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Has any one removed the HDD and used Flash Memory? on the karma?
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Phill_ridout 2007-04-13, 15:22 #1
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Subject: Has any one removed the HDD and used Flash Memory? on the karma?
Mine died, so i sent it back under warrenty, they sent me a refurb back, then that  died just after the warrenty ran out. To cut a long stoy short after a long time of searching, i could not find a cheap suitable hdd to replace mine. So i came up with this idea, what about using a ide - compact flash adaptor? So i tried it. It cost me about £30 and my karma is working as good as new, except ive lost all the screws, the white screen mount and the rubbery bit (i any one has thoes bits spare, id be interested in talking to you).

So the downside, its now only a 4gb player.

The upsides, im sure that its a bit quicker loading ect. Its totaly quite, no clicking, no nothing. and i got my amazing karma back ;-)

annother up side, which i have not tested yet, but because there are no moving parts, the battery life should last alot longer, oh and if i drop it, its more likeley to survive, and i can gaureentee i will drop it somewhen!

If nobody has done this, i'll knock up a tutorial. I did think about using aa 8gb compact flash card but i dint want to shell out for the extra when i wasnt sure if it was gona work! I also thought about putting a slot in, so i can change the card, but that would mean putting a cable to the hdd, and rearranging the insides, which i sont fancy atm!
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RubenNYC 2007-04-13, 16:52 #2
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Please share!  Then maybe I can resurrect my Karma and use it for running. :)
Sean Michael Taylor #21 (1983-2007). Thank you for giving it everything you had. Rest In Peace.
John30_06 2007-04-14, 08:49 #3
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In reply to post #1
That would be a cool tute. I recently heard from Jim T of karmalimbo that he's researching an adaptor for the ZIF drives to work with Karmas. This came about when he heard that Hitachi will no longer be making the 60 gig 1.8" IDE drives, and there's a very limited supply available now.
  However, as the pricing for larger flash memory becomes more reasonable, a flash implant method would be awesome. As for the spare bits like screws, mount, etc, Jim has all that stuff for very reasonable rates www.karmalimbo.com/catalog.htm, and I'm sure he'd be interested in your flash transplant technique.
Phill_ridout 2007-04-14, 09:53 #4
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ok i'll put summin together
Riolist 2007-04-15, 05:26 #5
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I'm amazed to hear that this actually works! It's the first i've heard of someone trying to fit flash memory into the Karma, but I like the idea! Even though the storage will be much less the added robustness will be welcome. I've got a few spare Karmas, I may implement this. Phil, thanks for sharing this and, yes, please share whatever information you can, especially which CF card you used. This is sparking all kinds of ideas for a Kool Karma mod, such as finally really being able to machine a significantly thinner Karma housing!!
Phill_ridout 2007-04-21, 11:26 #6
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I'll try to get sum info up asap, but im abit snowed under. I hate to burst u'r bubble, however, the cf/adapter combo is not that much smaller than the hard drive, it is not so wide, and a tiny bit slimmer, but i guess it depends on how bulky the adaptor is. Now if  you could find an adaptor to use something like micro sd. However i think that it is only cf cards that are IDE compatable.
John30_06 2007-04-21, 16:46 #7
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I just saw a very reasonable rebate offer on a 4gig at Fry's that I think would be compatible- even without the rebate, it's pretty nice. There's several adaptors out there online also.
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/5211767
Riolist 2007-04-22, 00:00 #8
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In reply to post #6
Quote by Phill_ridout:
I hate to burst u'r bubble, however, the cf/adapter combo is not that much smaller than the hard drive

That's true, but it doesn't matter. A CF adapter is just a fancy ribbon cable. As long as the CF card works, there will be a more space-saving way to install it, losing the ability to change cards to gain a thinner Karma.
aglide 2007-04-24, 07:34 #9
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I did some quick googling and found this:

http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/ItemDetail.…?ItemID=T…

Anyone know if that would work in a Karma? It's only 4GB, but they'll probably get bigger over time.

EDIT: they make an 8GB version too:

http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/ItemDetail.…?ItemID=T…
This post was edited on 2007-04-24, 07:36 by aglide.
peter 2007-04-24, 08:06 #10
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Quote by aglide:
I did some quick googling and found this:

http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/ItemDetail.…?ItemID=T…

Anyone know if that would work in a Karma? It's only 4GB, but they'll probably get bigger over time.
That page says "Operating voltage: 5V". Unless it also operates at 3.3V, it won't work in Karma.

Which would be a shame, as it's obviously designed as a drop-in replacement for 1.8in winchesters, all of which AFAICT work at 3.3V.

Peter
Hartmeister 2007-04-24, 08:58 #11
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In reply to post #8
Subject: Wouldn't this be a great opportunity to make the ultimate CF muisc player?
I think this would be a great idea to make the ultimate CF music player. Create a new case (plastic, metal or wood) that has room for a CF slot you could just plug into the unit externally. Fit the guts of the Karma into the case. Have room in the case for a larger capacity battery than the current Karma. I'd certainly pay to have my Karma regutted to have this capacity.

Another idea would be to do the same to a Trekstor Vibez.

I've thought about buying a Cowon D2 but I'd much rather buy an improved Karma.
---
Proud owner of a 20G Rio Karma.
jaw2ek 2007-04-24, 09:48 #12
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I think I will try this once I get a Karma replacement (I'm hoping for father's day).

EDIT:  Also, found this (very pricey) 16GB IDE flash drive:
Linky
Can't find mention of voltage, though.
This is my signature, damn proud of it!
This post was edited on 2007-04-24, 09:58 by jaw2ek.
BigBuddha 2007-04-27, 11:09 #13
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Would this work?  http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_memory_reader/ad44m…
I can't remember the pin # requirements, but it allows two CF cards.
Riolist 2007-04-27, 11:59 #14
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Quote by BigBuddha:
Would this work?  http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_memory_reader/ad44m…
I can't remember the pin # requirements, but it allows two CF cards.

It's not so much which adaptor will work, it's which CF card. The adaptor you pointed to will probably work as well as any other, but I don't think you'll be able to use two CF cards simultaneously with the Karma.

p.s. Phil, could you let us know the brand and model CF you used? Please?
Riolist 2007-04-29, 16:58 #15
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Well, I just ordered an 8 gig card. I'll let you all know if it works, and which one it is.
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