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Tutorial: How to Upgrade the Creative Zen Vision W Hard Drive

ByJohn P.


Laptop displaying financial charts and graphs for investment analysis. Six months ago I published a guide to the complete disassembly of the Creative Zen Vision W personal media player. At the end of that post I theorized as to how one could upgrade the hard drive when larger ones came available.

Well now, thanks to the generosity of Aaron Vronko and RapidRepair.com for supplying a 100GB drive; and Dan, one of my loyal readers, for playing guinea pig using my previous post to repair his Zen, I now have the largest drive in any Zen W in the world – and the theory is now a reality!

Here is how it was done.

First of all, you need to order yourself a new hard drive. Clearly I would recommend ordering the exact one that I upgraded with from RapidRepair.com. It is the 100GB Toshiba MK1011GAH.

After you get your new drive, follow my instructions on the Creative Zen Vision W Teardown page. Once you get to the point where you are down to the bare hard drive follow these steps:

  • Download the latest firmware from the Creative site.
  • Using the Creative Media Explorer, create a backup directory on your computer’s hard drive and copy all of your content from the Zen to the computer. You MUST do this or you will lose all of your data when you remove the existing hard drive. After the upgrade you will use this data to restore the Zen back to normal.
  • Zen Vision W Plastic Shock ProtectorRemove the tape on the existing hard drive connector and, with a tiny flathead screwdriver, flip the white ZIF socket clip up and gently remove the ribbon cable.
  • Remove the blue rubber shock protectors from the edges of the old drive and set aside to reinstall on the new drive.
  • Gently insert the ribbon cable into the ZIF socket on the new drive taking care to insert it with the first pin aligned to the correct side. If you happen to put the ribbon in backwards, when the Zen boots the menu will not work correctly. If that happens just turn the drive over and insert the ribbon cable the other way.
  • Zen Vision W Recovery MenuAfter the new drive is inserted replace the red tape over the ribbon cable and Zif socket and re-assemble the Zen. You will have to trim back the rubber shock protector a little so it fits the shape of the new drive. See the attached image for an example.
  • Power on the Zen, and it will boot into the Recovery Mode menu.
  • Select the Format All option to format the drive for use.
  • Select the Reload Firmware option, plug the Zen into the USB port on your computer, and execute the firmware which you previously downloaded.
  • Zen Firmware Upgrade CompleteThe firmware installer will begin and after a minute or two when it completes you can disconnect the Zen and power it on. At this point it should boot up into the full interface except that the drive is completely empty.
  • Use the Creative Media Explorer software to reload all of your music, movies, photos, etc. and enjoy your new gigantic hard drive!

Once you’ve completed the upgrade you could, in theory, order this case to repurpose your old drive and use it as a USB external storage device. However, I have not tried this so I am not advocating it. Perhaps if they send me one to test out I’ll give an update later if it works.

Please let me know if anything is unclear or you have suggestions on how to improve this article.

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John P.

John P. is a former CEO, former TV Show Host, and the Founder and Wizard behind Texas Metal Works. You can find him on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Feel free to send shoutouts, insults, and praise.

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138 Comments

  1. Hi, I was wanting some advice on upgrading my Zen Vision W. Currently the 30Gig and just to small. Do you know how many pins the ZIF drive is in these? 40pin socket? Really need help with the pin configuration so I know what drives are suitable.

    Would either of the drives work below –

    US $134.56 – MK2431GAH 1.8″ 240GB ZIF/PATA F Macbook air IPOD&MBA rev.A Hard drive
    Dimensions –
    Hight – 7.874mm
    Width – 54.102mm
    Depth – 71.12mm
    Weight – 58.96grms

    US $61.59 – 32GB 1.8″ ZIF 40 Pin SSD HDD MLC Solid State Disk Fr Dell D420 D430 HP – (The SSD would just be to see how it run and if it could extend playback time, not so much for more space)
    Size – 72 x 55 x 5mm
    Weight – 35g

    Would a solid state drive work in these at all???

    Link for screens also, they have a few different things aftermarket – (Shop around, I’m sure there are better prices, just the only page I looked at so far.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Creative-ZEN-Vision-M-30gb-60GB-LCD-TFT-Screen-New-/400118935991?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item5d28f271b7

  2. After several years of faithful service, my Zen had a hard drive failure. I used your method and the drive mentioned (now an even 100USD from RR) and it lives once more! Thank you for this very helpful tutorial!

    Although, I will second what was said earlier: Remove the EMI shield. Otherwise you risk straining the other components.

  3. I dug my Zen Vision W 60GB out of storage. The HDD failed years ago. Has anyone heard of an adapter to install an SD card in place of the HDD.

