PowerBook 2400c and CF to IDE adapter

[just.in.time]

Quick question for anyone that has upgraded their 2400c internal hard drive to a Compact Flash adapter. Did you have to do anything to help secure it to the logic board, or just letting the IDE connection carry all the weight? The 2400c board only has the screw holes at the far end, none towards the front near the connector. So no way to secure the CF to IDE adapter into place.

 

[LaPorta]

I personally use an SD to IDE adapter in my 1400 (just easier and cheaper), but I use double-sided foam tape to just stick it to the internal plastic.

 

[just.in.time]

Hi @LaPorta
Yes it looks like the 1400 has an easier layout. Likewise, the 3400 is also easier to work with. And way different than Lombard/Pismo machines.

The setup in the 2400c is a little different. The hard drive is mounted directly onto the logic board, with the front held in place by the IDE connector (no ribbon cable, direct connector) and the rear held in place by two screws that are put in from the top of the logic board. Once reassembled (and the computer is sitting open, on a desk) the hard drive is suspended upside down from the bottom of the logic board. Definitely a different setup than the other PowerBooks I’ve worked with. No drive cage/sled/mounting in the plastic case. Only direct to bottom of logic board.

From what I’ve read, electronically this should all work no problem as long as the CF card is UDMA compliant. I went with a SanDisk 32GB model as it was the smallest capacity I could find. My only concern is if the weight of an adapter and CF card (or even SD Card and adapter) would over time (many years) cause the IDE connector to break its solder connections on the logic board.

Did this all on an impulse since I opened the computer up earlier this week to remove the PRAM battery before it leaks. I have all the parts sitting on my desk (delivered yesterday from Amazon), before I decide to move forward with reassembling the computer. I do have an old 10GB drive I could use instead and at least it would be long enough for the rear screws to provide support and a small upgrade from the 6GB drive currently in the machine.

 

[LaPorta]

I think I know what you mean, and I think it would work both ways. If you get thick enough foam tape, it should help keep the drive from "hanging" in mid air...which is what I think you are saying.

 

[beachycove]

I had a CF card in my 2400, supported by the connector alone, for the reasons stated in your post. Worked fine, was fast, quiet and all the rest — until the vibrations eventually broke the IDE connector right off the board. Still don’t have it working, but will likely be trying again to fix it this winter.

So, I strongly advise finding some way to secure the thing.

 

[just.in.time]

Thank you for the notice on that @beachycove . I hope you can fix yours so that it’s 100% again.

I’ll have to see if there is a full size 2.5” adapter of some sort with proper mounting holes.

I like the double sided foam tape idea @LaPorta , just not sure if there is a way for me to do it on this set up as the adapter still has to be able to slide forward to secure into the connector.

Short term, I’ll probably continue to use the current 6gb drive or maybe the spare 10gb drive. Perhaps this CF adapter will be a good fit in a clamshell iBook.

 

[LaPorta]

Hmm, that’s a good question…let me ponder that as well.

 

[beachycove]

Support could surely be fashioned by gluing strips of something (hardwood?) together to construct a frame, which in turn could be screwed down, but extending back over the card to give it support. Alternatively, a small piece of wood with a rabbit/ rebate cut in it to hold the end of the card sturdily would achieve the same thing.

I can’t see it being all that hard to do. Wish I had gone that route years ago.

 

[jp580]

I had a CF card in my 2400, supported by the connector alone, for the reasons stated in your post. Worked fine, was fast, quiet and all the rest — until the vibrations eventually broke the IDE connector right off the board. Still don’t have it working, but will likely be trying again to fix it this winter.

So, I strongly advise finding some way to secure the thing.

You've just found me a weekend project to do

 

[gw280]

I had this exact issue on a PowerBook 2400c I just picked up. Ended up ordering this and it works perfectly: https://www.amazon.com/Syba-Compact-Adapter-Enclosure-SD-ADA45006/dp/B0036DDXUM/