| The 4 Gig MuVo2
sells for $200. Ironically, one of it's internal components
-- a 4 Gig CompactFlash Hitachi Microdive -- sells by itself for
$530. This microdrive is the same type that can be used in
digital cameras, which certainly tripped my fancy. What
photographer doesn't want a 4GB CompactFlash card?! I first
heard about the possibility of extracting the drive from Jeff
Billimek in early March. By that time, the news was out.
Amazon had a waiting list, and most other retailers were sold out.
Thinking everyone would be headed to Amazon, I decided to try my
luck with Dell. After initially being told it would be
backordered until June 15, it arrived on April 16.
The rest of these instructions outline how to remove the 4Gig
Hitachi Microdrive from a Creative Labs Nomad MuVo2,
and replace it with a similiar Microdrive.
There are rumors that a solid-state CompactFlash card can not
be used as the replacement. There are also rumors that only
players that read "hard drive by Hitachi" will work properly.
Other players are purported to have a sticker that reads "powered
by Hitachi", and have had their MD's soldered to the unit.
Initially, I intended to just extract the 4GB microdrive, and
pitch the left-over MuVO2 components. But
after being impressed by the design of the MuVO2, I
decided that it was worth the use of my existing 1GB IBM
Microdrive. So, I set out to change the hard drive.
A process itself is pretty simple. Just a couple screws,
some reassembly, and a quick reload of the firmware.
The only tool required is a very small Philips screwdriver.
In my case, I got by with a small eye glass screwdriver -- but it
had to be the one whose flat head was tapered down to be smaller
(see third image). I pair of tweezers would also be
beneficial when screwing the boards back into the case.
To complete the process, you will have to connect the MuVo2
to a PC to reinstall the firmware. You'll also want to
download the
latest firmware from the Internet.
1. Open the MuVo2. On the back of the MuVo2,
there are four screws on the corners -- two visible on the top,
plus two within the battery compartment. This will require
you to remove the warranty sticker.
2. The player has two layers of circuit boards. You'll
need to gently turn back the first layer; careful not to pull on
the thin connector.
3. The microdrive lies under the second board, so you'll have
to remove four more screws to extract the electronics entirely.
Three of the screws are in plain site, generally located in the
corners. The fourth screw is in the other corner, under a
piece of black tape. You can see that tape pealed back on my
four image. These four screws are not the same size, so note
their location.
4. The microdrive is connected by a fragile connector.
Gently separate the connector from the drive, doing your best to
pull on both sides of the connector to avoid flexing it.
5. Attach the replacement drive, label side up.
6. Re-assemble the unit. Some of the screws on the inner
board are very small, so tweezers may help. Before you
start, make sure the small silver play button hasn't fallen out of
the case. It it has, it's simple to set in back in place.
It will only fit one way.
7. Turn on the Creative Labs MuVo2, and note the
media error that appears. The Nomad MuVo2 will go
into recovery mode. Select reload firmware from the menu.
8. Connet the MuVo2 to your PC using the included
USB 2.0 cable. If necessary, download the latest firmware.
On your PC, click to patch, and it will be automatically installed
to you MuVo2.
9. Depending on the state of your microdrive, your MuVo2
may now be working. If not, it may be necessary to format
the drive using the menu in the MuVo2.
10. Smile. Brag. Thump. Shoot.
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