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

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

The Slice look like it uses a GL830 USB > Sata interface. there's no mension of capacity limit on the datasheet i looked at.

Maybe it's just a power issue.

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!!