  5. Have just upgraded to the 100 gig toshiba drive, (the existing drive failed/clicking), the drive is thicker and the cover wouldn’t fit! Solution, I machined the rear stainless cover and the plastic rear case so the drive neatly protrudes against the battery, the rubber dampening has been included so the drive will have some protection against the PCB.
    The Result:
    100 Gig of zen vision W still working great and all it cost was $70 (Second hand drive from Dell Laptop).
    At this price I can afford at least 12 months and if it dies I’ll shop for another media player after that. Thanks for the Information John, It’s great when Knowledge is shared.
    Cheers.

  6. I too would like to know the brand and model number of a Zif hard drive that will work in a Creative Zen W so I can upgrade mine?

  7. hey guys i got in a horrific wreck a few years back and my zen vision w was on the dash when it happened and it went into the water with the rest of the truck, i dried it out and it wouldnt boot so i tried booting it in safe mode menu and it came on just fine but when i try and format the drive ect. it freezes.. so i figure i fucked up the hard drive and now learning i can replace it i was wondering if anyone knows all the types and sizes (GB) of drives that will work with it? i know its alot to ask but if its as simple as any ATA-7 1.8″ zif drive it would be badass.

    thanks,
    Danny

  8. Saw a couple of hard drives made by Samsung, which I believe will work with the Zen Vision W Slim. However, I also saw a couple with the Apple logo. Should we be avoiding that re: hdd firmware issue?

  9. I have attempted to replace my failed 60GB hd with the 120GB Toshiba MK1231GAL, however I cannot format the drive or replace the firmware without a Hard Disk Problem message. Previously I was getting a “Hard Drive Error” message on my old drive. I need to decide if I am going to send this drive back for a refund in the next few days depending if I can ultimately use this drive or not. Please help!!!

    1. did you manage to get this to work or did you send it back?

      I’m facing the same problem with my Creative Zen Vision W – HDD died. Everything in ebay seems to list only for iPOD.

      Have narrowed down several 5mm drives but some posts seem to indicate that either there’s a firmware issue on the HDDs that won’t allow it to format properly in the Zen Vision W or the HDDs are encrypted only for iPODs.

      Can those who managed to replace the drive please help all those people here?

      If you tried a HDD and it didn’t work, please post too.

      Thank you in advance!

  10. Salve il mio Creative Zen Vision W mi dice harddisk problem infatti hdd non girava più allora io ho sostituito con un altro hdd NUOVO Toshiba MK1231GAL questo lo senti che gira e funziona ma il messaggio harddisk problem c’é ancora e non riesco fare l’aggiornamento e possibile avere il vostro aiuto io abito a Padova Italia Grazie

    —————————————

    Hi mine Creative Zen Vision W tells me harddisk problem in fact hdd it didn’t turn thener me I have replaced with another New hdd Toshiba MK1231GAL this you feel him/it that it turns and it works but the message harddisk problem there is still and I doesn’t succeed to make the updating and possible have your help I live in Padua Italy Thanks

  13. hi

    I have bought a kingspec ssd 32GB ZIF. I am not able to install it into my creative vision W. could you help me out please

    Thank you
    Dinesh

  14. Hi
    Zen W 30gb upgrade with Toshiba MK1231GAL (5mm) , Harddisk problem message, impossible to reload firmware, question : LIf or ZIf for this HD ? very difficult to get it in the cable into the LIF connector slot

    1. Did you manage to get the MK1231GAL to work? Or what drive did you manage replace it with?

  15. I just ordered the Toshiba MK1231GAL.
    It is 5mm thick and has the ZIF connector.
    I’ll let you guys know when I change the drive whether it works.

  16. Dear John, I have a Creative Zen Vision M 30gb. Is it possible to upgrade its hard disk to 100GB using the 100GB Toshiba MK1011GAH?or what hard drive would you recommend to fit into the unit?How I wish to upgrade player. Thank you in advance

  17. I have a problem in my creative zen vision w. It has the hard disk problem. How do i tackle this problem.

  18. I’d just like to ask people if they are going to refer to a drive which works then please state specifically what it is.
    Someone has already talked about an 80gb Samsung drive which works but that isn’t much help in tracking down which specific one.
    I’ve just tried a Toshiba 120gb MK1214GAH which is supposed to work great.
    I believe it does too, it just won’t fit into the slim version of the ZVW, I have a slim 60gb.
    I have heard there is a trick to get it in.
    If someone can tell me I’d be obliged.
    I also found that I could not format the drive or get past the hard drive error.
    If someone could say what needs to be done you’d really be helping.

    Thanks guys & good luck.
    Great little (!?) unit though, just a shame 60gbs was ‘it’.

  19. I have a Creative Zen Vision 30GB hard drive with the Toshiba MK3006GAL 5mm T-type connector with 50 pin.

    Ask please help where I can buy a 60GB with the same connection type T and 5mm.

