Sunday, May 4, 2008

An Attempt to Upgrade Cowon A2 to 100GB

To know more about Cowon A2 PMP visit here.


This is actually a rewrite of the original attempt posted at iAudiophile.net forum. In fact, I didn’t post the outcome of the attempt in the original post. So, here goes.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a step by step guide and is not intended for normal 'unadventurous' users to try at home. This is just my project to prove that the ZIF HDD will work in A2. I am strictly not liable for any damage occurred such as your A2 malfunctioned, fire in your garage, the death of your neighbor's dog, rainy days or whatsoever.

The Cowon A2 PMP(portable media player) originally comes in 20GB or 30GB hard drive. These are made by Toshiba. Model: MK2006GAL & MK3006GAL. Both are 5mm in thickness, 1.8”. The form factor of hese drives(size, connector) are the same as in iPod Photo and earlier versions.

Toshiba MK3006GAL. 30GB.

Using micro-ATA connector. Same pitch as CF card connector

At the time I planned the upgrade, the largest 1.8” hdd available is 100GB, but 8mm in thickness and different connector(ZIF, zero insertion force). So my plan is to try to fit the 8mm into 5mm space and making a modified connector for the new 100GB drive. TheAt the time I planned the upgrade, the largest 1.8” hdd available is 100GB, but 8mm in model is MK1011GAH. This is a double platter drive and the energy consumption is better than the MK3006GAL.

Toshiba MK1011GAH with ZIF FFC connected compare to an AA battery.

8mm in thickness.


To make sure the drive is compatible with A2, I did some “research”.

First is to make room for the extra 3mm.

According to the documentations of the MK1011GAH from Toshiba, there is a metal plate on it that is 0.85mm in thickness. This plate can be removed. So by removing this plate will free almost 1mm. rapidrepair.com has a guide to remove the plate.
‘Blueprint’ of MK1011GAH


Between the hdd and the battery(back cover) there is a spacer to hold the hdd in place. The thickness of the rubber is around 2mm. This can be removed by cutting away the part.



So 3mm freed? No quite. More on this later.

The other modification is the connector. As the documentations of MK1011GAH shows, the interface used is ATA. So it’s basically same as the old MK3006GAL. Just the physical connection is different. They are same in pin to pin even though the pin count is different.

Here is the remapping of the pin connections. Courtesy of a guy from misticriver.




So before building the connector, I need some ‘raw’ materials.

1. A connector for the A2 side. Since the connector is the same as of CF card, I harvest one from an old 32MB CF.



2. Flat flex cable to connect to MK1011GAH.




Another thing to worry is that if the A2 will support hdd more than 30GB.


To prove my concept of the whole thing is correct, I try to connect a 3.5” 160GB hdd to my A2.

So I build a cable to connect them both.

The cable.


The connector to A2.


The complete setup.


Close up of the connection on A2.


Here the screenshot shows the total capacity of the drive.


So this all prove that A2 is upgradable with larger hdd. And my concept is correct.



Conclusion

So all these work out?? The short answer is NO. Why? The drive is simply too thick. The back cover is impossible to close.

The hdd is at the same level with the ‘ridge’ which is too high.


But, there is at least some good news. The MK1011GAH can be connected and used in A2.



Found this connector at eBay for USD 2.


Actually, I didn’t proceed to build the connector for the Hdd as it is too thick and no point continuing. I only found this adapter recently on eBay and decided to give it a try and it works. The A2 work flawlessly with MK1011GAH and I assume that other ZIF HDDs as well. Although MK1011GAH cannot fit but the new 80GB MK8022GAA most likely will. This is the drive that is used in iPod Classic 80GB.

So for anyone who wants to upgrade they can try. The connector above works but it won’t fit in A2. So you’ll still need to build your own smaller one.

2 comments:

Deepak said...

Hey I had an old A2 with a dead HDD and was thinking of upgrading (now that my iPod is stolen). Have my eyes set on MK1634GAL. Any suggestions?

Ath said...

It should be ok since it's PATA. But dont take my word. Goto Toshiba website and download the pdf specs sheet and see for yourself. Most likely it is using ZIF connector, meaning mod. Good luck.

Your Ad Here