Runcore 64GB SSD 1.8 ZIF PATA issue

[mac jones]

So I just got the Runcore SSD for my rev. A ($200)

And it doesn't work.

Right specs (the ZIF is a bit loose-there's two types of ZIFs -if you can believe this)

It should work....I think. It works in other devices so either it's a firmware thing of a ZIF thing.

Thing is, I went through this same thing with the Mtron 32GB SSD. It also was not detected (exact same scenario ). Others also were having problems with the Mtron and apparently there was a firmware update at one point (but I had sold mine already)

So i'm waiting for others experiences with this. (these are hard to come by as only one place in the US sells them (MyDigitalDiscount.com) as far as I know and they are backordered until mid Feb.

 

[johnhirsch]

Same issue. Works as a USB drive but not connected by zif. I got the apple logo to show up once while holding the connection with my fingers once so I believe the connector is just not fitting tightly enough. Unfortunately, I tried going back and forth with the old hard drive to do tests that the connection now longer works with that either. Going to get a replacement zif connector and see if anything changes. A real bummer.

 

[mac jones]

Same issue. Works as a USB drive but not connected by zif. I got the apple logo to show up once while holding the connection with my fingers once so I believe the connector is just not fitting tightly enough. Unfortunately, I tried going back and forth with the old hard drive to do tests that the connection now longer works with that either. Going to get a replacement zif connector and see if anything changes. A real bummer.

Yes, i had also started to worry about ruining the flexcable. It's very cramped in there and there's some stress on the cable with normal configuration.

I've noticed that many generic Zif flex cables have an added layer (can be seen as blue strip at the ends if you do a search on Ebay for Zif cables) that adds some thickness to the cable at the insertion ends. The Air's cable is very thin and most likely was made to spec for the Samsung's specifically; (All ZIF's are not created equal as far as cable thickness). I tried adding some thickness by cutting of a thin strip of plastic and wedging it in with the Zif cable. I was pretty sure that would work as I"ve read about this problem elsewhere on the Web but-no such luck.

I may try it again as the fact that you had some luck shows that it's at least possible (yes i'm a fool)

It's just that the dern thing is so cheap

 

[mac jones]

I just compaired the Airs ZIF cable to another ZIF cable that I know works with the Runcore with a magnifying glass and they look to be identical except for a very minor thickness difference.

So for the life of me I can't understand why it would not work.

note: I'm really beginning to hate these ZIF cables

 

[Nak]

The specs for these drives on MyDigitalDiscount.com say they are 5V devices.

The Samsung PATA SSD and HD used on the RevA are 3.3V.

Nak

 

[mac jones]

The specs for these drives on MyDigitalDiscount.com say they are 5V devices.

The Samsung PATA SSD and HD used on the RevA are 3.3V.

Nak

Yep 5V

I was sure that was a typo because as far as I know all 1.8 drives are 3.3V (or so I was led to believe)

And It works with other 3.3V devices.

But you are right. I says 5V right on it.

Why the **** would they do this? Are they completely lame?

But thanks for the post as I might have never noticed that.

(This was discussed at the JKmobile blog where they the question was asked and they said it would work at 3.3V , which I assumed they meant the 5V at the MDD site was a typo (or whatever)

I assumed wrong

(they also did a review of it (you can see the link to the review at the MyDigitalDiscount.com)

 

[mac jones]

MDD is sending out emails to those who received the fist batch saying that there may be a ZIF connection issue.

However, I would think that any problems with this most likely will be due to the 5V.

Some thing is very wrong with this whole picture.

I wonder if it's possible that this is some kind of design error, or that it's made for a specific device. It's no mystery that 1.8 drives are 3.3V not 5V

we shall see.

Anyone with and knowledge about this chime in as i'm totally in the dark

P.S I'd like to send it back to Runcore with a note saying "Could you please reengineer this to 3.3V and send it back when your done.... thank you."

 

[Over Achiever]

It's not a voltage problem, it's the ZIF connector itself.

