Thread: Slot DVD.....Please READ and respond

Originally posted by inline4
you cant hack an old notebook because it will stick out just the same.

i was thinking that there might be some sort of 50 pin ide cable that you can yank out of a laptop and use that to connect the drive to the adapter...

do laptops have the drive and mobo mounted in a "card-to-card" arrangement without a cable... ive never disected a laptop so im unsure...

Originally posted by JamesDoubbler
Not really sure though since I really need a double-sided board and only know how to etch single-sided.

ive been told that the easiest way to make a double sided board is to....these instructions are written as if you are using a "press n' peel" type image transfer paper or similar product...
layout the first side as normal, but add a couple locator marks in the unused corners of the board... something that looks like a target with an X through it is the usual symbol... then etch the board (i assume you are using a copper-clad board, not photoresist), make sure you cover the other side with tape so that it doesnt get etched.... then using the same spacing for the locator targets... layout the reverse side of the board (remember to revese your locators) and when you transfer the image to the board, make sure the locators are lined up perfectly... when you etch the second side... cover the first side with a layer or two of masking tape and make sure it is very secure against the copper... after etching... drill out the holes and you should have the double sided board all set...if you want to drill holes for the locators before you transfer the reverse side, you can do that too, it will make loacting easier.

if you are going to do a "dry-transfer" layout of the board... follow the same procedure.... but you really dont need the laocator holes/targets...

just make sure to cover the side that you ARENT etching with some tape so that it doesnt get eaten away when you are etching the other side.

alternately.... you could make 2 seperate one sided boards with a set of jumper wires that connect the 2 boards..

or better yet... just make a single sided board, with loose jumer wires soldered onto it, and then connect those loose wires to an ide header that you can just plug the main ide cable into...

~mike

i get what you are saying... you want the soldering pads on the top side of the board to be electrically continuous with the solder pads on the bottom of the board...

yes that can be done, but the equipment you need to do it isnt something that most hobbyist have access to. you layout all the stuff as usual, etch the board, drill out the holes and then you have what is essentially an industrial pop rivet machine that puts these little copper shafts in the holes that you drilled, thus connecting the two sides of the board....

i have a link at home that is a great how to for making professional grade circuit boards... i can try to locate it for you....

if i were you i would make a board that has the solder pads on it for the 50 pin connector, have traces coming out from the surface mount connector to solder pads, drill through the board at each solder pad, then attach ide wire to the appropriate pads and slap an ide connector on the end... and you got yourself a nice cheap connector....

~Mike

edit: here is the site that i found regarding
homemade pcb's. it is specifically geared toward photoetched since they are better for detailed pcb's, generally out of the realm of the DIYer, but toward the bottom it gives some info on the stuff you need to do through plating on pcb's

ok, this is really going to sound like a flame, but wth does that have to do with this entire thread about making a JAE to IDE adapter for a slimline slot load dvd drive?

and back on subject, im not sure how much use this will be to anyone, but a while back i parted out a dying emachine eOne (the imac look alike), which used a slimline tray load cd, that had a JAE to some odd IDC connector (50 pin, and something like .050 on center, smaller than a laptop ide drive) that had the adapter nearly dirrectly behind and to the left the JAE conector, so it would work on the slim line dvd. I have no clue if you can purchase these seperately from emachines, or a online parts dealer, but finding an IDC connector, or even sodering dirrectly to the pins has to be easier than trying to soder the JAE connector.

edit: and if i think of it in time tomarrow, ill try to track down the digicam and snap a pic of it so you all can see what the hell im rambling about. and there are no parts numbers on the adapter itself.

Originally posted by MP3DUB
.....CUT..., but finding an IDC connector, or even sodering dirrectly to the pins has to be easier than trying to soder the JAE connector.

lol...do you realize how small those pins are...I have the damn JAE connector..male+female and just looking at it gives me headaches. Mind u i am a good at soldering

AND yes...please get that cam and take pic