Customize Your H1xx or H3xx

From iriver Wiki, your source for everything iriver - a part of MisticRiver.

Hard drive

The H100 and H300 series use 1.8" Tosiba IDE drives. The H120 and H320 use a single platter 20GB drive and the H140 and H340 use a dual platter 40GB drive. Tosiba manufactures several larger capacity drives that can be used to replace the stock drive increasing the capacity of the player. There are no known limitations on hard drive size, up to 80GB have been tested. The iriver firmware has a 9999 song limit but this limit can be avoided by using Rockbox firmware. Windows versions newer than win98 will not format a drive with the FAT32 filesystem if it is bigger than 32GB. If your replacement drive is bigger than 32GB and you use windows you will need to use an alternative like Swissknifeto format the drive.

It is possible to replace a single platter drive in a H320 with a dual platter drive if you remove some of the shock absorbing padding however this is not recommended. MisticRiver thread

Toshiba claimsthat the 3006/6006 drives use 20% less power than the 2004/4004 drives, have significantly better shock resistance (500g vs 250g operating, 1500g vs 1000g non-op) and lower noise. However, the spec sheetsshow the 6006 consuming identical power to the 4004, but the 4006 showing an improvement on the 4004.

Single platter drives (H120 & H320)

• Toshiba MK2004GAL / MK2006GAL 20GB - Stock drive.
• Toshiba MK3006GAL 30GB
• Toshiba MK4007GAL 40GB (PMR)

Dual platter drives (H140 & h340)

• Toshiba MK4004GAH / MK4006GAH 40GB - Stock drive.
• Toshiba MK6006GAH 60GB
• Toshiba MK8007GAH 80GB (PMR) - Out of stock.

Drive Sources

Note: H1xx and H3xx players require drives with an ATA6 connector, the newer drives with ZIF (zero insertion force) connectors will not work.

• Span.com UK based.
• dabs.com Uk based.
• SavannaSystems.com US based.

Beware "Computer Giants" - they claim to have the MK4007GAL in stock, but most likely do not. Two people confirm receiving delivery of this drive from them, but others report being able to order it but then being told it is unavailable. "Computer Giants" website continues to say it is available. See resellerratings.com.

Links

• Misticriver FAQ on Hard Drive Upgrades
• Misticriver Forum Discussion
• Toshiba's Website

For detailed instructions see H1xx Hard Drive Replacement

Internal battery

The stock 1300mAh battery can be removed and replaced with one of several higher capacity batteries.

• First or second generation Apple iPod batteries can be used as long as you switch the wires in the connector to reverse the polarity. Due to the popularity of the iPod these are easily found for a low price on ebay with a capacity of up to 2250mAh. MisticRiver thread - Various first gen iPod batteries are discussed.

• Ionity 1900mAh battery from DAPstore. More expensive than the first gen iPod batteries but you don't have to swap the wires in the connector. MisticRiver thread - The Ionity battery is discussed. This battery is no longer available, DAPstore closed on 31 Jan 2006.

Battery replacement instructions

• H1xx Internal Battery Replacement
• H3xx Internal Battery Replacement

RTC addition

The H100 series players do not contain real time clock but it is relatively simple to add one and use it with a modified firmware like Rockbox.

• RTC Mod for H1x0 series

External battery pack

An external battery pack can be constructed that uses ordinary AA batteries to charge the player through the dc socket. Both H3xx and H1xx require 5v through a centre positive DC plug. Example 1 Example 2

Connector sizes

• H1xx - 3.4 x 1.3mm
• H3xx - 4 x 1.75mm

Usb charge cable

A Usb cable can be modified to include a DC jack that can be used to charge the player via usb. Since the H3xx can charge via a standard Usb cable this only really makes sense for H1xx. Several users have done this and BoxWave produce a commercial version. Instructions can be found in this thread.

Dock

It is possible to construct a dock to hold the player while charging and syncing. Most also use usb to charge the player instead of the mains adapter. Example 1 Example 2 For the H3xx there is an iriver produced dock so no nead to diy.

For detailed instructions see H1xx Dock Construction

Appearance

H1xx

• The LEDs used to indicate hard drive usage and charging status can be replaced, as well as the backlight LEDs.
• Some users have also painted the metal sections of the case. Example 1

H3xx

The inSkin is a piece of paper placed between the outer plastic shell and the inner metal shell of the H3xx casing. A program called H3Tool is useful for creating the printout from which an inskin can be cut, but its use is not necessary.

Completed inskins misticRiver thread with examples of completed inskins.

Firmware

• Rockbox can be installed. Rockbox has many improvements over the stock firmware including radio recording, games, customisable WPS(while playing screen) and support for many more audio formats.

• H3Mod is a program that allows you to change the images, logos, and fonts, used by the stock firmware.

Other mods

MisticRiver DAP Modifications forum - Discussion on a wide range of H1xx and H3xx modifications.