Further challenge: can you replace the HD in the Muvo with a CF card or the 2GB Microdrive and have it still work?

This is really funny... This guy is trying to sell his as an "improvement" for around $200!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3085448791&category=15058

^ That's funny stuff. I'm off to buy myself a Muvo.

I read somewhere the speed of the drive could be improved if it was formatted FAT16 instead of FAT32. Can anyone verify this?

Personal-experience question - what kind of D100 performance are you getting from the drive (day to day shooting RAW)? How long are you waiting between shots? Curious (and before your article, unable to afford MicroDrive) photo geeks wanna know.

Theodore: an completely unscientific test tells me that it takes 1-2 more seconds for the camera to write an image to the MicroDrive. Not a big hit, but just enough that if you shoot 4 in a row, you'll have to wait a noticeably bit longer for the buffer to write all those shots to the drive.

I read somewhere that the latest Muvo has the microdrive sealed to the unit, therefore making the extraction impossible. can someone confirm with me on this?

Is it true that the Microdrive consumes a lot more power than a CF Card?

I am planning to put the Muvo 4GB microdrive in a Nikon D70.

Chris

Having last night exrtacted the 4GB drive from the Muvo and up/down grading it to a 1GB (depends on your perspective) I can asure everyone that it works.

As for posts on power consumption of a MD, the answer is yes - more power is needed for a MD than a CF card as it has moving parts ect. The images take a little longer to write to a MD as it has seek times and other hard disk specific malarkey.

The MUVO with a 1gb MD in is just fine, but on all accounts the hack won't work with a CF - try it out, you can buy thr MUVO cases on EBAY with no MD in for about £30. If it works great, if it doesn't, sell it on!

Currently stuggling to get more than 2gb out of the 4gb card, but thanks to original poster that should be a distant memory after tonight.

Ian

Ian- From what I understand you need to format it as FAT32 on your PC to get the full 4GB. (though this is all from reading web posts - I haven't done it!) good luck T

Ian- From what I understand you need to format it as FAT32 on your PC to get the full 4GB. (though this is all from reading web posts - I haven't done it!) good luck T

i took my 4GB out and sold it for $330US.. put in a 512MB in the player and works fine..

the muvo does work with a flash card but only certain ones. i sold my drive-less muvo to a friend at work and he was able to get it going with a flash card. try googling around -- somewhere out there there is a list of flash cards that work and don't work. he told me that he found this list while he was working on it.

the 4GB microdrive is too slow! i think i prefer my (not even really that fast) 1GB flash to the microdrive. and after i had taken about 200 pictures on the microdrive and it was about half full, i started getting errors.. the card was no longer writable. i'm worried that the drive has some bad sectors, and i have no idea how to remap them. this is on a canon 300D.

I just purchased a muvo2 without the 4gb microdrive how and what card can i use to get this to work for myself. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi,

I have two old 340 MB microdrive lying around. Would I/could I put one of these into the muvo2?

kind regards,

Hans Keesom

hi, just buy 4gb hitachi microdrive from ebay - person sell it as brain new - when i put it into my canon eos 300d it light up cf acces diod and froze up. i took it to circuit city and thay try it with me in all digital cameras thay have - some of them froze - some give us error cf. works only on pc - so we formate in on 32 fat - still doesn work at all with anything else but pc. can enyone help please? thnx

I bought a MuVo2 from a friend who got it for the 4GB hdd for his camera... now my question is, will this MuVo2 work with the 2.2GB MAGICSTOR MICRODRIVE? I dont need a 4GB, I could get by with a 1GB! :)

Also, can I replace the HDD with a CFII card, say a 1GB Compact flash memory module? Is that feasable? Thanks!!

For thos curious in using the Muvo shell with a lower MB flash card here is some good info.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1%20023&message=7308713.

I was successful at getting the 4GB drive out and formatted in my Canon 10D. Additionally, I took a 1GB Sandisk CF card as was successful to get this to work in the Muvo. For me, the key was to back up the unit with the 4gb drive to my pc prior to formatting in the camera. I restored the backup to the 1gb muvo, reflashed the firmware and whammo. . . a 1gb mp3 player and a 4gb card in my camera. Not bad for $200.

