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Home / I-Opener Areas / I-Opener Technical Info Reference (MODERATED) Disabling the SanDisk Disabling the SanDisk

Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) Proud Owner I originally posted this in response to a thread created by JAG13, Removing 16MB SanDisk, 03-18-2000 08:33:43 A.M., which is now archived in (Old BBS posts, READ ONLY area). Apparently there still seems to be an issue of how to electrically disable the SanDisk. I an now posting it here for those who haven't the ability, or the desire, to work and read. ===================================================================== Extracted from the following document on SanDisk's website. ChipSetDS.pdf SanDisk Flash ChipSet Introducing the world’s smallest ATA/IDE data storage system. The SanDisk Flash ChipSet (FCS) is the world’s smallest resident solid-state ATA/IDE data, image and audio storage system. The FCS consists of a 100 pin TQFP controller chip and flash memory in a 56 pin TSOP package. Memory Mapped Mode Support The memory mapped mode is the default power-on mode for the SanDisk Flash Chipset if the "OE" pin is not grounded. This mode provides for a simple, straightforward interface to the user’s hardware. It is particularly applicable in embedded 8 bit microprocessor applications, since 8 bit data transfers can be accomplished without issuing a command to the Flash ChipSet. IDE mode True support. The SanDisk Flash ChipSet may be configured in the True IDE Mode by grounding the "OE" pin. This provides the same interface as that used by IDE hard disk drives. The IDE interface is very simple, requiring a minimum of hardware and software development. Because this is an industry standard interface, in many cases the hardware and software are built into the host system. This mode also supports 8 bit data transfers after a “Set Features” command is issued. ======================================== SanDisk Controller Chip SanDisk 20-99-0002401 9935E3007 PIN 37 CE1 Chip Enable 1 PIN 39 CE2 Chip Enable 2 PIN 40 OE OE ==== Flash Memory (16mb) SanDisk S944951 SDTB-128 If you have no idea what this means, you would be best to stand clear of any such modification. Otherwise... Enjoy. Signed, Proud Owner EOM ========================================================== PS Please feel free to elaborate. I've pointed you in the proper direction from the word GO. --- I did get a good chuckle from all you clowns who physically ripped out the SanDisk by brute force using a Dremel Tool and/or Exacto knives. Signed, Proud Owner EOM 05-20-2000 10:31:53

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) homerjsimpson I didn't put the Dremel to it, but I can verify that simply desoldering the SanDisk controller chip works fine. (Can't imagine much use for 16 megs of flash RAM anyway.) Just used solder-wick to remove as much solder as possible, then gently pried up the pins one by one while holding the soldering gun to 'em. Only touchy part is not pulling too hard and pulling up the traces. 05-23-2000 02:26:04

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) therealdj This is a re-post of my original posting in "I-Opener Technical Stuff" under "Win98 install problems solved!! - SanDisk disabled" Since I have not seen that anyone has actually tried Proud Owner's suggestion, and posted the results, I thought I would post mine. Re-post: I have had been trying to install win98 both with and with out 98lite, and have always ran into corrupt cab file decoding errors during setup file copying. I found a Microsoft knowledge base article (Q140901) which dealt with this, and tried some of their suggestions to no avail. I had tried pulling the reset pin on the SanDisk controller low but this did not help. (see previous post regarding this - SanDisk Disabled!!.) Using the information from SanDisk posted by Mikeeee (thanks!!!), (see previous thread - Instructions on disabling the Sandisk FROM the horses mouth), I decided to try pulling the CE pins high. I reconnected the reset pin, and lifted the 2 CE pins (37 & 39). They seemed to read a solid 5V so I assumed that they have internal pullups, and just left them floating. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! Win98 installed without any complaints, and disk accesses even seemed to go faster. This may be an easier method to disable the controller rather than removing the whole chip. It also allows it to be re-enabled later. It no longer shows up in the BIOS auto detect either (with the reset low, it would still show up sometimes,) and prevents it from "phoning home" accidentally. BTW, I will connect the pins to 5V at some point to avoid noise problems, I just didn't take the time yet. In fact, pin 38 is 5V so it will be very easy to short the 3 pins together. 05-23-2000 11:26:17

