Connect H320 Hard Drive (Removed) to PC

[PatrickXX]

My H320 battery died about 6 months ago so I replaced it. The player worked fine again for about 2 months then abruptly died (no response to anything I do). I had my music all organized how I like it...it would take hours and hours to compress those CDs again. Can I remove the HD from the player and connect it to my PC using some sort of connector?

[shadesbass]

Yes.
http://search.ebay.co.uk/toshiba-1-8...Q201Q2e8Q20usb
Any of these should allow you to connect your drive to your PC via USB, thus bypassing the H320. You can also get adapters that connect via IDE, which are faster but require opening your PC to access an IDE connector on your motherboard.
Make sure that whatever adapter/enclosure you get is suitable for IDE 1.8" drives, NOT ZIF drives. See the H1xx Hard Drive FAQ link in my signature for more info (links to the H3xx FAQ).

Of course, you should already have a backup of your music on your pc...

[GoingNow]

Originally Posted by shadesbass

Yes.
http://search.ebay.co.uk/toshiba-1-8...Q201Q2e8Q20usb
Any of these should allow you to connect your drive to your PC via USB, thus bypassing the H320. You can also get adapters that connect via IDE, which are faster but require opening your PC to access an IDE connector on your motherboard.

The ones in the silver looking case look like the one I got off eBay in Australia. They are the worst piece of shoddy crap I have ever seen. The case is so thin that it offers almost no protection to the hard drive. The adaptor has no locating lugs where the hard drive plugs in, so it is very easy to plug the hard drive in upside down. When you do this the interface stops working.

The one that I really liked was this one. It has a solid case, and the adaptor has locating lugs that make sure you plug it in the right way up. It works well.

[PatrickXX]

Thanks!

Of course, you should already have a backup of your music on your pc...

About 1/3 of it is on my PC. But I don't use them that much since I have a 100 CD changer that's hooked up to a better sound system. The H320 is for the car and traveling.

Oh, and any recommendations on a replacement? I use Ogg Vorbis so ogg support is a must.

[shadesbass]

Originally Posted by GoingNow

The ones in the silver looking case look like the one I got off eBay in Australia. They are the worst piece of shoddy crap I have ever seen. The case is so thin that it offers almost no protection to the hard drive. The adaptor has no locating lugs where the hard drive plugs in, so it is very easy to plug the hard drive in upside down. When you do this the interface stops working.

The one that I really liked was this one. It has a solid case, and the adaptor has locating lugs that make sure you plug it in the right way up. It works well.

Well the case is irrelevant in this instance as only the USB-1.8" IDE interface is required. Good point about the locating pins though.

Originally Posted by PatrickXX

Oh, and any recommendations on a replacement? I use Ogg Vorbis so ogg support is a must.

Another (second hand) H320? There's nothing like the H1xx/H3xx players nowadays. There are a few threads on this topic in the H3xx forum.

[GoingNow]

Originally Posted by GoingNow

The adaptor has no locating lugs where the hard drive plugs in, so it is very easy to plug the hard drive in upside down. When you do this the interface stops working.

Ask me how I know that the interface stops working.

There is a further point about the case.
If you are going to spend the money to get an interface, and you end up with a spare hard drive - it makes a wonderful backup option for up to 20 Gb of your data. There are very cheap 20 Gb drives available on eBay, and that case I like will fit in your shirt pocket.

IF you have some data worth keeping, or if you need to take a project home to work on, this is a good option and about the same price as the larger USB memory keys.