Handtops, UMPC - Any external hard disks?

03/26/08 + Nobody99

Does anyone use any external storage devices with their Flipstart that doesn't need a power source of its own and that can simply run from the Flipstart USB?

I would like to have external storage that I can just plug in to the USB without having to use a bulky power adapter as well. I was thinking of putting my old Flipstart 30GB disk into a 1.8 inch external USB 2.0 caddy but I don't know if it will have enough power to work correctly.

03/29/08 + rr0123

I tried them again to make sure, and now I see that neither the WD nor the Lacie are stable. The Kaser is stable, I transferred many GB's over the course of an hour or so. It's the Kaser Portable Vault available at Fry's. I've only seen capacities up to 30gb. It's expensive at $90 for 30GB, but at least it's smaller and lighter than any of the 2.5" drives.

03/29/08 + tknguyen

If you put your old 30 GB hard drive into a 1.8 in . external USB caddy the Flipstart should have enough power to run it.

Recent Blog: Extra USB port for Flipstart

04/01/08 + funtasticguy

I can confirm that the above statement is true. I just received and tried out one of those 1.8" ZIF drives sold on eBay. I placed the original 30GB drive into to it and FS was able to read it without any trouble or needing extra juice.

04/06/08 + Nobody99

Excellent although I just ended up using a small 2.5 Caddy with a three way USB cable with power supplemented by using a Lil sync battery adapter. My 80GB will be arriving soon so maybe I will put my 60GB in one of those ZIF caddy. What is the exact details of that caddy you have? I would like to get exactly the same model.

04/06/08 + funtasticguy

Nobody99, I bought them from seller "Cubeternet". He sells them all the time with the listing title of "USB 2.0 Enclosure Case for 1.8" ZIF LIF Hard Drive" for a $7.99 buy it now price. He also ships really fast and had them within 3 days after I purchased them. Here's a link for one that is going to end within the next 5 hours (from the time of my posting):

link

Again, they work great and they are so tiny and portable.

04/06/08 + tknguyen

funtasticguy. I have the same 1.8" enclose case. However I had hard time to connect the zif ribbon to my hard drive. Do you know an easy way to connect the drive to the zif connector. It seems to me it is not "zero insertion force". Thanks.

Recent Blog: Extra USB port for Flipstart

04/06/08 + funtasticguy

tknguyen, initially I also had a hard time trying to figure out how to connect it. However, when I opened the Flipstart and saw how the connection was made or where the ribbon went it, then I was quickly able to connect it to the hard drive case. Again, once you know where to connect it, it's just a question of applying the right pressure as you are putting in the little cable (and the cable is very flexible). Good luck!

04/07/08 + tknguyen

funtasticguy, on the side of the zip connector, there is a little black plastic wedger that tighten the zip opening. I removed that plastic and it was easier to push the cable in. However in the process of removing the plastic wedger I broke it. The connection is still tight and it works but I put a tape over the cable and the drive to secure the cable in place.

Recent Blog: Extra USB port for Flipstart

04/10/08 + rr0123

funtasticguy said: "Nobody99, I bought them from seller "Cubeternet". He sells them all the time with the listing title of "USB 2.0 Enclosure Case for 1.8" ZIF LIF Hard Drive" for a $7.99 buy it now price. He also ships really fast and had them within 3 days after I purchased them. Here's a link for one that is going to end within the next 5 hours (from the time of my posting):

link

Again, they work great and they are so tiny and portable."

Just as an FYI, these fit 5mm but not 8mm.

04/22/08 + Nobody99

I got one of those 1.8 case enclosure and can't connect the cable at all (no problem installing new 80GB in FS). Zero insertion force must be some sick joke!

04/22/08 + tknguyen

Nobody99. I agree, it is very difficult to connect the plastic cable supplied with the enclosure to the zif drive. There might be some easy way to connect it that I am not aware of.

Recent Blog: Extra USB port for Flipstart

04/24/08 + funtasticguy

You do have to apply some force (I don't know why they call it ZIF). Trying inserting it on an angle with some slight force. Once it is in, you can then straighten it out. I've already done it twice and both drives are working really well.

07/12/08 + pierro78

rr0123 said: "

funtasticguy said: "Nobody99, I bought them from seller "Cubeternet". He sells them all the time with the listing title of "USB 2.0 Enclosure Case for 1.8" ZIF LIF Hard Drive" for a $7.99 buy it now price. He also ships really fast and had them within 3 days after I purchased them. Here's a link for one that is going to end within the next 5 hours (from the time of my posting):

link

Again, they work great and they are so tiny and portable."

Just as an FYI, these fit 5mm but not 8mm."

I also bought mine from Cubeternet and it looks like it can fit 8mm
(it shipped from Hong Kong to France in about 3 weeks).