Hello,

can this be, that the Creative MuVo including 4GB (~220 EURO) is even more cheaply that the IBM (Hitachi) 4GB Microdrive ALONE (^220EUR)!!??

saw it on ebay.

So theoreticly is it possible to buy a new Creative MuVo WITH 4gb MD (for 220 EURO) and sell the Creative MuVo WITHOUT the 4gb MD (for 70EUR - see on ebay) AND sell just the Microdrive (for digital cams for example) for even more than 220EUR and u can earn money(?)

what u think?

MuVo's @ ecost.com for $188 US.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=439581

Creative/Hitachi changed the microdrive they sell in the Muvo2 so that you cannot use it in cameras anymore. The new ones are out since one to two weeks now. You might be able to get an old one if you are lucky.

I popped a Muvo "harvested" 4GB Hitachi Microdrive in my 1Ds and the one 1Ds formatted the drive as a 2GB drive. Sure, I was disappointed. I then reformatted the same HMD in a Canon S50 and the S50 reformated the drive as 4 GB, Now when I use the drive in the 1Ds not only does the 1Ds see it as a 4GB drive but the 1Ds reformats the drive as a 4GB drive. Go figure.

Apparently there new Muvos do not feature removeable drive. You don't get the wallet with the player and the drive can't be removed, or at least Creative Labs says it can't be. I bought the new model and have been afraid to even open the plastic for fear I won't be able to return it. I would like to know if someone has gotten the drive out of the new model that isn't supposed to be able to be removed?

Thanks!

Lew

They changed the drive to an ATA standard instead of CF. The new drive cannot be used anymore. It is similar to the IPOD's version, still a hitachi 4gb drive, just different controller chip.

I got the new Muvo with the "44C" drive. The drive came out amazingly easy. However, I have still been unable to use it in my camera. Even after reformatting it. Seems like only a Firmware change may make it work, but haven't found any source of doing that. The drive works fine as a windows drive using a flash reader.

Is there anyway to see if a Muvo is an old one (thus aloowing the microdrive to be used) before I go and buy one ?

I've seen some posts about the new modified muvo. but no answers yet... I have the same problem, but I am on a tight time frame... long story, can't explain.

Can somebody please tell me if this can be solved or is there no other way but to return the unit?

expediency will be very much appreciated...

I got the same screwy drive that doesn't work in my digital camera, no matter how I format it. Seems like I just dumped $200, because as an MP3 the Muvo sucks (I have the iPod anyway). If it is only software that's different, I believe someone would find a hack, but I suspect that the controller is partly hardware, can anyone confirm?

well folks, I've done my bit of research... There ain't no way anyone is going to use this new-modified microdrive in a device that only supports CF.

It now works only in ATA mode. Ain't life a bitch...

There is a way to unlock the microdrive 44 C. You have to update the firmware. There is a tool.

a Tool ? Where ?

i need that tool too, does anybody know where you can get it?

yeah - that tool sounds VERY useful, common Muller, tell us where..

Give us the tool Müller~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is no Tool ! That was just a Joke from Müller.

I think he just wanted to get more money at EBAY. I ´ve sold my new Muvo at EBAY after I realized that the microdrive don´t work in my F 828.

No Tool from Müller....

I need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a Nikon D70 where I am trying to insert a Muvo 4gb hdd. I format the card with FAT32 from the card reader and it still shows [CHA]. Any idea what to do next????????/

I found the same on my problem on my D70...

I've been reading the OEM info on Hitachi's site. The mode control CF+, IDE, I/O can be controlled during powerup of the device. If you notice on a PC card adaptor the length of the PINs vary. ( Creative's PINS are all the same length ) When a card is inserted and during power up the device is configured to CF+, IDE or IO.

Another way is in the Flash of the ROM, the first word controls CF+, IDE and IO as well.

