yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] kiliss:
The size is not good ( x7500 1.0", and in your links, it's 1.8")

The interface is PATA ZIF for x7500, and your it's IDE
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] techntrek:
If they can get it bigger than 8GB, its the answer, unless someone is happy sticking with only 8GB.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] LTxda:
Exactly.

Unless you want less power consumption and no moving parts which is an advantage. I would love that but my primary goal is more space. I don't mind sacrificing speed.

I'm hoping to have an update soon :)
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
I'll try to email the supplier of they have it. I think it is possible for them to carry a 16G capacity MD. Anyway, just hoping we can use it. :)
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] mlambert890:
You can go right here:

http://www.transcendusa.com/Products/ModDetail.asp?ModNo=152

To the source. No 16GB in this packaging yet. Also, the link to that store is for the MLC version. Personally, I would recommend the (much more expensive - $190USD) SLC version. MLC packs more bits in the same space and, as a result, can give more capacity for lower price, but at the expense of power consumption, performance, and wear. id go SLC.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] PaNa-S:
wait if this a microdrive wouldn't the 32gb cf card work more easily?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] mlambert890:
The x7501 has a 1" drive with a ZIF connector. Its a fairly rare combo. The 32GB SSDs are all 1.8" (I have one for my Fuji P1610). I think that was the whole point of this thread actually - to try to jam one of those into the advantage.

With the 1"/ZIF combo, choices will be very limited.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] PaNa-S:
well can't you just get an adapter and then use a 16gb/32gb cf card?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
We would if we could. Number 1 issue is the size. We cannot cram a 1.8 inch CF to a 1 inch space with or without a converter.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] PaNa-S:
wait I though cf cards were smaller than that.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] adamelphick:
What about stripped of their casing? Any good?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] zeer:
samsung has announced ~month ago 30 and 40gb 1" PATA microdrives.

sorry can't remember the source...
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] mlambert890:
CF is 1.8" (to the question above)

For me, the sweet spot will be 16-32GB 1" SSD. Ill prob hold out for that (assuming it comes before Ive moved off the Advantage :) )
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
if that is indeed true, then the only challenge is to see if the connectors are the same and that there would be no compatibility issues. Though I doubt that there would be any. :) best to wait and see.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
Since HTC is now coming out with a 16 GB Flash, I wonder if the same can be installed to our devices?

People, maybe some of usa can find out if there are any suppliers out there that can help us source the same 16GB flash drive. :)
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] PaNa-S:
the 16gb of flash is sodererd in, if I am not mistaken. Unlike the 1in mircodrive in the older models.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] eaglesteve:
Have you seen this? Can you tell us if it has embedded ear piece and phone vibration mode?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] Pawel062:
its pretty much common knowledge that it will be soldered in. as far as i know and according to htc's own site no on both.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] eaglesteve:
Checked the Europe HTC website. I could not find any mention on this. Have you read that it is a no or are you assuming so because it is not mentioned?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] computer9cowboy:
So that is it!

Will this connector work? no adapters? I don't care about more space I want no moving parts. The advantage is perfect except for that hard drive.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] UniversalNovice:
40gb 1" drives

Here's the link for the Samsung drives

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/06/samsung-spinpoint-a1-resurrects-1-inch-microdrive-format-with-30/
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] UniversalNovice:
X7510 aka 16gb Athena

Not sure about the earpiece, but according to these specs, no vibrate:(

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_advantage_x7510-2267.php
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] eaglesteve:
I won't trust this info. It got the browser wrong,if this is any indication of the quality of it's specification.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
Guys,

Let's stick to the topic. Anything related to changing the MD to a higher capacity memory device. We'll get lost if we keep on plugging in other topics. Thanks!
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] eaglesteve:
Oops. Sorry:D You're right, let's stick to the topic.

Now. Given that 7510 has a 16GB flash memory, I wonder if it makes sense to use the same. In that way, we would be sure that if we copy over all the drivers from the 7510 ROM, it would definitely work.

I wonder if the HTC service centre would perform this upgrade for us?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
Since they are using the 16G Flash drive as one of the selling points of the x7510, I doubt they will agree to upgrade our hardware. It doesn't hurt to try though. Maybe we can look for a supplier who will entertain our questions that can help us out with the unofficial upgrade.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
I guess someone has to buy a x7510 and rip open the guts and report back as to the manufacturer.

Then if we are lucky, the manufacturer will have 32Gb and 64Gb flash drives in the pipeline...
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] LTxda:
Now this is Executive level thinking...what makes a man successful in life!

