Is anybody still using a Slice with internal hard drive / HDD ?

  • Hello all fellow Slice owners (are there still any?!?!?)

    I'm reviving a Slice, and getting a CM3 module working in it (a project i started years ago, but ran in to problems - not sure why). All up and running with latest LE version.

    I'd love to install a 2.5" 4TB drive that i have (to get more internal storage for when i use the slice off-line). i'm not sure where it came from, it's a Seagate BarraCuda 4TB (PN: 2AN17V-566, FW: 0001).

    LE / Kodi does not see the drive when plugged in to the on-board connector, but does see it if connected (and powered) via a USB > SATA adaptor. Can anybody shed any light on this?

    Any other thoughts for adding more storage? do i just have to concede to using an external USB drive?

    Thanks in advance

    Mathew

    • Official Post

    Which LE version are you using with it?

    I think we retired the official slice builds which makes people use the RPi2 build which may not include the drivers needed to support the onboard sata port.

  • I'm still using the slice (CM3) with the original onboard 1TB drive, I switched over to the RPi2 build a couple of months ago as a test and it still works for me.

    if I remember rightly the drive height is thin, 7mm maybe? does your drive fit in the case? thats the only reason thats stopped me putting in a newer disk. I think I'm using exFAT for the disk format.

    Edited once, last by F1Fanb0y: spelling, grammer (May 19, 2021 at 10:05 PM).

  • I'm using the official Slice CM3 version from the downloads page:

    LibreELEC 9.2

    Kodi 18.9 (Linux Kernel 4.19.x)

    LibreELEC-Slice3.arm-9.2.6.img.gz

    how does the onboard sata port work? i had assumed there was a built-in USB > Sata adaptor?

    I wonder if it's a power issue? i think i remember there being some concern over drive compatibility during the Kickstarter but i can't find this noted online anymore.

    Maybe i will try the RPi2 build. is it a simple re-image?

    Yes, there will be an issue with a HDD height, as the 4TB drive is taller. i was going to 3D print a thicker piece for where the LEDs shine through. the PCB will need some washers to sit on too. Alternatively i was also considering cutting the bottom out of the case and letting the thicker drive poke through!! or 3D print a complete new case...

    ...oh and i've tried the original 2TB drive i had, and this works fine with LE on the Slice.

    I've tried various things with the 4TB drive to get it to work:

    - one large NTFS volume

    - one large exFAT volume

    - two exFAT volumnes

    nothing!!


    I love the slice concept, and i'm not aware of anything else on the market that ticks all of its boxes!

    Mathew

    Edited once, last by mevans: updates! (May 20, 2021 at 9:38 PM).

  • The Slice look like it uses a GL830 USB > Sata interface

    That makes sense, it certainly looks like a USB drive from the way Libreelec and Kodi present it.


    Maybe i will try the RPi2 build

    I dont think it will make any difference for you with this issue. it'll possibly be useful when LE10.2 is released.


    Maybe it's just a power issue

    that would be my guess too, my original drive is rated at 1amp. When you connected it via usb, did you use a seperate power supply? The plug is rated at 3amps so the slice is capable of drawing plenty of power, cant find any real power output details for that chip.

  • Quote

    When you connected it via usb, did you use a seperate power supply

    no, just direct to the Slice USB. interestingly i've just bought this: StarTech.com SATA to USB Cable - USB 3.0 to 2.5” SATA: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics, and it doesn't work with my 4TB drive (in Slice or Windows machine).

    The USB > Sata cable that does work only draws 0.3A with the 4TB drive, so i'm going to backtrack and say its the Slice's USB > SATA chip that's the issue.

    Oh well!!