I asked at span.com but I can only buy 5 or 10 units at a time...

By the way I would be ready to help with testing Rockbox...I just need to find and buy the parts(converter and hd) first   

[nlak]

Hello,

Domonoky:
Thanks for the response. I have already compiled and installed Rockbox and the bootloader with "HAVE_LBA48" (I do not know if "HAVE_LBA48" was necessary also for the bootloader, but I have done this anyway). There was no issue with the player and the new bootloader (thanks god). Rockbox can properly access the entire disk (MK2431GAH) now and the access speed seems ok (btw, I have not changed anything in the MAX_PHYS_SECTOR_SIZE). The USB transfer though is slower compared with an iHP-120 that I own (I do not know the reason), but is still acceptable. I will use the test-disk plugin at some stage in order to check the disk performance and have a better understanding of the issue.

Carl (spazz):
As mentioned in my previous post, you can use also another "model" (significantly cheaper) instead of the ES&S Kabel adapter. You can find this "model" on e-bay, e.g. http://cgi.ebay.com/upgrade-1-8-zif-to-CF-micro-ata-adapter-for-iPod-HDD_W0QQitemZ280330010662QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Cables_Adapters?hash=item280330010662&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1546. I hope this helps.

Regards,
Nick

[spazz]

Hi,
Since I'm ready for the jump(price) of a new MK2431GAH I would rather go for the best fit I can with the connector...Just a little thing I have about always trying to go for the top gadget  Gadget and music what a nice mix! 

About the actual MK2431GAH where is the best place to get it, I saw one on eBay a couple weeks ago but I wasn't quick enough to decide myself...

Just can't wait to try out Rockbox on a new ihp-0240(...how should we call this one?)

Thx
Carl

[nlak]

Carl,

Try here:
http://www.rapidrepair.com/shop/3119-hard-drive-disk-mk2431gah.html

Good luck.
Nick

[unnilennium]

Hello Nlak,

I am considering upgrading my dear H140 with MK2431GAH from rapid reapair and buying some ZIF convertor.

My concern is about the slow access and the recompiling you've done.
First i would know how did you format the drive ? did you use a 512 sector, 1024 or 4096?

I have also read in other topics that somebody screw his h140perhaps due to lack of space caused by an extra battery pack of 2300 mAH. HAve you the original battery in yours ?

Where did you buy your esskabel zif  ? (i saw the ebay ones and the one fromdealextrem. I am also looking forward this new model :http://noteking.co.kr/goods/view.php?goodsno=4957 .)

Last questions :
Did it work with the iriver firmware?
When you say long how does it take to boot and to load a song?

[spazz]

Hello everybody,
Thats it, I installed everything. But, as expected, since I have the "ATA error: -32..." error when rockbox try to boot(I if reset my h140 with a paperclip, the original iriver ui will appear fine...) it means that I will need to install a recompile Rockbox and the bootloader with a proper code....right???

So, anybody knows a place where I can dl a good recompiled rockbox and bootloader that will support my new MK2431GAH in my h140. I understand I need to compile a version of the bootloader and Rockbox but  I'm  a bit worried to try it out since I know pretty much nothing about it and I would be pretty disapointed in me if I would transform my good old h140 in a brick;). From what I understand Nlak recompiled something that worked but I haven't heard from him(Nlak, are you still there?

Anybody can help?...or guide me with a "compiling Rockbox and bootloader for dummies"

Thx

Carl

[AlexP]

Hello everybody,
Anybody can help?...or guide me with a "compiling Rockbox and bootloader for dummies"

The problem isn't compiling it, that is fairly trivial.  The problem is that for the H100 (and H300) if you flash a bad bootloader, then without specialist equipment, you have just bricked it.  A bad bootloader may well build just fine, but have some bad code in it.  This is why we strongly discourage people building their own bootloaders, but instead use the provided ones that have been heavily tested.

This obviously doesn't help you, and if someone else has already built and tried a recent SVN one, then you are *probably* OK.  However, it is all at your own risk.

[spazz]

Thanks AlexP  for answering
So from the info that nlak wrote in his previous posts is it something that I should try out? Is all the info there for altering the code and recompiling?

[AlexP]

As he has already tried a SVN bootloader (even with modifications) at it worked, then it'll *most likely* be OK for you.  What you should do is find out what version he built, and then what changes he made, and do the same thing.  Even easier, ask him to send you the bootloader he built (and md5 sum it before he sends it and after you get it).

I must stress again that this is at your own risk

[spazz]

Thanks again AlexP, I did send him a pm but no answer yet  I just hope he didn't disappeared from the forum. I don't feel confident enough to recompile(with corrections...) the BL and RB so I guess Ill have to wait until nlak show up again or that someone better at coding and ready to try it out on a similar rig will let me(us) know. So anyway, please! if anybody tries it out let me know! God I feel stuck 

[spazz]

By any chance, anybody have a way to contact nlak other than this list?