    Thanks

  20. No idea, but would appreciate hearing if you figured it out? I have the same problem with the Vision W, and the Toshiba MK1011GAH.

    1. My update:

      I have a Creative Zen Vision W that originally came with the Seagate ST760211DE 60Gb. It is a slim version.
      I tried the Toshiba MK1011GAH, and it didn’t work. Too fat at 8mm.
      Then I tried the Toshiba MK8022GAA 80Gb, and it didn’t work either. Right size, but proprietary to the Apple iPod Classic gen 6 video. It uses an extended/encrypted command set which makes it useless in any other device.
      So then I got a Samsung HS081HA 80Gb. This works! When reloading the firmware the player hangs and the software says the update failed. But just leave the player in. It will eventually restart itself, and should be working fine :)

  21. Hi, today I exchanged my Zen Vision M (60Gb Slim) Seagate HD (harddisk problem) with a new Toshiba MK1231GAL (1.8″, 120Gb, 5mm). My problem is that the new HD keeps on coming with the harddisk problem message.
    I replaced the HD and turned it on. It starts in the recovery mode. Format all returns the harddisk problem message. Trying to reload the firmware doesn’t work out either as the program hangs at 90%. I already turned the HD upside down as I’m not 100% sure what the first pin is on the HD. Anybody an idea on how to proceed to get this working? Grapez

    1. Salve sei riuscito risolvere il Problema con HDD Toshiba MK1231GAL Creative Zen Vision W e farlo funzionare .
      Grazie Ricky Italy

      —————————————

      Salutes you have succeeded to resolve the Problem with Creative HDD Toshiba MK1231GAL Zen Vision W and to make him/it work.
      Thanks Ricky Italy

  22. This is a great article and really help me upgrade my Zen. First by extending the confidence to me that it actually can be done. Second by showing me how to do it. However, there are a couple of really important issues that I ran accross. The drive described in the article does not fit in the Zen Vision W 30GB chassis. I bought one and had to return it. That is an 8mm high drive and the 30GB ZEN requires the 5mm drive. I believe that any 5mm drive will work. I bought the Samsung 80GB drive and it worked great. I use Vista 64 and for an unknown reason it would not recognize the USB device in order to install the firmware. I had to connect it an XP PC for it to work. It may just be me. In my case the original drive had crashed so I did not back up before starting. So, once it was formatted and “firmwared” I had to run the sync manager wizard for the file structure to re-occur. After that I was able to copy my media back and I’m once again enjoying my Zen Vision W, even better now with 80GB. Thanks John P.

  24. i had an hard disc problem and i bouth an new one hard disc it is …
    but he said also that i got an hard disc problem so can it be the connector cable?
    i didn’t do anything to it or should i had do something before i connecting it..

  25. thanks! really helpful. I had to change my harddrive, it was making this strange clicking sound when i turned it on. I just replaced it with another 30GB but soon I want to upgrade to 100GB. If only my Creative mediasource could recognize it now!!

  29. Hello,

    Today I replaced my Seagtae 60Gb harddrive – Zen Vision W 60gb slim version,
    with the Toshiba 80gb MK8025GAL – 5mm tickness – works great no sanding, but take care with disable the wires will brake in a second.

    Rgrds

    Jerry form Holland

  30. zen-w was damaged of hardisk so that do you show me the way of using ZIP adaptor to converte to CF card slot in my Zen W 60G . what kinds of CF cards can support in the unit , for instance , 512M , 4G, 8G …..?

  31. I have two W’s and both have died on me if i buy a new drive for them can i get them up and running again?

  32. After some careful scrutiny of you posted pics (very nice detail, btw), it looks like there may be two different Vision W 60GB cases. In the pic, your AV port (off to the right) looks like it’s only about 1mm or so from the drive cushioning. On my unit, when the HD is in, there’s a good 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch between the drive and the backside of the AV port. Also, if I take my drive, put the blue cushioning on, and place it in the drive cover (the sheet metal casing that had to be removed), it clearly sticks us a 1mm or so out of the drive cover. This means that when you attempt to rebuild the unit, the drive cover screw holes, don’t fit back down on the sytem board of the unit to screw in.

    So my next question is, does anyone know of a 5mm drive that they know works with the Zen Vision W (don’t care if it’s the same 60GB size I had or an upgrade, just want something that works).

  33. That’s what you get for accidentally hitting enter.

    Anyway,

    I was about to say, I wonder if there are 2 different case styles/sizes. I have an 8mm drive I just got in and it does not fit in the case without bowing the back. The drive that came out is a Seagate ST760211DE. A 5mm drive. Now I gotta see if I can send back the drive.

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