Acer Aspire One - replacing/upgrading 8GB SSD

[Gerry]

I have no idea if the CF cards are in fixed or removable mode.  It was only once I started all this that I discovered that they had such a mode, never having used them previously

According to a post on another site (in full above) it is only necessary to set that bit if you are running MS Windows   

According to a post in another thread the software required to set the appropriate bit is no longer available (but as I don't use MS Windows, apparently it shouldn't matter)

TBH I was (mis) led by the apparent simplicity of the process as presented in the jkkmobile article I posted originally (which was at least mechanically and physically accurate).

The failure in that article to mention the need for a flip cable or indeed to mention the need to put the ferrite collar in place now leads me to question the veracity of this article.  My experience (I'm not that much of an idiot) causes me to question the veracity of all such articles.  Indeed, some of the related posts recording despair and failure tend to support my opinion.

Happy to be convinced otherwise

[SeZo]

It is probably late in the day for this as you must have invested considerable amount of money an time,
but have you considered to get one of those ssd's made for the AA1

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Though I haven't tried this myself, there are enough articles online to convince me it IS possible .. and it makes sense that it should be.

BUT

Unlike you, I've read that specifically the AA1's BIOS will NOT recognise the CF card unless it's set as fixed disk mode .. which is a little odd, you'd expect it to list it as removeable media but maybe not be able to boot from it .. but I keep reading that unless it's set to fixed mode and formatted it's not even recognised by the BIOS .. and if the BIOS doesn't see it it won't be initialised and available to ANY OS.

I have a feeling I have the software to change the "mode" somewhere .. but you'd still need some way of applying it .. hence the link to the IDE CF reader for a PC.

On the other hand that could end up being another wasted £6 .. so your call.

Let me know if you want me to try find the software that changes the "mode" .. I've never actually tried it but I'm sure I downloaded it a while back when I was thinking of trying a ZIF to CF setup myself.
.

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

@ Sezo

Yes, he's mentioned one of those in a PM

I can vouch for the Super Talent SSD .. I've got the 16GB version and it works a treat.

I wouldn't say it's hugely quicker than the original but those annoying I/O pauses(where the read/write light is constantly on) are gone

Another option is to fit a Samsung HS06THB 60GB 1.8" PATA (IDE) hard drive .. I know this works too as I have one in my other AA1

instructions here if you're interested:
http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/modding-the-acer-aspire-one-hard-drive/

If you DO decide to go with an HDD .. go for the Samsung, other people have managed to get the cheaper Toshiba drives to work, but they can be iffy as they use a LIF connector where the cable is thinner
(read the comments on the above link)

Speed wise, there's nothing in it between the Super Talent SSD and the Samsung HS06THB .. obviously the Samsung has more room, but the SSD is more robust and an easier fit as its a direct replacement for the standard SSD.

[Gerry]

Was pointed to a nice CF holder on ebay that *was advertised* (see below) as not requiring a flip LIF cable (enabling reuse of the original cable). 

£4.99 (seemingly wasted)

Does it make the blindest bit of difference?  No

I think I'll stick my original 8 GB SSD back in and leave this record here to save anyone else the trouble and expense.   

Update: I haven't buzzed it out but I decided to compare this card with the card I bought first (the one that required a flip cable) TBH I'm not convinced this one is as described as the track layout of the two PCBs looks identical.