ThinkPad 770z - HDD Connector and Caddy

[Lomax]

How did you learn how to create these boards in KiCad?

The KiCAD forums are a great resource, and there are lots of good tutorials online (I prefer the ones where you read rather than watch). This isn't my first board, but definitely the most complex in terms of the routing. I tried using auto-routing but didn't like the result; while it used maybe a handful fewer vias it looked quite messy and unprofessional, so I chose to spend an evening routing it by hand - which was more fun than it sounds

Am I right in thinking the only part missing then would be the CF card attachment? I would be capable of soldering this on myself but what part did you base your design on (got a link)?

That's right, and the part I used is a 3M N7E50-7516PK-20. It's available from e.g. Farnell in the UK @ £10.56+VAT. The main reason for using this socket was that I managed to find a KiCAD footprint library for it Many other CF sockets are available and the layout could be updated to use something else. The only thing to be aware of is that there are two standards for CF to board connections, one with reversed pins to what I've used, which would necessitate re-routing the board. As long as pin #1 is in the same position wrt to the base I think it should be a relatively easy job - even more so if the pitch is the same (0.635mm).

One last thing, I notice you have a 770X in your signature and you're in the UK. I'm currently trying to revive 2 x 770X machines which are SVP locked. If you ever consider selling your 770X can you let me know?

I have been forced to slim down my ThinkPad collection considerably, but I'm afraid the 770X (and the 240) would be among the very last I'd get rid of. It's just such an insanely awesome beast, with mind-blowing specs. 1280x1024 screen, hardware MPEG-2 decoding, digital audio in/out, USB(!)... In fact I have a BNIB SelectaDock III I want to mate it with, if only I could get hold of a SelectaBase 770 - it would make for an awesome retro gaming rig, and just a generally very impressive looking showpiece. I also have a PIII 650 CPU that I pulled from my 600X before committing it to the earth (it was, sadly, utterly worn out), which I'm planning to upgrade the 770X with.

I need a 'clean' one which I can read the ATMEL chips from to replace the chips on mine. The 770X seems to hit an 'unbootable' bug once the CMOS battery drains dead and if you don't know the SVP.

I would love to help with this, and I do have a Dataman S4 which I think could read that chip. Only problem is I'm not in the UK at the moment (where the S4 is), and the 770X is in yet another place, so I haven't got access to either of them! If I can manage to unite them with myself later this year I'll definitely give it a go!

[BillMorrow]

did not read all these posts, just want to say i have a bunch of 770 HDD caddys and other 770 stuff..
who wants it all..?

[KLIPPER_777]

I Do Bill!!!

[KLIPPER_777]

did not read all these posts, just want to say i have a bunch of 770 HDD caddys and other 770 stuff..
who wants it all..?

Interested:)