Edit: Only problem is that if it's soldered in like some reports say...well, we would have a hard time if the "bay" is not available to receive the chip. We want to work with existing connectors of course to minimize effort and maximize results :)

Immediate options are USB Flash components (internals of course)...CF if we strip it down....you see others here have been saying it won't fit, it's too big, etc. etc...what if we strip down a CF card and use an adapter? It's bound to get small enough to fit but I don't know. There are 32GB and even 64GB CF cards on the market right now. Any comments on this from anyone?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
Ouch! You called me out!

Seriously, I am ready to whip out the soldering gun if I knew what wires to connect, if that meant 32 or 64gb. Whipping out the de-soldering wick on a brand new 7510 is another matter.:D

Another problem is that new flash ssd's are not easy to buy in the retail market for portable devices. Wholesale purchases start at 100 minimum order, I don't have that many coins in my sofa.

Anyone have a retail source for 1.0" ssd's at this time?

In another post, it was mentioned that the new 7510 has the memory built onto the motherboard, so if it is true, what did they do with all that empty space????
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] computer9cowboy:
This link was posted a couple pages back in the tread.

http://www.transcendusa.com/Products/ModDetail.asp?ModNo=152

It looks like it will do the trick
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] rickyrvl:
Yes! We Found it~

They have 8/16/32GB on there~~~~

http://www.samsungssd.com/ssd_products/solid_choice.html

(The only problem will be the price....:p)
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
has anyone actually made contact with Samsung or any of their distributors? I tried calling their representatives here but couldn't make contact. I'm very interested in getting the 32G for my athena. I'll be based in the province for a year and a half. I would like to ready myself because there is nothing there for me to do. No signal for my mobile, no internet, no nothing. The least that I can bring is a lot of MP3 or videos. :)
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] LTxda:
Wow this looks nice. If someone can confirm that it'll work, meaning connect in and actually fit I'll buy one...as long as i'm not having to spend too much. With the Athena Project 4.0 coming out...trust me when I say now is a good time to upgrade. ;-)
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
32GB! This is the first confirmation I have seen for a 1.0" SSD in that capacity.

Would be nice to leapfrog over the 16GB x7510!

The connector is on the new Samsung SSD's is PATA ZIF 35 pin. I don't know about the 35 pins, but the look here:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=1262871&postcount=23

and here:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=1487775&postcount=8

Also, the HTC Athena (x7500/7501) Service Manual states in the spec section that the 8gb hard drive does indeed have the g sensor built in:

HDD: 8GB with G sensor

Now here's some photos of the 8gb Hitachi drive from the Service Manual, decide for yourself if the connector's are the same:
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
8GB Spare Part Nos. from Service manual
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
Side by side comparison
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] rickyrvl:
hi,keithwwalker!

did you open athena yourself?

i would like to know how can you take the mainboard out of the metal case,

i tried myself but i cannot pull it out...

(i have opened the camera cover, take out two transperent plastic)

but the mainboard still suck inside the case....

(i think it is jam by the on/off and comm button...,because when i pull it out,only this two button will move in the same time

the other button still remain in their position..

can you give me some guide?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
I did not take my x7501 apart, yet.

The photos are from the service manual which was posted here:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=1469136&postcount=17

I am hopeful that someone can get the new x7510 service manual so that we can see some of the mechanical differences. The connector locations on the Hitachi HDD and Samsung SSD are in a similar location. The connectors themselves look similar.

The 7510 service manual will also have spare part numbers. That may be the best way to get a 16gb SSD to see if you can hard swap it into a 7500/7501.

Then there is the 32gb drive, which would have to be sourced separately...

Waiting is the hardest part...
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] adamelphick:
Here's a link to the Hitachi Microdrive 0A40701 spec - it uses a ZIF 35 connector as well! Looks like its compatible with the Samsung SSD!!

http://www.span.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23_505&products_id=5988&osCsid=33580f
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
Outstanding questions:

Vue flow sensor, is it on the Hitachi drive, several have stated it, but I haven't seen proof

How would you transfer your rom and data over?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] adamelphick:
The rom is not on the microdrive! Any data you have on it could be copied off to your pc then back again afterwards surely?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
You are right! I keep forgetting that I don't have a Sony Clie/Palm OS anymore..
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] rickyrvl:
another good news for you all~

with the services manual provided by keithwwalker,

i finally opened my athena and reach the harddrive!

get back to the news,i have tested athena with no harddrive inside,

the VueFLO still work no problem with PIE and Opera,

i will upload the video to youtube later for you all~

that means we can change the harddrive without lost any function!

step closer to 32GB athena~

and as you all discover,athena is using hitachi 8GB microdrive,

but why my microdrive is seagate but not hitachi@_@?

my athena is black x7500,which is singapore version(state in the box)

is it any different to sliver version?

i will try to write the disassemble guide later,

athena really hard to open amount all devices i have~

takes me nearly a day !

