Modifying the network adapter for WD HDD

[RockBox]

I have several spare HDDs laying around, but they're all Western Digitals. I know that you can modify your network adapter so that a WD's extra jumper has room. I'd like to know how you can do it. From the looks of it, you just unscrew the metal plate, and then unscrew the chip that holds the EIDE interface, and plug in the HDD without the metal plate at all. Problem is, the EIDE is screwed down by these wierd little buggers...never seen screws like that. If anyone knows the correct way to modify a network adapter, or knows what I'm talking about with these screws (or is willing to pop open their own NA to see), I'd really like some help. It'd save me the $70 for a new hard drive.

[seaneyb2003]

I have several spare HDDs laying around, but they're all Western Digitals. I know that you can modify your network adapter so that a WD's extra jumper has room. I'd like to know how you can do it. From the looks of it, you just unscrew the metal plate, and then unscrew the chip that holds the EIDE interface, and plug in the HDD without the metal plate at all. Problem is, the EIDE is screwed down by these wierd little buggers...never seen screws like that. If anyone knows the correct way to modify a network adapter, or knows what I'm talking about with these screws (or is willing to pop open their own NA to see), I'd really like some help. It'd save me the $70 for a new hard drive.


sell the hd on ebay buy a new seagate problem solved :D

[RockBox]

Yeah, I could do that...but it's a lot of work just for HDLoader. If there was a way to copy PSX games to the hard drive, it'd be worth it to me. As far as I know, you can't use PSX backups off the hard drive, even using HDLoader_dumb or WinHIIP. The PSX backups on CD-R bother me because they make a lot of noises that worry me; the noises on an original CD-based game are just about as bad, too!

Has anyone seen a step-by-step guide to the modification, or some pictures? Anything?

[seaneyb2003]

well.... i think its the best thing to do.

No it doesnt support psx games.

[Warlock]

Actually its easy, Carefully peel the tin back on the side of the power supply and ide connection on the network adapter. They will then slide over about a 1/16 and fit the WD hard drive. I got a 120gb WD working perfectly on a old v5.

[Ice Man II]

seaney it doesnt hurt to ask, and he found what he wanted, just because one doesn't know doesn't meant it isn't possible... :D

[RockBox]

What tin on the side of the power supply and IDE? You don't mean the metal shield that covers it all, do you? Once I got that off, I didn't know where to go. There were some really wierd-looking screws holding the IDE and molex connectors to the PCB- do i need to remove those?? If you could post a picture, that would be perfect.

Thanks for the help.

[TylerDurden]

Yeah Warlock if you can post pics or even email them to me Ill post them up with full credit to you as a sticky. Or heck your a mod, you can do it. lol. :p




Tyler!

[Warlock]

What tin on the side of the power supply and IDE? You don't mean the metal shield that covers it all, do you? Once I got that off, I didn't know where to go. There were some really wierd-looking screws holding the IDE and molex connectors to the PCB- do i need to remove those?? If you could post a picture, that would be perfect.

Thanks for the help.The metal shield is very thin and easy to tear. I didnt have to loosen or remove any of the screws. I simply peeled off a tiny piece of the shield on each outside edge of the ide and power supply, spread the power and ide a little futher apart and pluged it in. It wasnt hard at all.
I will go buy a camera this afternoon and post some pictures :)

[RockBox]

See, the problem I have with that is that even with the metal shield off (where you're able to move the molex and IDE to their limit), I still can't fit the HDD on. So, I'm going to need to get a Torx T-6 screwdriver and unscrew the IDE, and peel the metal on the IDE side or file it off.

At least, from what I've gathered, that's what I'll need to do. Does your HDD have the extra jumper? If it does, then how could you fit it with just peeling the metal? Perhaps you have a newer NA model that you can move around more? I got mine only a few months after they came out, in March of the following year- the NA came out in late August to early September. Also, the NA was used so it was almost definitely an early model.

[dodgeit]

actually if you take a small flat head screw driver and pry at the center of the power connector it will break the center plug (which you will have to do anyways) and you dont even need to undo the torques. then just clip the edge of the metal put it all back together and your done.