Any definitive success with ZIF HDD upgrade in H340?

[sordup]

I have mined the forum here and the Wiki and still not found any outlined final results of a HDD upgrade in an H340 using the ZIF to ATA adapter (specifically the Chinese adapter-the only one, apparently, available in the US). I see much on the H140 with which I have had my own ups and downs (see: http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=21297.0 ).
Can anyone direct me to definitive start-to-finish success with installing 100gb or bigger ZIF drives with adapter in an H340?
My apologies if this has been a well-worn topic somewhere else.

[pwhodges]

This adapter works for me in my H340 without problem until try to re-assemble the case.  The pressure caused by the adapter on the PCB/drive/battery (I don't know which is the most critical one) then prevents the assembly from working.

I am trying the tack of splitting the ribbon cable and soldering it to the IDE plug (removed from the adapter board), but am finding it very difficult (I guess that at over 60 years age, my eyesight and hand steadiness make it harder for me than it might be for someone younger).

Paul

[sordup]

No doubt a detailed job, that. Here's to you!
The pressure problem you speak of when putting the case back together, is it an error you get when trying to boot up or does nothing happen at all? Do you know of the shorting issue to be fixed by insulting the cable so that it doesn't short out against the body of the drive? Or does it just not close back up at all?

I would think there would be more on this here. There is a good amount on the H140.

Keep posted, though, how your soldering job goes. and good luck with that.

[pwhodges]

I can only close the back by putting pressure on it - as I do, first the display goes blank (until I release the pressure), and if I squeeze harder the device shuts down and won't boot (it starts and then shuts down).  It's pressure on the circuit board, or possibly the back of the switches, that's doing it.  I can fit a single-platter disk in without this problem (I have an 80GB from a broken iPod), but my dual-platter 120GB is just too much.

I have just succeeded in splitting all 40 conductors from a ribbon cable, but now I have to gear up for soldering them.

Paul

[sordup]

I have succeeded at installing a 100gb ZIF drive into my H340 with the adapter.
However it was necessary to insulate near the connection between the cable and the drive. The powering off seems to be caused by the exposed contacts shorting out against the body of the drive when the cable folds back for reassembly. I even reproduced the short by manually folding the cable while plugged into the drive before case assembly and this without any pressure to the parts.
Placing a piece of electrical tape across the part of the case that would come into contact with the ribbon solved the matter completely. It is still a tight squeeze, but with no apparent problems.
See photos.
Much luck with your soldering job if you still want to do it that way. I hope this info doesn't come too late to help you, although it would be nice to not have to squeeze everything back together so tightly. If you can, could you post photos and steps of your project?
Cheers!

[pwhodges]

Well observed!  I have now done the same, and have my 120GB H340 working!  It is a real squeeze, though, and I expect it will damage the battery after a while as it gets the pressure quite localised.

Mind you, as there now appear to be single-platter 120GB (MK1231GAL) and dual platter 240GB (MK2431GAH) disks available at a price, there is a new choice between relieving the pressure or going for yet more capacity (which requires a specially compiled rockbox, I believe).

Either way, I will continue my soldering efforts, because if it works it will be a preferable solution.

Paul