Anyone who have the ability to read and write the ROM file can convert ATA to CF+ or adjust the pin length (on proper pin) to set CF+ mode when the card is inserted / power up.

It will not be long until this is cracked....

JF

Hi guys,

I'm loocking for a conection solution between Creative Muvo 2 4 Gb and Nikon Coolpix 5200.

I don't know if exist any driver (any way) to connect directly both machines.

Thanks for all

Just wondering if anyone knows if its possible to buy a second hand Muvo that will work in a camera ? Basically, if its previously been used to store songs on the MP3 player, can it be used to store photos later ?

Cheers

Is it a solution to use a Hitachi 44C drive (lock) into a PDA? to store pictures for exemple

Thank you to email me

I have just bought a new MuVo, and removed the Microdrive...it is a 45C 4gb drive. I had previously removed a microdrive from an Ipod mini...(didn't work in my camera). I replaced the removed drive in the MuVo with the drive from the mini, and after 2 reboots, it works! The new drive removed from the MuVo does not work in my Sony F828...I get the same error as the drive from the Ipod...I have formatted it with Fat32, and my computer sees it as a drive, but my camera won't. I am in agreement that I believe Hitachi has changed the new Muvo microdrives to act like the Ipod's....Someone please find a hack!!

hello, u guys r really cool. i bought a creative nomad muvo2 1.5 G . now its giving problem. its saying "media error" and its not connecting with the pc. even i cannot format or clean or do the other things. any 1 will plz tell me is it possible to repair it by bringing out the flash card and format it? my device is muvo 1.5g, here all talked about 4g, so i m confused.

Welcome me as another sucker! I bought the MUVO with the 4 GB Microdrive for the specific purpose iof extracting and formatting it for use in my Sony F828. It is the model 45C Hitachi. The camera gives a CF card error and will not format it. I did format it with FAT32 on the PC but the camera still will not recognize the card. It appears that Hitachi has crippled the card in some way to prevent its use in cameras to force sales of the "camera drive" by itself at double the price. (Good marketing - Bad public relations.)

If anyone knows how to format the 45C for use with a F828, PLEASE let us know.

Thanks,

Konrad Poth

Mine was 46C. Having the same problem, the 4GB micodrive was only able to regonized as ATA but not CP. Tried many times on recreating the partition and formating using different kind of utilities but just not work. It seems to be need some lower level patch for the ROM. Will very appreciated if anyone can help. Many thanks.

Mine was 46C. Having the same problem, the 4GB microdrive was only able to regonized as ATA but not CP. Tried many times on recreating the partition and formating using different kind of utilities but just not work. It seems to be need some lower level patch for the ROM. Will very appreciated if anyone can help. Many thanks.

hitachi sucks

Hi can anyone who has had a model of the Muvo that was Pre-ATA, tell me whether the packaging had

FG Part No. 14 Partition Part No. 28 Rev A

I have one of these muvos and I'm not sure whether it is a version where I can remove the hitachi 4gb CF. Otherwise I'll just sell it on ebay.

thanks.

Take your ata capable microdrive and plug it into an ide compactflash adapter. plug that into your primary ide slot on your motherboard (unplug all other hard drives!!!!!!). I have a disk utility that completely wipes the drive of all info. and fdisk it, format it with an old dos boot disk. Since it is ata capable it should be recognized by the hard drive interface. this is all theoretical and i havent tried it but it might get rid of the crap that hitachi put on it. the interfaces are relatively cheap and if it works, WHooHAA

guys need your help badly, i've got the Muvo2 with the Hitachi hard drive sticker (and 44C as part of the serial #). anyway i extracted the 4GB MD and tried swapping the older 512MB MD & Sandisk 64MB CF both wont work. always having Media error message. Now i did format the original 4GB MD in XP using CF card reader, and put it back to the Muvo2. And now its the same - Media Error. No matter what i select [Run PC Scandisk, Clean up, Format all, Reload Firmware] all is "Media Error". But i know the drive still works when connected to CF reader. What can i do? now its an expensive junk, can't even use it as MP3 player. Don't have the 300D to put it yet as well. thanks in advance!

