How to fix HD LED in cheap CF 44 adapters

[Anemos]

As we know cheap adapters on Internet and e-bay about 1,50 euro have a problem whit HDD led
Here is the solution!

Just connect the one side of diode led to point that shows the photo
(the first adapter on the left i have destroy the original led , and I replaced with main other different but working fine..)



yes it working! youtube video :>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhlLA_E3oN0

[Fingerlickin_B]

Sorry and I really don't mean to offend, I just don't understand...what is the video showing?

PZ.

[Anemos]

nothing important on video, simply that it turns ON led after moding

[Fingerlickin_B]

Oh, the HDD LED?

I saw it flicker at the start, but wasn't sure.

Sorry man, I get the point now.

Happy modding to you and everyone

PZ.

[Eclipse]

Hi,
I know what this is about, I have that adapter with that problem
Thanks for this and welcome to EAB, the video is much appreciated.
I'm off to get the soldering iron out

[adonay]

Thanks man and i who though it was my hd light that had some problem :-p

[Chain]

Originally Posted by Anemos

Just connect the one side of diode led to point that shows the photo

The requested URL /forums3/download/screenshots/cf-44-amiga.jpg was not found on this server.

please can you upload it again? thanks

[Anemos]

soon..
sorry we have server problem

[klx300r]

thanks Anemos..just what I needed

[Anemos]

No problem, and the link for big photo working now..

[Zetr0]

@Anemos

I am sorry i haven't commented on this, its a Great Mod... its very subtle, perhaps even discrete, but a great little bit of hackery indeed

[Anemos]

just happy to help some guys whit like this problem
and sorry for my english

[keropi]

holla anemos!
great mod, and it seems it is Z-approved too!

[Eclipse]

Could you explain what the mod is actually doing?
Or why the LED does not light normally? What did the manufacturer do wrong?

[Zetr0]

@Eclipse

I dont want to steal any thunder, but some some cheap CF card adapters do not report activity back up the IDE chain, this means that your Hard disk light wont flash on the Amiga.

By repairing this signal the Mod allows the device to report activity to the IDE, hence flashing IDE LED on the Amiga .

Although Its a descrete mod, its a good one!

[klx300r]

frakkin awesome little mod Anemos

literally 5 minutes (10 if you count the time my iron took to heat up!) of work to get my little HD led back up & running great..AWESOME MAN...if I was in your town I'd buy you a beer (or five) fer sure

[Eclipse]

Originally Posted by Zetr0

@Eclipse

I dont want to steal any thunder, but some some cheap CF card adapters do not report activity back up the IDE chain, this means that your Hard disk light wont flash on the Amiga.

By repairing this signal the Mod allows the device to report activity to the IDE, hence flashing IDE LED on the Amiga .

Although Its a descrete mod, its a good one!

I getcha, that would be no return from pin 39 I think.
No worries was just curious.
And yes, it's an awesome mod.

[SkippyAR]

I've just tried this mod and it didn't work.

[Zetr0]

@Skippstah'

Postie pics and we can both figure out what to do next


besides, i have an addiction to hardware pr0n.... a zetty has needs you know

[Anemos]

Originally Posted by SkippyAR

I've just tried this mod and it didn't work.

with what adapter type?
and check the led diode if is live.

[SkippyAR]

The panel LED never shows activity in the first instance.

Soldered the cable from the diode point to the led as mentioned, quickly as not to damage anything.

The result did nothing, so double checked soldering was ok, still nothing so removed cable - unhappy, dissatisfied, disgruntled customer. Will be leaving negative feedback. Wasted 0.0516 units of electricity soldering this, and will be suing for loss of time, monies, patience, false/misleading information, mental anguish, onset on depression, anxiety, stress and counselling fees.

Skippy

[Anemos]

perhaps the led diode is dead from start..
you can test it whit 2XAA or AAA batery 3v total and small wires
(led-diode has light from one side only dont remember the (+) (-) side, but you can test both sides )

[SkippyAR]

After re-aligning my slackers attitude, I tested the on-board LED using the resistant (ohms) on the multimeter - DEAD

Soldered on some wires either side, soldered across to the middle diode as directed, and then to my bike light and it works ok.

Its also worth noting that you don't need the CF on-board LED, you can track straight over it, so the HDD LED will work, or you can have both.

FOR GOOGLE SEARCH PURPOSES:

amiga a1200 compact flash CF HDD LED light.

"I want some crusha, I need some crusha, it's good enough to make milk shake!"