P.S without MD ,athena is much more lighter(you can feel it!)

is it another good news too~??
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] adamelphick:
The microdrive had a 'G sensor' NOT the vueflo one... the 'G sensor' simply 'parks' the drive head if it detects any abnormal movement so the disc doesn't get damaged.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] fards:
WHat about these from Transcend? that also use 35 pin ZIF

http://www.transcendusa.com/Products/ModDetail.asp?ModNo=184&SpNo=2&LangNo=0

Looks like you can buy direct! 16gb is $108 untaxed. (obviously not a 32gb but it's a start)...
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] adamelphick:
Looks good - do people think this would fit?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] keithwwalker:
Is an FPC 35 pin the same as PATA ZIF?

At prices like that, it would be worth waiting for a 32 or 64gb version.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] tootallk2000:
Now that's smart thinking. What would Athena be like with 64 gb of memory. That would honestly make me not want to upgrade untill the next device had some kind of back lit keyboard or glow in the dark keys, but I would still try to fit that 32 or 64 gb in that bad boy.. I hope all this can come to past. :D
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
Prices of SSDs are expected to drop by 40% within the latter quarter of the year with the advent of 256G SSDs. However, the bigger question is not the price or the time but if it is feasible to istall an SSD in place of a Microdrive.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] GuardianZX9:
Here is another option, how many of you use the USB host?

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/28/corsair-bringing-16gb-voyager-gt-flash-drive-to-cebit/

We could remove the contents of the Flash drive and its USB connector, trace back the USB host wires(only 4) and hard wire the FlashDrive inside the Athena.

Do the Athena schematics have detail on the VGA connector? we jsut need to trace that back to a good spot on the main board and find a cubby hole for the FlashDrive contents.

G
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] GuardianZX9:
I found 16Gig USB flash drives on ebay for $66 shipped, I am thinking about grabbing one up and yanking the 8gb MD from my athena and finding the USB lines.

Anyone remember where the Athena service manuals can be found? I need to trace back the lines for the USB host so I can solder this puppy inside.

G
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
That was discussed earlier within the thread. Unfortunately no one wanted to take the risk or you need to install another component to activate the USB function. I tried using an adaptor and plugged a flash drive to the adaptor and usb slot of the athena. It doesn't work. usb of the athena only works if plugged to a 4-in-1 or 3-in-1 plug or cradle. Any direct plugging as far as my trials go doesn't work.

If you find a way though, kindly share it with us. It will help all other people here develop ways to further tweak their athenas further.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] bluesbrothers93:
The reference of the SSD from transcend (16GO MLC) is

TS16GSSD10-M

we will test implementation of this SSD in 1 or 2 weeks
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
That's great news! I'm looking forward to hearing the result of your test. :)
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] bengl:
Here is the spec link for the 16 Gbyte bluesbrothers is talking about (~115US$):

http://www.transcendusa.com/support/dlcenter/datasheet/SSD10-M Datasheet v1.2.pdf
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
I just downloaded close to 100 pics of how to dismantle an athena from a Russian site. I'll try to upload them here later.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] Oberth:
Transcend 16GB Flash Unit

Looks like one of these would do the trick

http://www.offtek.co.uk/item_detail...ubcat=98&off=546f1400827656ab5669b06cf99d3735

Says it's pin compatiable so really there are only a couple of questions.

1, How easy is it to take the Athenas apart.

2, Will swapping the Microdrive for the SSD be an issue (ignoring the data on there which is not a big problem can soon reinstall everything or use USB Storage and make an image)

3, I'm guessing you would most likely have to fire up the unit with the blank SSD in then use USB Storage or similar to make it appear to windows as a blank drive and create/format a partition from that side. Name it Microdrive so any roms looking for that name don't break perform a soft reset once that is all done and that should be about it.

Thoughts folks?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] Pawel062:
best thing to do would be to get the new 16gb harddrive. i believe in my new 4.0 rom i didnt remove anything that has to do with the new 16gb drive that will be found in the x7510 so it'll just be a matter or putting it in and booting the device.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
Athena Disassembly page 1
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
athena disassembly page 2
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
athena disassembly page 3

athena disassembly page 3
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] Oberth:
Trying to remove the moving parts

Thanks Pawel,

I'm looking to swap out the microdrive for the solid state to lighten the load and to not have to worry so much it gets bumped around a bit and hopefully speed up things up. I recently stuck an 8GB Class4 SDHC and it does make a difference on some of the games and removing the access lag of the harddrive will be a plus point even if the overall speed does not increase vastly.

My main thoughts on naming it Microdrive was really just for tidiness sake so if there was a script made or Rom that wanted to look for a storage unit of that name it would not break although that said does Windows simply call it Microdrive because of the interface rather than the partition being named Microdrive seeing as all storage cards are called Storage Card rather than the individual card name.