I recently dropped a 1GB FC type II and now it won't boot up. I sent it off to a company that said they could repair it and the quote came back $4300 (the 360 pictures on the card aren't worth that). I'd like to take it apart to have a look around myself but can't find the tools to do it. I need a 3 pointed micro screwdriver. Any idea where I can find such a thing?

I recently dropped a 1GB FC type II and now it won't boot up. I sent it off to a company that said they could repair it and the quote came back $4300 (the 360 pictures on the card aren't worth that). I'd like to take it apart to have a look around myself but can't find the tools to do it. I need a 3 pointed micro screwdriver. Any idea where I can find such a thing?

Hi Melvin, your case mentioned was actually not a problem. You will only need to download the firmware update from creative (the file should be around 1MB++) and it should work after update.

Hi Juan,

I have the same version as you, FG Part No. 14 Partition Part No. 28 Rev A

and, yes, these are the original versions! Meaning you can take it out and use it in certain cameras. :)

The only reason i bought one off E-bay is for when the 8 and 16 Gb cards come out. w00t wer l337 h@x0rz lol psyche!

good

Has somebody tried to use the 4Gb MD on Sony F828? Does it work?

I've just bought a muvo2 but I haven't taken off the MD. I've seen on the box written that the MD doesn't work on CG devices. For me is quite hard to discover if it is a new muvo2 with ATA MD or not.

Can somebody help?

Hi Dorel, what device you're planing to use with the microdrive? Your version look to be the new batch that did not able to regonized as CP device.

Help. I've joined the many with the same issue, I have a 4GB Hitachi Microdrive "45C" What do I do with this drive? throw it in the bin?

The Muve version:

FG Part No. 14 Partition Part No. 28 Rev A

Does NOT contain an early model MD, I just opened mine and found a 46C model. I am currently looking for a hack to allow this to be used as CF. If anyone has info let me know.

Does anyone know if the ATA version (44C,45C,46C) can be used in a PDA? I didn't want to use for a camera, just to extend the functionality of my PDA for MP3s and mpeg4. Thanks!

It was no different to use on either camera or PDA. If it didn't works from any one then both will not working.

Keep trying- You'll all eventually get it....

Uhmm- i think the "Gig" is up.

in the forums at dpreview.com (the storage media forum), people have now found that the 5GB Rio Carbon, has a seagate 5gb microdrive that has worked in some cameras...

it retails at best buy for about $249...

This guy with the rio carbon says that his ipod 4gb drive works as CF after he loaded the firmware on it from the rio. Maybe it would do the same for muvo drive.

Try using a linux box to format the drive. It's easier to do than run Fdisk on an obsolete DOS prompt. Try out Knoppix live-on-CD boot disk, free from linuxiso.org. Sounds cool. I have an iPaq 3765, and it would totally rock to use a card on there. Maybe I'll try to run the Rio hack. BTW, I have Gmail, if anybody would like a free invite.

u may see the following: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1023&message=10224662

this man has solve the problem of his ipod microdrive

Having a problem with the D-70 recognizing the 4Gb card. I formated it in my card reader w/ FAT32. I keep getting the error CHA. When I try and format it in the camera it starts to format but then goes to CHA again. Card works perfect in my card reader. Any Idea's or help would be greatly apriciated.

hi Lim, sorry i was out of the FORUM for awhile so couldn't comment on your reply. Okay same as my last post, all the things i select on the screen menu after [Recovery Mode] it still shows 'Media Error'. So how can i change the firmware? i've downloaded it already and connected the Muvo2 using the supplied USB cable. The program says that the Muvo2 is not connected (it can't recognize it). i've tried the CMD on the menu 4 'Reload Firmware' still Media error. Please help.

Hi, does anybody knows if the 43b microdrive or older will work on the new 44c muvo2? or the new 44c will work on the old version of the muvo2?

Thanks,

I bought the MUVO with the 4 GB Microdrive for the specific purpose iof extracting and formatting it for use in my Sony F828. It is the model 46C Hitachi. The camera gives a CF card error and will not format it. I did format it with FAT32 on the PC but the camera still will not recognize the card. What should I try next ? Help !!!

