Question: Is it possible to upgrade/replace the hard drive in my H320/H340 ?
Answer: Yes, it is possible.
Disclaimer
For legal purposes, I, nor Misticriver, can be held responsible for any damage caused to your player by following the information/instructions included in this thread. I do make an effort to keep all the information up to date, but it may become outdated at times. Additionally, it may contain errors, though I'd like to think that they are kept to a minimum.
Obstacles
Upgrading the hard drive posed several questions. The main issue was whether or not the player's native firmware would recognize/support the additional storage space. It has since been proved that the player
will recognize and support additional hard drive space. (also scroll down to "Apple Branded Drives")
The H320
The H320 uses a single platter 1.8" 20 gigabyte hard drive manufactured by Toshiba. The model name on these drives may read MK2004GAL or MK2006GAL (the 4 and 6 designate model years, and there is no known difference other than the number). Toshiba currently manufactures two other single-platter drives with the same dimensions, the 30 gigabyte MK3006GAL drive and the 40 gigabyte MK4007GAL drive which uses new PMR technology (note: it has not been officially released yet). 320s can both be fitted with these drives without modification.
The H340
The H340 utilizes Toshiba's 1.8" double platter 40 gigabyte MK4004GAH/MK4006GAH hard drive (once again, the 4 and 6 only designate model years). It can be replaced by the double platter MK6006GAH or Toshiba's new dual platter 1.8" 80GB drive, the MK8007GAH, which also uses PMR technology. The 340 can only be upgraded to these drives without modification. You can also, of course, replace an MK4004GAH/MK4006GAH with another MK4004GAH/MK4006GAH.
Installing the new drive
The following pictures and disassembly instructions are courtesy of Jolt's
[How to] Remove the H300 Back Cover for Inskins FAQ
BEFORE YOU BEGIN, MAKE SURE THE PLAYER IS TURNED OFF. The hold switch is your friend here...
First, remove the 5 screws holding the player together with a small screwdriver or penknife. There is one on the top, two on the bottom and one on each side.
Make sure you don't lose the screws and take note of their positions, as the bottom two are larger than the others.
Next, using a guitar pic, or other flat object, make a gap of about 1mm around the cover.
Using the guitar pic, ease the back off, slowly and carefully.
Here is what you should see:
The battery is placed on top, with the rubber padding underneath, followed by the hard drive underneath that. It's best to disconnect the battery, as you do not want to turn the player on during this. You can now remove the battery. Pick up the rubber padding, and set it aside. Next, gently remove the hard drive. Some amount of wiggling is necessary, but try to to wiggle it too much. Insert the new drive, place the blue paddign back where it belongs, replace the battery (making sure to reconnect it) and close the player. You're now done with installation!
Apple Branded Hard Drives
There is a great deal of controversy surrounding Apple branded hard drives. Apple uses the same brand/model of hard drives as iRiver has in it's 1xx/3xx lines. Thus, they come up on ebay. It's been rumored that Apple drives are partitioned/altered in a certain way that makes them compatible only with ipods. Mind, this isn't fact, but it is supported by the fact that apple drives have an apple logo on the bottom left corner of the labeled side of the drive. This is a way to tell that the drive is an apple drive.
Some users have been able to partition apple branded drives so that they work. On the other hand, others have been unsuccessful. So far the procedure seems to be to use the
Swissknife Utility to repartition the drive.
Ultimately, it's best to stay away from Apple drives, as they're not guaranteed to work one way or another.
Link to the discussion thread
Drive Technology
Recently, drive technology has improved with the introduction of Perpindicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) from several manufacturers. This technology allows for larger capacity drives while retaining the same physical size. Toshiba has announced a single platter 40GB drive (MK4007GAL) and a dual platter 80GB drive (MK8007GAH), both of which utilize PMR.
IDE vs. ZIF Connectors
After some investigation, it seems that drives ending in "08" (MK2008GAL, MK3008GAL, MK4008GAH and MK6008GAH) have ZIF connectors. Drives ending in 04, 06 or 07 use IDE connectors, and it appears that IDE connectors and ZIF connectors are not cross compatible (do correct me if I'm wrong). So unless proven otherwise, stay away from drives with ZIF connectors, as they are not compatible.
Drive Sources
Ewiz.com is [so far] the least expensive retailer, US based.
Their site
Span.com, UK based.
Their site
Dabs.com, Also UK based.
Their site
ServerPartsWarehouse .com, US based.
Their site
PCUpgrader.co.uk, UK based.
Their site
VTec.co.uk, UK based.
Their site
Prices
The following prices* are roughly the average price to look for. If the drive you are purchasing costs significantly more, you are being ripped off. Shipping/Handling and/or other duties are not included in these estimates, and generally vary by area.
MK2006GAL: ~$90-$110
MK3006GAL: ~$120-$130
MK4006GAH: ~$130-$140
MK4007GAL: MR member wikiriver claims that in an email from a Toshiba employee, he was told that the MK4007GAL's release date is some time in October. For now, we'll just have to take his word for it...
MK6006GAH: ~$185-$200
MK8007GAH: At the moment, it seems as though there are no MK8007GAH drives available. aso, you can expect that when they are available again, they
will not be cheap.
*All prices are in USD
Links
Many users have now upgraded their hard drives.
*
the_winch first proved that the stock firmware will support the extra hdd capacity by upgrading his H140 with a 3.5" 80GB drive. Obviously the drive does not fit in the case, but all the same it proved that hard drive upgrades could be done.
Link to the thread
*
ducducpham has replaced the MK2006GAL in his H320 with an MK4004GAH 40GB drive. To do this, however, the rubber padding must be removed (which may not be the best idea)
Link to the thread
*
Big D upgraded his H340 to 60GB.
Link to the thread
*
Blackstar upgraded his H320 to a 30GB drive.
Link to the thread
*
bluey_02 put a 40GB drive in his H320.
Link to the thread
*Hard drive upgrade discussion thread.
Link to the thread
*
Toshiba's website
*
1xx HDD Upgrade FAQ
Note
If you have upgraded the drive in your player, and want me to include a link to your thread, please PM me, and I'll gladly accomodate you!
Updated 2006.07.21