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Adding an Extra Harddrive and Switch to Your Xbox (v0.1) - Thanks
To Xbox-scene.com
Tutorial written by : Hardwareman
Last edited: September 15, 2003
The Finished Product
Notes:
Yes, this does work, you only have 1 Harddrive on at a time, so
there is no problems with the IDE channel's 2 device limit. This
can all be done for less than $15 If you screw anything up, don't
blame me or the site you're reading this on, this is relatively
simple, if you can solder d0, you can do this
This is stage 1 of 2. I plan on adding a 2.5" drive to the
box underneath the DVD drive if possible, by eyeballing it, it looks
like one would fit, the 3.5" is just a hair too big. Hopefully
you'll get an update sometime about the status of that project.
Before we begin I'd like the thank The llamma for motivating me
to write this down, and also project 411gb for helping me to figure
out IDE cable crimping, which I've gotten a lot of practice at since
then.
What you'll need:
Probably will need an extra harddrive
Power Connectors (Molex, I believe is the term)
* a. Two male for harddrives, available from: A salvaged PC Powersupply
* b. One for input, female from: a P4 power converter (Thanks, Intel,
I knew those were good for something) Also available from pc fan
adaptors.
* c. Wire, about 18-22ga is fine
* d. DPDT -Double Pole Double Throw- Switch available at: Radio
Shack, don't need a big one, just one rated for 3 amps or so, really
anything above 2amps should be good.
IDE Cable:
* Some 40pin IDE Ribbon Cable available at: I found some 3' IDE
cables for like $3, I just chopped it up, but I'm sure you can buy
the cable premade somewhere. My plans call for 2' But keep in mind
that the connector must be free of holes, or this won't work (in
other words dont buy a cable that has extra connectors and remove
the connectors, we want to crimp virgin cable here)
* IDE Connectors x4: Steal from the cable, but again, I'm sure you
can get them somewhere.
Tools:
* Soldering Iron - 30watt a little less or more, but not too much
more
* Wire Cutters
* Vise (you could probably use a display at a hardware store)
* What you need to get your box's lid off
* Electric tape
* Mutimeter to check connections
Procedure
1. Creating the Power connector
* a. Heat up the Soldering Iron
* b. Strip your wire and connnectors
* c. See diagram for wiring process
* d. If you wish for a box that doesn't look like frankenstein's
bride, you will probably solder one of the male connectors on outside
of the box so you can close it, this goes the same with the IDE
cable on the next step.
* e. Check continuity of all wires with a multimeter, and drench
switch contatcts with liquid electric tape if you need to feel safe.
Make sure no shorts!
The Finished Switch Setup
2. Creating the IDE Connector
*This one requires some finess with the screwdriver*
Before you put the ends on, you may want to cut a fin from your
box on the back and run the cable through!
* a. Take your recently purchased IDE cable, which needs to be
24" in length.
* b. Remove Appropriate connectors (refer to next step before doing
this)
Removing Connectors:
- I. Different Cables will be different!
- II. Turn the pins facing a table
- III. Take a *small* screwdriver and shove it down the holes on
the left and right side of the connector, but not too hard, you
need the pieces on the side to be intact so you can line up the
cable when you crimp it! After this, they just pull off the wire.
Pre-crimp in vise
A crimped end
The finished Cable
Sorry, no pictures here, can't do this and shoot film, and its
too late to call someone
* c. Figure out ways to make connectors the following distance
apart: 5"-10.5"-9.5" (yes, I know that adds to 25",
not 24") Feel free to improvise, but 5" is the shortest
you'll be able to get away with when it comes to length between
mobo and DVD drive
* d. This is REALLY important!!!!! READ THIS, the notch needs to
be facing you on the cable with the red line on the right!!!! VERY
IMPORTANT, do this or you'll emanciate your drive!
* e. To put the cable together, you've gotta have a vise. To do
this, line up the connector and cable appropriately, and if you
have both halves of the connector, just put them together around
the cable, insert in vise, and squeeze them snugly.
3. Putting it together
Take off your lid
* a. Connect the connectors in the fashion you find most suitable
(the red line facing the power connector on the hard drives, I hope!).
* b. Connect the female power connector to the xbox's power from
the original hdd (if you lack this, just shove the wires in, or
stip 'n solder)
* c. Double check jumpers, should both be cableselect on harddrives
* d. If you feel the need you can run the switch under the front
of the Xbox with a little hassle, or out the back with no hassle.
4.Testing the box
* Be gentle with those IDE cables, remember, you don't want to
recrimp
* Plug in the extra drive into the second port and see if box boots
(I assume that you already prepared the drive)
* If it boots, unplug it and try it in the second port, make sure
it has power through both switches
* Now, you're set, plug in your good drive, and give her hell
Tutorial written by : Hardwareman
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