Hello I guys I know that you can help. I have the 4GB drive which I formated , but is still doesnt work for my Nkion D70. What can I do. Help

hi any one found a crack or hack to the new 4GB hitachi microdrive please help

Anyone found any solution to make the 1GB microdrive work in cameras?

my microdrive is 47C. someone told me it can work in Dell PDA. Can any try this ?

I have tried to put a muvo2 microdrive (Hitachi 4Gb) into my Nikon D-70 but I have a CHA Error! Could someone help me Please! I also tried to upgrade the firmware of my Camera but still have problem!

Help me Please!!

Found an interesting MP3 player that uses CF and Microdrive. www.store.yahoo.com/frontierstore. It looks like this player may come with a CF version of the Hitachi 4GB Microdrive, since it also claims that it can be used with normal CF cards. On top of all this, you don't even need to dismantle the player because the Microdrive is removable and replaceable. I might go get that 4GB bundle and see.

I can get the frontiers labs MP3 players 4GB bundle at cheaper price. email me for details.

No, this card come with microdrive version Hitachi OEM 46C MD. but it can be loaded with firmware to support CF. If anyone interest on it, I am the reseller and can sell this MP3 player (model IA+) bundled with 4G Hitachi MD at price lower then $190.

jdmkalokb

There are two modes for this frontiers labs MP3 players. one is IDE and other is CF. To support any MD higher then 43C, it has to be loaded with IDE fireware.

I have a Nikon D70 and I format 4GB microdrive in all format. fat16 2GB, fat 32 4GB, with a card reader and with my camera, but I have always CHA message and my microdrivis useless

I have a Nikon D70 and a Hitachi 4GB microdrive (white OEM version 57c). No matter what I tried (formatting in all known formats, I keep on getting the CHA message....Any help?

I purchased the hitachi 4gb (47c) over ebay for my dell axim x50v... the axim does not recognize it...

hey fred,

I also have an x50v, i thought the hitachi would work in it, because it has more pc likely architecture....but it would be very bad if it doesnt work ;/

Hi, I have a problem with my Muvo 2 1.5 GB.. It loads up in recovery mode and any option I select it says "Media Error". Then, when I try to connect it to my PC, its not recognized and I cant select the option Connect to PC on the player since I just get that Media Error message...Any ideas on how to fix it if I cant even get it recognized on my comp??

I have an IPod mini with a dead 4G drive. If any folks stuck with the iPod/ATA newer MuVo drive want to recoup some of their costs, send me an offer.

It does seem to me that several of the ideas (longer pin sockets, multiple adapters) are likely to work but not in a portable device

My real goal is to bring the iPod back to life as a nonportable device with a real IDE wired to its former CF male interface ... ideas and suggestions are very welcome.

But if I can get a CF to work in it or buy up one of your no-longer-useful 4G's I could give it to my daughter ...

R.

anyone succeed in hacking the new batch of Hitachi or Seagate MD? email me at finana@gawab.com plss..

Anyone succed on the Hitachi Microdrive? If so mail me nokick@iol.pt

Thx in advance!

Did anyone of you guys tryed to make partitions in microdrive? Maybe with this way we could use a part of it...

i have the 45c too if anybody can help me thx so much

my muvo2 have the 45C what a shit iampete@yeah.net if anybody can help me thx so much

I have a D100 and found this site by accident but thought I would add my comments in the hope that it help others.

Bought a 4G compact flash card for my D100 not knowing for sure whether or not the camera would recognize it. Camera formatted the card but only could see 2G (camera formatted a 2G partition and left the rest free).

After messing around with Partition Magic and Windows XP formating here is what I did. The cluster size might be very important when you are formatting. I havent verified this for sure but since I got everything working I really dont want to spend any more time testing it.

Format your flash card to FAT 32 as the original poster tested. For the D100 it appears it was sensitive to the cluster size used in the formating. The one that seems to work is 32k cluster size.

