Flexible IDE mod pcb

So let's just get right to the point


the idea behind it is the same as the russian IDE mod, but instead of having to modify the case to allow for an opening, it flexes around the motherboard just fine and allows the hdd to be contained within the dreamcast without removing the GD-ROM drive (though it definitely won't fit with the stock power supply)

I'd have pictures of an installation, but my soldering iron just decided to die yesterday and I received these today, so I'll get around to it some point next week when I get a new iron.

This was purely a personal project and I imagine not everybody would feel comfortable soldering this anyway. But this was a more elegant solution for myself over the russian ide mod with a big ole pcb sticking out of the side of your dreamcast.

 

Excellently
What price for this flex cable

 

Haven't thought enough about it - I'll get back to you on that one. I only have 10 on-hand since it was a personal project, so if there's a market for these things I'll get more, but if not I'll likely have spares and I'll inform you

 

There's a market, count me in too lol. I have about 8 dreamcasts with broken drives. They can benefit from this.

 

Sorry for what I'll say but it's too fragile to use flex-pcb for "hot" plug-in connectors like IDE40. It won't last a few connect and disconnect operations. It's good that you choose flex pcb but they need to remain still with good protection around. It's better to made some internal SD to IDE or mSata to IDE converter that based on ordinary PCB or Flex type. KTC FC1307A, JM20330 or something like that.

 

Just replace one of them with a USB-gdrom. Problem solved

 

It's a passion project and isn't intended to be moved in any way shape or form, the idea is to have a hdd positioned inside the DC with a cable, once the flex pcb is soldered and bent around the board, it stays completely still, and I'll be insulating the bottom where the flex would be touching the board so it shouldn't be much of a problem, but again this is why I got 10 and I'm trying them out, I just wanted to share my adventure if it does break and isn't sustainable then I'll scrap the idea. But when you've got nothing but spare time, I might even end up tinkering and go with my initial idea which is either a rigid-flex board or two separate boards with a ribbon cable connecting them, it's all just very much infancy stages right now, especially since I'm down an iron and can't even give them a good round of testing...


@irvgotti452
if the drives are dead, haven't you just considered xckdiy pcb?
either way you'd need to bios mod dreamshell in order to use either one though

Or the usb gd-rom that Plavix mentioned aha

 

haha Those IDE drives are a pain and not needed today with the usb-gdrom. I just installed mine 2 days ago and it's great. Just plug and play, took 3 mins to install. GDI files and your off. 100% compatibility

 

USB-GDROM for weaklings

 

Silly statement.

ok

IDE is for the ridiculous

 

@Plavix I have always missed the preorders :'(
@icekicker I have no idea where to find those. I saw a way to get them from alibaba from a 3rd party and the idea turned me off. As for the bios I have plenty of preprogrammed bioses ready to install .

 

Gdemu is the item that’s hard to buy. It’s never available. USB gd-rom has been easy to buy. (Put that in google and you’ll find it) You can buy one right now and is the superior product. All games have a 100% percent compatibility were on gdemu a lot of games don’t work.

 

Thank you for that. I might drop the cash for 1. Anybody know of a way other than alibaba merchrchant to buy one of those XCKDIY kit? Also if not I've got plent of guinea pigs for that ribbion cable lol.

 

Something I'm seeing more and more...
Just because the USB-GD was the solution for some, it might not be for everyone.
IDE is a perfectly good option and costs WAY less than the USB-GD. Yes, it needs some work and soldering, but lots of people are OK with that. $200+ is a bit steep.

 

If you're fine with IDE solution and all the issues that's fine by me. Knock yourself out, but if you have the money to spend and want 100% compatibility with plug and play installation then usb gd-rom is the way to go.

just my opinion.

 

Agreed. Recently it became usual in every Dreamshell post some comments like get a GDEMU, etc. If people want to talk/buy a GDEMU I expect they would create a thread specific for that, no?

 

you test all games?
usb gd-rom have crazy price

 

The creator has said it has 100% compatibility. I’ve tested over 100 titles and every game has worked perfect.

 

this is only words

example: three bleemcast image don't work, where 100%?

 

That’s not a game but a program to run a game. Anyways why all this hate? If it betters the Dreamcast Community then it’s good. Not my fault you can’t afford it.