Anyone know what the socket on the HDR-TRI PCB is for?

silcreval · Post by **silcreval** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:48 pm

I'm just fitting a HDR-TRI to my Trinity and noticed that it has a IDE style socket on the PCB. Its a 20 pin socket. Any idea what this is for? I'd like to add an internal HD on my Trinity as I get fed up with the external SCSI drives, so was planning on soldering up a socket to the PCB manually. Just wondered if this socket is in any way SCSI related first?

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 10:05 am

I can hardly remember this header, but I think it is parallel with the SCSI connector, so no IDE can be connected here (as oppoed to the marking), I believe. On the other hand I have to admit I haven't ever tried this, so no real life reference to report (either pro or contra).

However, I'm almost sure it was forseen as a connector for an internal HD, so if you can get a 2,5" SCSI HDD it would definitively be worth a try. Alas, you'd better get your multimeter ready to make sure you establish the pinout correctly...

variant966 · Post by **variant966** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 4:45 am

Hi there! Advise please - which hard drive is working 100% with the trinity? Sorry for the offtopic.
Thank you!

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:15 pm

50 pin connector SCSI1 or SCSI2 no larger than 4.3 GB will work. Some SCSI3 (68 pin conncetor) and over are able to downgrade communications protocol to SCSI1 with the appropriate converter plug (termination and format conversion), but it is a gamble, you'll have to experiment with these. I seem to remember that larger disks sometimes work as well, but only 4.3 GB will be recognised. Not all large drives are compatible, though.

You'll need an external power supply and adequate SCSI cable (DB25 to 50pin IDC), I'd recommend connecting it externally, unless you're ready to perform some modifications on the guts of the Trinity. Even then I'm not sure the Trinity's PSU can hande the extra power draw.

variant966 · Post by **variant966** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 4:26 pm

synthjoe wrote:50 pin connector SCSI1 or SCSI2 no larger than 4.3 GB will work.

Thank you, synthjoe! That's just where all this is to buy?

Maybe suggest?

silcreval · Post by **silcreval** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:57 pm

I purchased some IDC connectors and cables - so will let you know how I get on. I've got a 2.5" SCSI drive so hoping that might be OK.

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 12:06 am

variant966 wrote:Thank you, synthjoe! That's just where all this is to buy?

I feared this question...

Ebay or similar, maybe some computer recycling site, used (second hand) computer shop - these are the alternatives that spring to my mind. Not an easy thing to find one such drive these days.

silcreval wrote:I purchased some IDC connectors and cables - so will let you know how I get on. I've got a 2.5" SCSI drive so hoping that might be OK.

I'm looking forward keenly to the news you'll feed back on this!

variant966 · Post by **variant966** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:43 am

silcreval wrote:I purchased some IDC connectors and cables - so will let you know how I get on. I've got a 2.5" SCSI drive so hoping that might be OK.

I, too, let me know please!