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) justme Hi, Ok, sounds good, I'm having one heck of a time with W2k ( Windows 2000 ) running on my I-Opener (I keep getting a boot disk error after a bit during startup). Perhaps the SANDISK presents a problem. Could you do me a favor, and assume I'm impaired at locating the pins in question... first what's a CE pin, second where the heck is CE pin 37 and 39 (I do want to pull em out). Text and any pointer to a graphic would be very much appreciated Thanks 06-05-2000 01:39:11

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) justme Hi, Ok, follow up, I removed the large heatsink and found the SanDisk controller (20-99-0002401) chip parallel to my IDE cable (which on thinking about it made much sense). I re-read therealdj's post, and believe the CE pins are located parallel to the IDE connector on the SanDisk controller (sort of near the middle of the row of pins, I'd have to count carefully, but believe I can locate CE pin 37 & 39). Ok, now having located them (someone do confirm or redirect me) it appears therealdj understands something he refers to as "lifting CE pins" ... well OK, I'm game, lets say I count correctly and locate Pin CE 37, can someone explain how it is "lifted". Specifically, looking at the device (the SanDisk controller) it is not intuitively obvious to me how it's connected to the motherboard, and how the pins connect between the chip and the motherboard (for example is the controller just sitting on the board held on by pressure from the pins? Are the pins themselves soldered or some form of pressure connection). therealdj's post appears to indicate "lifting" may be reversable (which appears nicer than say cutting, removing, or desoldering). Thus some step by step guidance (and some background as to how this device is connected) would be greatly appreciated. Also as a final request, if CE Pin 37 & 39 are removed, will this permit the addition of a 2nd IDE device (such as a CD ROM?). Thanks 06-05-2000 02:46:35

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) Starman97 If you've never done Surface Mount Technology rework before, I'd strongly advise against learning on your IO. Get a scrap board from an old hard drive , or a dead video card or motherboard. Look for a chip with the same size leads as the SanDisk and practice on it. Lift several chip leads, one at a time to get a feel for how long to hold the soldering iron on the lead before the solder melts. How much force to put on the lead to bend it up, but not break it. How to melt solder on one lead without bridging solder to neighboring leads. I use a needle inserted between a solderedlead and the lead I'm heating. Put a little force on the lead before heating it, when you feel the needle 'give' the lead is loose and you can put more force on it to bend the lead up. Get some copper solder wick and liquid flux, use both to clean up the solder. Put the flux on the leads before heating them, use a lot, it cleans up with 90% iso-propyl alcohol. 06-05-2000 23:05:07

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) justme Thanks for the information, I'm wondering before I start... have you tried this and does it work? Regards 06-06-2000 06:00:31

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) Starman97 I've not done this mod on my IO's, but I have done this on other boards to disable chips. My reading of this, it's workable, but the SanDisk is a useful device, I plan of putting the Linux /boot and anything else that'll fit in my IO's Sandisk. Somewhere there must be someone who has pictures of this mod, I'd check it out before doing any work on a good IO. 06-06-2000 20:44:31

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) justme Hi, Yes... I'd rather see someones picture of the sucessful mod before experimenting... thanks for the help... sadly I am having boot disk trouble with Windows 2000 and suspect the SanDisk (though it's really a shot in the dark) thus I'd hate to remove it other than as a temporary test to see if it's the problem. Well, back to trying to boot W2k 06-07-2000 08:08:27