By the way keep up the good work on PK4.0 can't wait to give it a whirl :)

Edit: Ohhhh disassembly pics looks tricky but not undoable.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
athena disassembly page 4
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
athena disassembly page 5
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
atthena disassembly page 6
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
athena disassembly page 7
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
athena disassembly page 8
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
Athena disassembly page 9

I have more pics from the site but are no longer relevant to the microdrive. I'll upload them later.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
Athena Disassembly page 10
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
athena disassembly page 11
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] yetdy:
athena disassembly page 12 (last page)

Sorry for the delay. I was hoping to post these earlier but alas...

Anyway, I'm not taking any credit on the pictures I posted. I do not take credit also for finding the site. A forum member (Iforgot who) posted the link. As you can see, I only downloaded them from a Russian Site. I don't understand Russian either. I'm hoping someone enterprising will eventually understand the pictures and guide us in the disassembly of our athena for further tweaking and upgrading. Thanks!
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] tootallk2000:
Great post yetdy. Whatever happened to the guy that said he would try to install it about 2 weeks ago? Is there a direct link where I can actually get the compatible 16 GB micro HD. I've seen so many different posts of them but still not sure which one's the exact one to purchase.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] Baenwort:
http://www.transcendusa.com/Products/ModDetail.asp?ModNo=184

the spec sheet says it is the same connector type as the HD and is a SSD. All you'll have to do is figure out how to secure it in the spot of the old HD but some glue should do it. I just got my Athena today and next paycheck I'm going to order the SSD to try and upgrade it. Hopefully someone will try sooner as it will be about a month before I'll be opening mine up for surgery.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] PBL1:
Just to say this is an excellent thread, take care taking apart your device Baenworth and good luck, Ideally im looking for 32GB but see how it goes.

Great work
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] Baenwort:
I've found a cheaper site that has good reviews on price-grabber. They have the SSD for $86 US with a $15 shipping fee as they are a British company.

http://www.memoryc.com/memory/TS16GSSD10_M.html

If anyone else is looking to do this mod you can save at least $13. The transcend site does have free shipping though.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] mauveron:
has anyone tried to do something from April 6th? :)
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] Baenwort:
I won't be ordering my drive till next payday. I'm in the USN so May 1st the order will go out. I'd say give me a week to receive the SSD and then it should be the weekend of the 10th that I'll have the SSD and the time to pull my Athena apart.

If your looking for sooner then that I'd love not to be the first to do this. :) I don't see the need for any skills beside electrostatic precautions and some experience disassembling electronics. From the research this should be a simple plug-in replacement.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] mauveron:
I could try it... I only worry about the warranty: will opening up my x7500 will void it?

I can't see any warranty seal in the pics, so I assume not.

Maybe I should ask HTC :D
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] Baenwort:
Well it would depend on how you secured the SSD to the case. Technicaly you will void the warranty but so long as you return it to factory conditions you should be fine.
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] ol2:
Any luck with this?
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] xfiver:
Hi,

I have been following the thread for some time. The possibility of swapping the MD for a 16GB SDD now looks very real. Can I just add my thoughts on this, all from LOOKING at pictures/specs.

1) The Transcend SSD has the same height and depth as the MD, but the thicknesses are different.

2) The Transcend SSD is 3.8mm thick, the MD 5mm thick. But the SSD (I think) is a PCB with varing thickness all over.

3) In the Russian site, it looks like the MD has rubber/plastic covers at each end of the short side. It seems to be held in place by friction.

4) I am guessing that the SSD needs 2 pieces of peforated cards about 0.6mm thick forming a sandwich. The peforations are to allow heat (if any) to dissipate from the SSD. The rubber/plastic covers from the MD could then be placed around the sandwich ( card - ssd - card) and installed in the MD space. (No glue needed, but maybe some additional card pieces for padding where there are no ICs)

5) The interfaces are both stated as ZIF PATA so I assume the ribbon cable can just be removed from the MD and inserted in the SSD.

6) Because there is a lot play in the ribbon cable - I think this will work. as the MD area is further covered by a metal cover.

My BIGGEST fear is that I have not come across one person here who has opened up the 7500 and put it back together. Please correct me if I am wrong. Do you need to have the new rubbers, new switches (mentioned elsewhere) or can one open up a 7500 and simply put it back together again?

I did once open up a Siemens Simpad and replace the screen, but the 7500 seems far more complicated. Until I see a braver guy then me report on reassembly I lay in wait :-( .

Also - is it known whether the 7500 will work ok without the 'sensor' in the MD that is used to detect orientation?

Thanks
[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Upgrading] mw22:
despite all the pics has anyone now actually changed their microdrive for an ssd yet ?