Cheers,

Skippy

*** EDIT - It's probably worth noting too, REMOVE your CF memory card before you begin any soldering to the CF board!

*** EDIT2 - You might wanna maybe put a little resistor across where the on-board LED was, if you decide to remove it. (I didn't) See PIC3

[Anemos]

not sure if unterstud ..your diode led is dead and change whit new?
(your photos is very small )

[SkippyAR]

Originally Posted by Anemos

not sure if unterstud ..your diode led is dead and change whit new?
(your photos is very small )

whit = WITH

LED = DEAD (replace or solder + and - together)

[Zetr0]

Glad you got it sorted Skippy!

[SkippyAR]

Yeah, it makes sense to do the job properly.

When I install the SFF CDrom drive, I want to be able to put the thing back together, looking nice, with everything working.

Gives me peace of mind too, to check there is no transfer activity before doing a soft reboot or powering off.

[Dimlow]

Just a note to say that i have one of the adaptors in the first post, the one in the right pic. The LED has never worked on the adaptor or the Amiga. I did this Mod and it still did not work. After investigating further, i found that the led is round the other way, and you have to solder to the other end of the led. After i did this it all worked.

Skippy this was probably your problem too, as you cant test an led with a mutimeter in resistance mode(ohms), you should have it in diode test(voltage drop)!

Regards
Gary

[SkippyAR]

Originally Posted by Dimlow

Just a note to say that i have one of the adaptors in the first post, the one in the right pic. The LED has never worked on the adaptor or the Amiga. I did this Mod and it still did not work. After investigating further, i found that the led is round the other way, and you have to solder to the other end of the led. After i did this it all worked.

Skippy this was probably your problem too, as you cant test an led with a mutimeter in resistance mode(ohms), you should have it in diode test(voltage drop)!

Regards
Gary

Now he tells me!! Thanks for the advice though, Gary.

I personally didn't want an LED inside the case. Thought it might look a bit Chavvy, like those blue neon lights on the undersides of cars. Next thing you know I'd be bolting a Sub Woofer and crossover kit on the a1200.

[rkauer]

Originally Posted by SkippyAR

Now he tells me!! Thanks for the advice though, Gary.

I personally didn't want an LED inside the case. Thought it might look a bit Chavvy, like those blue neon lights on the undersides of cars. Next thing you know I'd be bolting a Sub Woofer and crossover kit on the a1200.

You forgot the faggy exterior: crystallized painting, 20" wheels and some spoilers!

[Zetr0]

so additions

• Chrome Grill
• Stipple Leather Keyboard Dash
• Low Profile Floppy Bay
• Gold Trim
• ................ and.................... Furry Dice

see now thats a pimped amiga

[Chain]

well, i must post my version of this hack, cos i dont like ugly wires and i cant take it anymore...



if you measure it, you will find that my hack is connected exactly same way as that grey ugly wire

[SkippyAR]

Pimp My Ride...

@Chain
Nice work, well done.

[SkippyAR]

Originally Posted by SkippyAR

...I personally didn't want an LED inside the case. Thought it might look a bit Chavvy....

Thinking of putting some car audio passive crossovers, low pass, bandpass, highpass filters into this CD32, along with a spoiler, 22s, personalised number plates, turbo charger, ice subwoofer 800w 25cm...

This guy in the photo below, who loiters in the local park most nights drinking 3 litres of White Ace Cider seems to think it could be done.

Should be interesting...

[Zetr0]

I sware you practice these mug shots in front of the mirror

LOL

[TheCorfiot]

Originally Posted by Chain

well, i must post my version of this hack, cos i dont like ugly wires and i cant take it anymore...



if you measure it, you will find that my hack is connected exactly same way as that grey ugly wire

I've modified my 44pin to IDE adapter as shown above by linking the transistors and shorting out the 2 middle pins of the resitor pack.

When installed in my A600 sometimes the HD LED stays off untill the A600 has been on maybe 10 mins when it magically starts to function.
If I cycle the power it stays off again.
Sometimes it refuses to work full stop....
I'm a bit confused any ideas guys

[Chain]

middle pins of resistor was already shorted when i bought it (this joint is connected to +5V) so you probably have different adapter.

[TheCorfiot]

Thanks Chain

OK I'd better remove that short then, btw should the LED on the adapter be removed too...

Thanks

[Akira]

I got the adapter shown in the original posts's picture (the one in the left) and I didn't need to modify it, the LED works fine in my Amiga.

At least it SEEMS like it's the same one (except mine has a very small LED, not that big one.)

[Chain]

Originally Posted by TheCorfiot

btw should the LED on the adapter be removed too...

thats not necessary, they will lit both