C1000 -> No Internal Hdd Option Options

[TRIsoft]

Hi everyone,

what are we doing with every new Zaurus model ?

Disassemble it !

So we can finally stop the speculations about the connector
for a microdrive: There is none !
Pics of the SL-C1000 mainboard are here !
Compare it with the SL-C3000 here.

SL-C3000 HDD connector : PIC
SL-C1000 same spot : PIC

Yes, there're a lot of solder points, but i wouldn't try to add a connector.

///TRIsoft

Marc Stephan

[iamasmith]

It also seems to be missing some PGA component near where the 3000 has its CF interface.

The component label is unreadable on the 3000 picture but I suspect this is related to the CF card and it looks like a lot more soldering than just the connector.

[jomo]

I don't know. It might be interesting to build a hybrid. As Trisoft pointed out, the solder points are there. It appears that some of the speculation is correct. A 128 MB flash-chip has been installed in place of the 16 MB. If you were a hand at soldering, you could have your cake and eat it too with a 128 MB flash-based system and a supplementary HDD. You'd have a device that worked much like the 760 and 860 with a Microdrive for storing all your MP3s and other sundries and a free CF slot for wireless, if that was your taste. Of course, you'd have to somehow find out what sort of controller chip the Sharpies were using. I myself like the HDD, cause it sure beats carrying half-a-hundred SD cards to hold my music, but I also like the fast boot-time of my 860. In any event, I am NOT a hand at soldering.

[jomo]

'Nother thing that just occured to me... There are whole cottage industries associated with 'mod-chipping' play-stations and X-boxes to do things the manufacturer didn't intend/want the end-user to be able to do (like play Japan-only titles). I could easily see a similar "cottage-industry" devoted to mod-chipping C1000s. They'd be better than the 3000 in my opinion. You could (more) easily get Cacko or Oz or Xrom onto the device with 128 Meg of flash. You'd keep the fast-boot capability, since you wouldn't be booting off the HDD, and you'd have the whole 4 GB for storage. Pretty cool idea. Now, if only I could solder.

[albertr]

Well, Sharp is pissing me off again. All I can say...
Thanks for the pics, btw.
-albertr

[Antikx]

Thanks for the pics TRIsoft.

I think I will buy the C1000. (Until I change my mind again)

[kahm]

Pretty much what I expected. With the relatively low price point of the 1000 there was no way they'd leave the CF connector in there.

So the last question that I have is: Are the cases similar enough to be able to swap a 3000 into the sexy black c1000 case? Yes, I'm insane, but I love the black case soooo much! I need the 4gb drive of the 3000, though. There's a good chance I can dump my 860 for a decent price and upgrade to the 1000 - I suspect that the cases will be compatible but I'd hate to go to the effort just to find out they're not.

[adf]

planning to sell the collateral white-case 1k cheap? drop a line

[xjqian]

It looks to me straight enough to add the controller onto it. Just soldering it (the right model) onto the board, right? Shame on sharp wasting such a big space over there.

[adf]

business op for trisoft&streamline?

find a way to mount a cf slot into the side of the battery well, connect it up and sell a 1000+? or pop in wireless or bluetooth? same idea, value-added 1k? Made in bulk, enhanced 1k's might be a good value, and a good return for the company. I would buy a 3 slot clamshell z within the year if one were made (and priced reasonably)

[xjqian]

business op for trisoft&streamline?

find a way to mount a cf slot into the side of the battery well, connect it up and sell a 1000+? or pop in wireless or bluetooth? same idea, value-added 1k? Made in bulk, enhanced 1k's might be a good value, and a good return for the company. I would buy a 3 slot clamshell z within  the year if one were made (and priced reasonably)

great idea. I would pay 1000 base price + (up to maybe $200) for such a thing. Any takers?

[kahm]

planning to sell the collateral white-case 1k cheap? drop a line

Nah. The plan has always been to have 2 clamshell Z's. I was going to go with 2 860s, then I found out that the new model (what turned out to be the 3000) was announced just as I bought my first. I was going to settle for the 3000 and the 860, but instead I'll go for a 3000 and a 1000 and swap the cases.

At least until the next one gets announced. =)

[maslovsky]

It looks to me straight enough to add the controller onto it. Just soldering it (the right model) onto the board, right? Shame on sharp wasting such a big space over there.

As soon as I get my C1000, I'm planning to add an internal CF connector. I have a friend of mine who can easily sodler one, assuming the C1000 uses the same PSB and contacts on the board are indeed connected...

[guylhem]

maslovsky - you will need a chip that isnt there, just behind the CF connector. looks like a controller. It won't work without one.

[jomo]

Anton, if you go through with this, you really HAVE to post a play-by-play of the process (finding the components, the soldering, etc.). As I indicated in my post above, this would be VERY cool.