Any flash device success in Gigabeat F/X or S?

[ej0rge]

A few years ago i struck out over and over trying to get a CF card to work in the gigabeat S.

Over the last few weeks I have tried to get a samsung msata device in the common zif adapter w/ 50 pin adapter cable working in an F, with no success. Even with the "Fast" boot loader flashed. ATA error -11.

The same combo works fine in an H320.

Is this just a limitation of the ATA modes supported by the respective devices?

[burkjavier]

Currently I have a Gigabeat F Series running with a 64GB microSD (Samsung, I believe) - no issues for the last few weeks now.

It's an old PATA to CF converter I've had for many years, probably bought on DX.com and I had an 8GB CF card running on it for a long time.  Then took it apart, bought this:  http://www.dx.com/p/extreme-sdhc-sd-...k-white-230774  and then dropped that 64GB microSD with an SD converter.  I've been debating a 256GB SD card to drop in there instead and make a F256. 

Always a risk of course, but since the 64GB card works, I figure the 256GB SD is at least feasible.

[burkjavier]

I actually took the plunge with a 256GB PNY card, as I figured I could use it for other things if the Gigabeat plan failed.

And it did.  At least on the current CF adapter I have.  It looks like a 128GB limit of some kind, after that files become all gibberish or just cannot be played.  So not sure if it's the CF adapter, the Gigabeat firmware or Rockbox itself.   I even complled a new bootloader to no avail.

So just be aware, at least with that CF card + the PNY 256GB SD.   EDIT:  Could be LBA48 missing?  Not sure, will likely compile my own and futz with it some more.

[burkjavier]

It's the CF adapter at fault, I have this one:  http://www.dx.com/p/extreme-sdhc-sd-to-cf-card-adapter-black-white-230774

Took a chance on Tarkan's CF adapter recently, just because I wanted to know....actually got in the mail yesterday and yep, that one works.  I not only have a 256GB GigabeatF, it seems to actually work beyond 128GB (I'm up to 160GB atm, still futzing with it as I know it takes time to figure out all the little gotchas).