Discussion here and here here

I received this e-mail today

Dear My Digital Discount customers,
We regret to inform you that the latest batch of RunCore Zif drives, that were shipped out last week, may possibly have a problem with the connection. We are currently investigating this issue further and we will be sure to keep you contacted with the latest updates as we get more details.
At this point, we ask that if you have had similar issues with your Zif drive to please be patient as we are looking to correct this issue as quickly as possible.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at orders@mydigitaldiscount.com.
We truly apologize for this inconvenience and we thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sincerely,
MDD

EDIT: That's what I get for walking away from the computer while writing a post. I still think it's the ZIF connector though, it fits very loose on my computer.

 

[mac jones]

It's not a voltage problem, it's the ZIF connector itself.

Discussion here and here here

I received this e-mail today


EDIT: That's what I get for walking away from the computer while writing a post. I still think it's the ZIF connector though, it fits very loose on my computer.

Thanks for the links. (note the confusion in those threads )

the connector is loose but i'm still at a loss why these are 5V? . Perhaps it's a connector issue and the 5V is a max value.

What junk.

And, one solution I noticed was for them to send out different ZIF cables?

Not a great help here i'm afraid.

Looks like an RMA if they will take it.

 

[fteoath64]

Guys. Thanks for posting your experiences with the RunCore. I hope it is the ZIF2 cables that are the problem.
As for the 5V issue, I think the drive has the tolerance of up to 5V but will function at 3.3V or less normally. TTL logic in the controller chip typically handle such a thing, so typo or not it should not be a factor in your tests.
As you mention variances in thickness in the cables, I suspect strongly that the right cables will work fine. Best of luck, cos if someone can convince me the 128GB version can work on Rev A , I would seriously consider CUTTING the rectangular hole in the bottom cover just to fit this drive!. While doing so, will take a mold to make a carbon fibre cover that will clear 3 extra mm needed!.

Let us know once you got it working. It will give Rev B machines a run for their money!

 

[mac jones]

Guys. Thanks for posting your experiences with the RunCore. I hope it is the ZIF2 cables that are the problem.
As for the 5V issue, I think the drive has the tolerance of up to 5V but will function at 3.3V or less normally. TTL logic in the controller chip typically handle such a thing, so typo or not it should not be a factor in your tests.
As you mention variances in thickness in the cables, I suspect strongly that the right cables will work fine. Best of luck, cos if someone can convince me the 128GB version can work on Rev A , I would seriously consider CUTTING the rectangular hole in the bottom cover just to fit this drive!. While doing so, will take a mold to make a carbon fibre cover that will clear 3 extra mm needed!.

Let us know once you got it working. It will give Rev B machines a run for their money!

unless they either redesign it, or make some type of adapter to work with a non-satndard ZIF cable like the one in the AIR it's not going to work.

Both of those scenarios are unlikely for the near future I would think.

 

[Over Achiever]

An update from MDD (in the HP forum)

Yes definitely wait [to RMA the drives]. Jack from Runcore is like 100% on this. He is sending images of the cables soon maybe by morning we will have them but not sure about it. They are on a weeklong break right now so this happened at the worst time for him but he is being very proactive. We probably will not get the cables until late next week due to the Chinese New Year holiday.

JKKMobile has found the drive works for some systems and not for others. He also noted that

The connector is now different than on my samples.

 

[mac jones]

An update from MDD (in the HP forum)


JKKMobile has found the drive works for some systems and not for others. He also noted that

Thanks for that

These drives that they are now shipping will not work in the AIR.

JK originally got a sample that had a different ZIF that may or may not have worked in the AIR (we will never know)

So now Runcore is sending out special ZIF cables that will supposedly work with some of the Netbooks. These look like they are the standard ZIF cables with the blue ends but with some modifications, i'm guessing. But these cables are not at all like the cable in the Air. The Air uses a unique design that Runcore is not going to send out-no way.

So these drives as they are are no good -period.

If they eventually change the connector then that might work and they may do so as they are at least owning up to the blunder, apparently.

But the problem is that if this new special cable they send out shuts up enough of the moaners then there will be no incentive to retool the connector hardware.

Lets hope this fix is a failure so they they will change the connector

 

[justit]

JK originally got a sample that had a different ZIF that may or may not have worked in the AIR (we will never know)

Could someone use the existing Rev A SSD cable with this new drive? Or is it that the drive connector on the Runcore SSD is incompatable?

 

[mac jones]

Oh this just keeps getting better.

What I gather now is that the connector on the shipped version is "twisted"
(or flipped around, converse, or whatever)

In other words...a total mess.

