Cowon X5 adapter nuisance solution?
 

warranty void, now I want to
get rid of the adapter I always
intend to forget making the device
useless after a couple of days.

I'll build a mini-USB socket in the
bottom area because it runs with CF-MOD
leaving the needed space there.
I want use my Samsung power supply the same
which charges my Archos IT either.

the device as such becomes alive, see image (battery
slot) where the HD error is because the CF is
taken out.

however the battery (NDS-lite) is not charging at all
see bottom right. bridged it to D13 (Pin 21,22) -
but then it will not switch on by itself. when power slided
it runs on battery only.

anybody here who is a little bit more clever than
I try to be?

regards
Damian


ps
why do some companies making off standard
power sockets which can only be charged
with their special adapter forcing those
who travel a lot carrying a bunch of adapters
and power supplies (all 5V!) with them :mad:
I think this is arrogance and was the reason
for the fall of excellent designs like the M:Robe
and Palm handheld devices. the latter changed
it every time a new device came out.

I'm no electrical engineer, but might it be a problem that the X5 doesn't get enough amperage over USB? Regular USB ports give something between 100 to 500 mA, and the X5's wall wart gives 1800mA, or so (I use it with a 3000mA charger, personally).

Yeah, the X5 port is a real nuisance. I have the X5 dock/cradle on my desk, and two more dongles for on the go and for use in other rooms. That makes it somewhat more bearable. Cowon sure made a mistake there, to keep the form factor somewhat less bulky than the Iriver H300 that was out at the same time. Well, that was the first and last time they did that, at least...

cheers for the quick response but I am
charging it over a temporary external socket
with Cowon's own supply. so it should
have the full ampere needed.

I try to figure out whether the hard disk
is needed to trigger the charge cycle.
will post result when finished.

its funny this side is forum called anythingbutipod
although Cowon is taking hostages like the apple does.
Cowon's adapter is a lock-in product made on purpose
for two reasons-
even when using the original had disk there
is sufficient space on the right side to make
an extra socket for a direct connection to plug
in the already very skinny power jack.
the USB-host (barely used) on the main board
whereas USB-In (heavy used for transfer and charge option)
external.

that's the reason that I bought an Archos IT 32 recently,
(USB host cable as an option) although I have no need
for its WiFi stuff.

btw -
using an Iriver H340 as a stationary music player.
its only bulky due to a very bad design i.e. a fat sandwich
of motherboard-hard disk-battery with fat blue rubber
leaves where thin foil could have done it either.

Refurbished into 2012!
 

done and dusted!

warnings:eek:
---------------------------------------------------
if you feel too clumsy - please don't try.
if you cannot afford trashing X5 - please don't try.

whatever you do, its at your own risk so don't blame
me if your X5 goes into the big sleep!

in all other cases you'll refurbish an awesome player
which can compete with everything on the market now
and is still unbeatable in price because the CF stays
in value anyway.

costs:
IDE 1.8" CF adapter (50pin) approx £4
CF 64GB approx £110

its just one lead you need for stand-alone
charging, ground is already attached.
however, I cannot tell you if host mode is still
working, I don't have one. although I suppose so,
I don't care anyway for the sake of adapter freedom :D

how to install Rockbox on that 64GB CF:
http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php/topic,33408.0.html

regards
Damian

could i try this usb mod with an unmodified x5l?

yes Redd,
its got nothing to do with the hard disk anyway.
you may consider a longer lead to run over top of the
hard disk whereas mine 'dives' under the CF.

regards
Damian

gomadic sell a lead that charges, via usb, without needing the dongle. using the on/off button on the x5 alternates between files transfer and battery charging

that's takes you back behind square 1 mate -
because you pay even extra to get you in the same
trouble if lacking the dongle :p

regards
Damian

You wouldn't be able to post more n00b-friendly instructions and pictures for this mod, would you?

Also, can you access/transfer to and from the X5's HDD using the host port (with rockbox)?

How did you figure out that power pin is D13 ?
Wondering could it be done to get usb transfer from the host socket with similar cables ?
What pin would we attach them to ?

Found the usb host pins at the bottom of this page.
http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/IAudioX5PortPins

Dunno where to connect the pins to tho.

sorry folks, but I am not a technical hotline.

it was explained in details above and it works - just take or leave it.

to prove its still working see attach with StephenC's latest post in the rear.

C' tout, le reste est silence.

Damian