Adding memory to 8GB Zune?

Shiftlock · 11-16-2007, 08:46 AM

Okay, so the special Citron Zune was given to the Zune team with 16GB. Is it possible to turn an 8GB Zune into a 16GB Zune by simply adding memory chips? For that matter, how about turning a 4GB Zune into an 8GB or 16GB? Sure, soldering surface-mount memory isn't as simple as whipping out a 30W soldering iron, but it can be done, and I bet the chips are relatively inexpensive if you can find them. Anybody know for sure? Will someone take a look inside for empty memory locations on the board?

Gregory · 11-16-2007, 12:58 PM

It might be possible if you had the skills. But I doubt it.

Aden · 11-17-2007, 05:34 AM

It should be possible, i read at rapidrepair that there are two chips in the 8gb and only one chip in the 4gb (each chip is 4gb). I think both the Zune 4 and 8 have the same mainboard and that 1chip in the 4gb is left empty/blank. I guess that the 16gb has 2 8gb chips though, as i think 4 x 4gb chips would require a new mainboard.. i will look into finding what chips these are, where they come from and how to get emm..

CameleonMK · 11-17-2007, 06:22 AM

Yea, I think it will work with basic knowledge of soldering and stuff like that.

Shiftlock · 11-18-2007, 10:43 AM

Thanks to RapidRepair, we now have shots of the inside of the Zune 8GB:

www dot rapidrepair dot com/guides/zune2/Flash-Zune-8GB-Take-Apart-Guide.htm

(Sorry about the split text URL - apparently I can't post links because my post count is less than 5)

It looks like a single memory chip, so upgrading would mean replacing it instead of adding a chip. If you look at the first high resolution picture (at bottom of the page), I believe the flash memory is the chip all the way on the right in that shot. I can't read the writing on it, but it looks like it has 48 pins. Anybody know what form-factor that chip is? It's not TSOP, which I believe is what the flash-based iPods use. Whatever it is, it's obviously available in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB. Anybody have any insight at all? I bet if someone sold a kit to turn a 4GB or 8GB Zune into 16GB, it would sell like crazy. Maybe RapidRepair will look iinto it.

11-16-2007, 08:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Shiftlock Zewbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2 Reputation: 10	Adding memory to 8GB Zune? Okay, so the special Citron Zune was given to the Zune team with 16GB. Is it possible to turn an 8GB Zune into a 16GB Zune by simply adding memory chips? For that matter, how about turning a 4GB Zune into an 8GB or 16GB? Sure, soldering surface-mount memory isn't as simple as whipping out a 30W soldering iron, but it can be done, and I bet the chips are relatively inexpensive if you can find them. Anybody know for sure? Will someone take a look inside for empty memory locations on the board?

11-16-2007, 12:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gregory Support Team Moderator Ultimate Zuner Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: What a stalker! Posts: 6,441 Reputation: 265	It might be possible if you had the skills. But I doubt it. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Do you live outside of the US, have Paypal, and want the Zune Pass? If so PM or visit my To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. .

11-17-2007, 05:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Aden Posting Disabled Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: www.darkzune.com Posts: 585 Reputation: 7	It should be possible, i read at rapidrepair that there are two chips in the 8gb and only one chip in the 4gb (each chip is 4gb). I think both the Zune 4 and 8 have the same mainboard and that 1chip in the 4gb is left empty/blank. I guess that the 16gb has 2 8gb chips though, as i think 4 x 4gb chips would require a new mainboard.. i will look into finding what chips these are, where they come from and how to get emm..

11-18-2007, 10:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shiftlock Zewbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2 Reputation: 10	Thanks to RapidRepair, we now have shots of the inside of the Zune 8GB: www dot rapidrepair dot com/guides/zune2/Flash-Zune-8GB-Take-Apart-Guide.htm (Sorry about the split text URL - apparently I can't post links because my post count is less than 5) It looks like a single memory chip, so upgrading would mean replacing it instead of adding a chip. If you look at the first high resolution picture (at bottom of the page), I believe the flash memory is the chip all the way on the right in that shot. I can't read the writing on it, but it looks like it has 48 pins. Anybody know what form-factor that chip is? It's not TSOP, which I believe is what the flash-based iPods use. Whatever it is, it's obviously available in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB. Anybody have any insight at all? I bet if someone sold a kit to turn a 4GB or 8GB Zune into 16GB, it would sell like crazy. Maybe RapidRepair will look iinto it.

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