Bushcat's Hitachi 4GB Microdrive Removal From a Muvo2

This is how I removed a Hitachi 4GB Microdrive from a Creative Labs Muvo2 in early 2004. I don't recommend you do the same. If you do, and mush the player and/or drive, it's your fault. Also, units later than mine may have been changed to make drive removal less attractive or impossible.

This is the Creative Labs Muvo2 4GB version before the operation. Note that it's not possible to use the older 1.5GB units because they have a completely different drive that is not CF format.

1. Check the version of the firmware in your unit. My version was 10.11.01. If it is older than 10.11.01, it doesn't include the feature necessary to restore the Muvo's disk-based firmware, which you will need to do if you intend to put a smaller hard disk or compact flash card in the player. The firmware can be downloaded from Nomad World.

2. Open the battery compartment and remove the battery. The back of the case is held on with 4 cross-head screws, all the same length so you won't have to worry about mixing them up. There is one screw at each corner, with the two bottom screws under the battery cover. One screw is covered with an anti-tamper seal: once this is broken, your warranty is gone. Luckily, the Muvo warranty is ludicrously short so you won't have to wait long if such things bother you. Remove the four screws. The rear cover will lift off.

3. The circuit board has a ribbon connector on the edge furthest from the display. It's possible to lift the circuit board carefully by lifting with a fingernail under the display edge. There will be a little resistance because there is a second, hidden connector approximately under the battery terminals.

4. The hard drive is under the metal plate that is now visible. There are 3 black screws and 1 silver screw. The silver screw is shorter that the others, so it must go back in the same hole later. One of the black screws is under the small black sheet stuck to one corner. It is possible to reach the screw by lifting the sheet. Do not remove the sheet unless you have to. It is very important: it prevents the small button cell on the main PCB from shorting against the metal plate. Remove all the screws

5. The plate can now be lifted aside. The pause/play button may lift out with the plate or remain in the case. If it comes loose, note that the T-shaped bar that is part of the button molding has a little locating pin that fits in a small hole towards the center of the case., The two buttons may lift out with the plate or stay in the case.Lift the plate out but DON'T let it rest on the battery on the main PCB!

6. Carefully lever the microdrive free of the pins. Do not apply any pressure to the top or bottom surfaces of the drive, as this will destroy it. Again, the easiest way is to use fingernails to gradually lever it free.

7. Take the 4gb MD and format it in your camera or PC. You should now have a 4gb MD.

Back to my home page.

This is the Creative Labs Muvo2 4GB version before the operation. Note that it's not possible to use the older 1.5GB units because they have a completely different drive that is not CF format.
1. Check the version of the firmware in your unit. My version was 10.11.01. If it is older than 10.11.01, it doesn't include the feature necessary to restore the Muvo's disk-based firmware, which you will need to do if you intend to put a smaller hard disk or compact flash card in the player. The firmware can be downloaded from Nomad World.
2. Open the battery compartment and remove the battery. The back of the case is held on with 4 cross-head screws, all the same length so you won't have to worry about mixing them up. There is one screw at each corner, with the two bottom screws under the battery cover. One screw is covered with an anti-tamper seal: once this is broken, your warranty is gone. Luckily, the Muvo warranty is ludicrously short so you won't have to wait long if such things bother you. Remove the four screws. The rear cover will lift off.
3. The circuit board has a ribbon connector on the edge furthest from the display. It's possible to lift the circuit board carefully by lifting with a fingernail under the display edge. There will be a little resistance because there is a second, hidden connector approximately under the battery terminals.
4. The hard drive is under the metal plate that is now visible. There are 3 black screws and 1 silver screw. The silver screw is shorter that the others, so it must go back in the same hole later. One of the black screws is under the small black sheet stuck to one corner. It is possible to reach the screw by lifting the sheet. Do not remove the sheet unless you have to. It is very important: it prevents the small button cell on the main PCB from shorting against the metal plate. Remove all the screws
5. The plate can now be lifted aside. The pause/play button may lift out with the plate or remain in the case. If it comes loose, note that the T-shaped bar that is part of the button molding has a little locating pin that fits in a small hole towards the center of the case., The two buttons may lift out with the plate or stay in the case.Lift the plate out but DON'T let it rest on the battery on the main PCB!
6. Carefully lever the microdrive free of the pins. Do not apply any pressure to the top or bottom surfaces of the drive, as this will destroy it. Again, the easiest way is to use fingernails to gradually lever it free.
7. Take the 4gb MD and format it in your camera or PC. You should now have a 4gb MD.