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) justme For completeness, I'd like to finish a result here. I disabled (per the above) the SanDisk by unsoldering the two pins in question, used a Radio Shack very fine 15 watt soldering iron, and a Radio Shack magnifying glass/holder, plus a set of dental like tools (the very fine straight one wound up working best). Had to use the magnifying lens to see and count correctly the pins, which were marked by chipping with one of the sharp hooked dental like appliances every 5 pins then the pins in question. Counted, recounted, recounted... etc.. SanDisk was disabled. However Windows 2000 ( W2K / W2k ) still doesn't boot, I still get a stop 7B (unaccessable boot device). Thus whatever the SanDisk was doing, it wasn't the cause of my boot problem. I'm glad I listened to the advice above and didn't burn bridges so to speak (that is I can reconnect the SanDisk). For anyone considering doing this, I highly recommend a magnifying lens However it is not in and of itself a means to get W2k (my real goal) booted 06-20-2000 21:55:09

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) Free Advice I successfully disabled the SanDisk with a single-edge razor blade. The leads on the SanDisk have silkscreen numbering at each corner. Look for the the side with "26" on one end and "50" on the other (this side is closest to and parallel to the edge of the mobo. There are tiny white tick marks along this side signifying each 5th pin (30,35,40,45). This makes it easy to find pin 37 and 39. Both pins have vias right next to them (pin 39 has a VERY short trace to its via). Each lead has a "land" (where it is soldered to the mobo) and a trace leaving it. All I had to do is place the "point" of the razor blade at the edge of the land and press GENTLY and wiggle SLIGHTLY to sever the connections. BE CAREFUL! This is a multi-layered board and the traces are extremely fine. The results should be barely visible. On the first try my IO saw both my hard drive and CD-ROM. 07-18-2000 20:11:16

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) pcspecialist Profile With the SanDisk disabled is it necessary to replace the BIOS? 07-28-2000 22:20:27

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) pcspecialist Profile I am reposting my message to insure everyone know exactly what I am asking about. I have the latest version I-Opener before they went to the cheap sound chip and the second to latest BIOS and can's seem to hot flash it to the early version BIOS, get message "unknown flash type!" I have read everything I can find on the I-Opener BIOS and still cant figure out what exactly is different between the BIOS'. So, if the SanDisk is disabled is it necessary to get the early version BIOS? I suspect the answer is yet. 07-28-2000 22:27:50

RE:Disabling the SanDisk (modified 0 times) Finatronics Profile I accidentally posted this to another thread that's about disabling the SanDisk. I meant to post it here. Surface mount unsoldering.... I figured out about the only way I can do it, with my shaky hands and fat-tipped soldering iron. (actually, it's pretty fine tipped, except compared to the size of the pins) Get some Wire-Wrapping wire. I'm using 30AWG, which is almost too large, but works. strip about 1/2in from one end. Fold the end in half to make a U shaped hook. The length of the hook can only be as long as the height from the board to where the pin enters the chip. What you want to do is insert the hooked end next to the pin to be removed (the wire should be perpendicular to the board, as should the hook). Once it's in, turn the wire around, so the hook wraps around the back of the pin to be removed. Now rotate the wire downward, so the hook surrounds the pin on either side. Once this is accomplished, the wire hook will be wrapped around the back of the pin to remove. apply the soldering iron to the wire-wrapping wire, touching both sides of the hook and pull slightly on the wire. Once it heats up enough, the hook will pull the pin right out! Also, I've been thinking a little about how to make this a tad more professional. I want to make it so I can just use a simple switch to switch both pins. I think the cleanest way to do this is with a two-input OR gate for each CE input. Connect one input of each gate to the original trace, the other inputs are tied together to a switch. The other side of the switch is tied high. The outputs of the OR gates are tied to the correct SanDisk CE pin. Now, when the switch is on, both OR gates will be high, disabling the two CE pins. Otherwise, the data that's at the other input of each of the OR gates is sent to the SanDisk. This could be done much easier with a two-pole switch. However, this is more sophisticated, and ensures that both are tied correctly at the same time. (I've had some two-pole switches that don't make contact on both pins at the same time). Besides, it could easily be controlled via circuitry/software if there's any reason to (probably not). Hope this helps! Eric 12-13-2001 04:24:28

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