Using a CF to IDE Adapter to create a SSD(Solid State Disk) Part 1

The availability of these CF-IDE adapter has allow us to easily use solid state memory to replace the typical hard disk in a PC or laptop. We are doing this in order to reduce power consumption on laptop, reduce heat generated as compare with a typical hard disk and not to mention the decrease in noise and weight. In terms of performance when compared with a typical hard disk, the CF card will be in a disadvantage position unless a high speed CF card is used. Storage size of a CF card is also much lower in comparison. Price wise, CF-IDE solution is the lowest when compare against the closest solution of a SSD(Soild State Drive).

In this article, we will look at how we can use a CF to IDE adapter to replace a typical hard disk, but the main focus here will be on a laptop.

Here is a list of what we will be using.

1- CF to IDE adapter(44pin-IDE)

2- Kingston x133 8Gb CF card.

3- A laptop that can boot from USB drive (not really important).

4- XP OS CD and laptop drivers.

5- Screw drivers & piler as deemed suitable for your laptop or PC.

This is the CF-IDE adaptor that we will be using. It’s a 44pin-IDE version.

You can order one from this link.

There are many CF-IDE adaptor out there in the market. I have selected a 44pin-IDE version because it is what a typical laptop hard disk is using. 2.5” laptop hard disk uses 44pin-IDE. For PC users, you can choose the 40pin-IDE adaptor. But the 40pin-IDE adaptor requires addition power connection to supply power to the CF card. This power connector is typically a floppy connector. On the 44pin-IDE, power is drawn from the additional 4pin that are not present on the 40pin-IDE version.

If you are using the 40pin-IDE version for you PC and if you have run out of floppy power connectors, you can go out and purchase one of these converters.

Here are the steps :

Step 1 – Replacing and installation of the CF-IDE adapter.

a) First of all, we will need to remove the hard disk from the laptop. The way to remove the hard disk is specific to your laptop. You will need to figure this one out yourself or refer to the user guide of your laptop on how to remove the hard disk.

b) In this example I am using a HP Compaq NC4010 laptop. The hard disk located at the bottom of the laptop and it is mounted on a carrier bracket. Removing and pulling out the hard disk, I noticed that the CF-IDE adapter had one extra pin after comparing both of them. The dual rows of pins at the bottom(in the picture) belongs to the hard disk and the pins stacked on top is the CF-IDE adapter.

As you can see, one of the pin is missing from the hard disk. Thus, the CF-IDE adapter would have to be the same. The pin would need to be removed in order to slot the CF-IDE adapter into the laptop’s hard disk carrier bracket connector.

c) First of all, we need to break off the extra pin on the CF-IDE adapter. Using the hard disk as a guide, locate the pin that needs removing from the adapter. We have to be careful not to break the wrong pin as that would render the adapter useless. Once you located the pin, bend the pin at a 45 degree like the picture below. Don’t break the pin yet. I did this just in case I picked the wrong pin.

Next insert the adapter into the notebook hard disk bracket carrier. Do not fully insert the adapter into the connector on the bracket carrier just yet. We just want to make sure it fits into the connector in the correct position. Btw, the connector is the one with the number “24363” printed on it. Make sure you double check that you have inserted the adaptor correctly. One of the methods that I use to check is to place the hard disk into the carrier and place the CF-IDE adaptor on top of it in perfect match to determine the correct side of the adaptor to use.

Once everything is confirmed, break off the extra pin. It will make it much easier if you use a Long nose piler to do the job. Be careful not to damage the neighboring pins. Rock the pin back and forth. This will weaken the joint and the pin will break after a few swings eventually.

Leave the jumper setting “Close” to indicate a “Master” setting

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d) Once you are done with the “extra” pin, we can proceed to insert the CF card in the adapter. Do install the CF card into the adapter first before slotting the CF-IDE adapter into the notebook hard disk carrier bracket. This is because there will not be enough space to insert the CF card once the CF-IDE adapter is locked into position inside the notebook hard disk carrier bracket. I learned this the hard way.

If you end up with the same problem like me, fret not, you can just unscrew one of the nut and slowly ease off the side of the bracket to give the CF room to slot into the CF slot. You might not want to remove the CF-IDE adapter from the carrier connector after it is inserted as the whole thing is quite fragile.

When you are done with that, it is time to re-insert the notebook hard disk carrier bracket together with the CF-IDE adapter and CF card back into the notebook.

Step 2 – Installing OS into the CF card.

The installation is quite straight forward and I will not be covering the step in installing XP. If your laptop has a CD/DVD drive, just pop in the XP CD and run it just like how you would do it normally with a regular hard disk. The installation steps should be no different from the usual way you install XP. For those who would like to install Vista, I have not done it before and I’m not sure how much space is required, so just go ahead and try it.

That’s it for Part 1.

Have Fun.