So they are sending special twisted cables for all of them.

(i've packed mine already)

 

[Over Achiever]

Hmm. But if the problem is on the SSD itself, we should get the option to return it for a new one. It sounds like this problem was on a batch of SSDs, not all currently shipping SSDs.

 

[Over Achiever]

Hey everyone,

The Runcore problem has been fixed. We found that the ZIF connector on the Runcore SSD is conversed, so everyone needs what is commonly known as a twisted ZIF cable, it has the leads on the top of one end and the bottom of the other end. We will be getting these cables and shipping them to you as soon as possible.

We have already confirmed 100% that with this fix, these will work flawlessly in the HP mini 1000 and the Everun Note.

If your computer is not one of these two, here are some options:

1) If the ZIF connector in your computer is completely removable, we have confidence that the twisted ZIF connector will work fine, and we are more than happy to ship you one when we get them.

2) The new batch of runcore drives will work in all computers, so we are more than happy to issue you an RMA and replace it for you when the new batch comes in.

If you choose option 1, sit tight, because we will ship your twisted ZIF connector to you shortly. If you choose option 2, please contact Chris either by phone at 1-866-217-1800 (315-343-0090) or via email at orders@mydigitaldiscount.com.

We thank all of you for your continued patience and support of our store, and we appreciate you helping us make Runcore the name to look for when someone says SSD.

Douglas Hare
Mydigitaldiscount.com

I would assume option 2 should work for the Macbook Air, and that the problem was isolated to the previous batch of SSD hard drives they shipped out late last week.

 

[mac jones]

We can thank the incredible support from Mydigitaldiscount.com (they are all over this issue)

I just hope the 'Next batch' is going to be relatively soon.

So go ahead an email them to order (great price)

 

[Over Achiever]

How well was your 64 GB fit in the Macbook Air? I currently have a Dell XT and the 8 mm fits but I can't put the bracket over it (the hard drive sits open underneath the battery.

I suppose some should wait and see if the new batch actually works before pulling the trigger? Are you going to RMA your drive?

 

[mac jones]

How well was your 64 GB fit in the Macbook Air? I currently have a Dell XT and the 8 mm fits but I can't put the bracket over it (the hard drive sits open underneath the battery.

I suppose some should wait and see if the new batch actually works before pulling the trigger? Are you going to RMA your drive?

It fits

I'm just going to have them send a replacement. If that doesn't work, I'll send that back.

These guys at MDD are fine to deal with so i'm not worried.

I'm just really impressed by the speed at which this has been addressed

Must be some sort of record

( or maybe i'm slowing down )

 

[fteoath64]

Yea!. Twisted cable, the simplest thing are usually the most frustrating. At least the light at the end of that tunnel is showing.

Well, why such a speedy response ?. remember the OCZ fiasco with NewEgg ?. It spread like wild-fire and many people got burned. If the manufacturer wants the first batch of users to be "field beta testers" just say so and threat them well. This will sell in great volume if the product is as good as it says and priced reasonably. We are holding up hope that RunCore would be one who will break this barrier and do well in the market.

 

[italiansauce88]

Thanks to MacJones for having the balls to give this a try and let everyone know the issues. Good luck on the new SSD and keep us posted!

 

[Over Achiever]

Well, I've completed my RMA and the drive is on it's way back to MDD. They're hoping to get the new drives in a week or so.

OA

 

[Over Achiever]

Update from MDD

Dear Valued Customer,



Thanks once again for your patience and understanding with all the problems we've had regarding the 1.8 inch zif drives. You have all been outstanding. However, it turns out now there has been a problem with the voltage due to a faulty resister inside the drive, and we need to recall them. A lot of you have already sent your units back and are kindly waiting for a replacement. Those replacements should be fixed, tested and ready to ship within the next two weeks.



Obviously if you have already shipped yours back, please disregard this email. Those of you who still have one to send back... please either call us to set up an RMA, or fill out the following form with ZIFRETURN as the RMA# and please include in the comments section, the exact model number of the computer you will be using the drive in. Here is a link to the form:



http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/PDFs/MDDProductReturnForm.pdf




Douglas Hare
MyDigitalDiscount.com
Phone: 315-343-0090
Toll Free: 1-866-217-1800

 

[rhyx]

How much are people paying for these drives?