After the card was formatted (FAT32 32k cluster size) the camera recognized the full space. When I tried to format the card in the camera the camera was still able to see the full 4G.

So to any other users with Sony cameras or the D70 you might try a cluster size of 32k and if that doesnt work you might experiment with all the other cluster sizes as one of them might work for your particular case.

I have a D100 and found this site by accident but thought I would add my comments in the hope that it help others.

Bought a 4G compact flash card for my D100 not knowing for sure whether or not the camera would recognize it. Camera formatted the card but only could see 2G (camera formatted a 2G partition and left the rest free).

After messing around with Partition Magic and Windows XP formating here is what I did. The cluster size might be very important when you are formatting. I havent verified this for sure but since I got everything working I really dont want to spend any more time testing it.

Format your flash card to FAT 32 as the original poster tested. For the D100 it appears it was sensitive to the cluster size used in the formating. The one that seems to work is 32k cluster size.

After the card was formatted (FAT32 32k cluster size) the camera recognized the full space. When I tried to format the card in the camera the camera was still able to see the full 4G.

So to any other users with Sony cameras or the D70 you might try a cluster size of 32k and if that doesnt work you might experiment with all the other cluster sizes as one of them might work for your particular case.

This further confirms my suspicion about 32k clustering

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007-6020

See footnote 9

I bought the MUVO with the 4 GB Microdrive for the specific purpose hearing mp3 music as well as copying data. Now after copying a set of software the device is conflicted with the data and is showing recovery mode and asking for firmware. What should i do? Where can i find the firmware for Hitachi MicroDrive 4.0GB: Creative Nomad Muvo2?Please Help !!!

Hey all!

i got problem with muvo, it used to work perfectly but suddenly when i start it up, it doesnt say the name of the track that is playing, but "section 1 of 1" it plays the music but i cant change the volume or go to other song and.. i cant turn it off! i have to put out the battery for 1 sec. than its back out. if i restart it, its the same.. "section 1 of 1" ..anyone a solusion? or is this somekind of lock?

help plz !!

its the creative muvo N200 512mb

you can reach me by frederikgoedertier@hotmail.com

mail or msn!!

PROBLEM SOLVED!

for all those with the same or simulair problems;

install the latest firmwire!

MY muvo2 it was working fine.. until just one day (while walking to the gym) it booted up into recovery mode and all it says is.. MEDIA ERROR on all OPTIONS.. i cant connect to PC.. it wont recognize it anymore.. it is hacked the 4gb was taken out.. and a cheaper was put in.. but it was working fine for aabout a year.. and this happens. Theres no way of connecting it to the PC to reload any firmware. Ive taken it apart.. and putit back together - is there anyway just to format the drive to OEM settings? Im fairly new at this CF memory - any sort of feedback is appreciated.

Co please feel free to email me at mattco05@rogers.com or reply to this post accordingly

Well...seems like 4GB Hitachi Microdrives can now be had for $149.95 brand new...so this is kind of a lost art, isn't it? Still, I'll be searching garage sales for the older Muvo2's...and who knows? Maybe I'll come across one for $.25!!!

Cheers.

Sam

Hi guys!! I have the 46C hitachi microdrive and it is not recognized by my axim x50v. Is there a solution to make it work???

thx

jpb34@hotmail.fr

nope, dont think it wld work

hey, for those whose muvo2 cant work, whats ur inner box part no.?? its at the bottom right of the box behind.

06PF....... Rev....

MY muvo2 it was working fine.. until just one day (while walking to the gym) it booted up into recovery mode and all it says is.. MEDIA ERROR on all OPTIONS.. i cant connect to PC.. it wont recognize it anymore.. it is hacked the 4gb was taken out.. and a cheaper was put in.. but it was working fine for aabout a year.. and this happens. Theres no way of connecting it to the PC to reload any firmware. Ive taken it apart.. and putit back together - is there anyway just to format the drive to OEM settings? Im fairly new at this CF memory - any sort of feedback is appreciated.

I got an 8gb MicroDrive out of a memorex 8 GB usb drive