Modding the Acer Aspire One

Welcome to a multi-part post on moddng the Acer Aspire One!

In part 1, I demonstrate how to take the Aspire One apart, how to upgrade the RAM, and how to add internal Bluetooth…

Here’s a video and some pictures.that cover the take apart and RAM upgrade process.

The Bluetooth mod is pretty much identical to the one I performed on my Asus 701 (Eee). Use that post for reference, and keep an eye on the pictures for some future annotations.

Basically, I connected a micro USB Bluetooth module (Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR) to a 5V trace (off in standby), a nearby ground trace, and the USB signals available on the mini PCIe card slot occupied by the WiFi card. The USB Bluetooth module was stripped, wrapped in Kapton tape and installed under the palm rest.

For more information, visit tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/modding- the-acer-aspire-o...

In part 2, I demonstrate how to replace the SSD with a 1.8″ PATA hard drive and how to reassemble the Aspire One…

Here’s another video and additional pictures.that cover the process.

The Aspire One SSD features the same ZIF connector found on 1.8″ PATA hard drives, which are small, light, efficient, affordable, plentiful, and somewhat shock resistant - all this while providing more storage and better performance than this particular SSD. Blame the iPod :)

Apparently, there’s just enough space for a thin (5 mm) 1.8″ PATA hard drive under the Aspire One’s motherboard. I happened to have such a hard drive floating around, a 60 GB Samsung. It’s a plug-an-play mod - just disconnect the ribbon cable from the SSD and connect it to the hard drive.

I used double-sided adhesive foam squares to secure it to the motherboard. This adds some padding and provides protection for the hard drive, but makes for an even tighter fit. Check out the pictures.

For more information, visit tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/modding- the-acer-aspire-o...

In part 3, I demonstrate how to add internal 3G to the Aspire One (specifically HSDPA). Here’s another video and additional pictures that cover the process - enjoy :)

First, I’d like to apologize to those who have been waiting patiently for this mod. Since I posted parts 1 & 2, I’ve been quite busy with work and other distractions, such as Burning Man and my trip to Finland. To make matters more difficult, some of the parts I ordered took 2 months to be delivered.

Second, this mod was pretty difficult, but it was definitely worth it. Some things, like soldering the missing mini-PCIe connector, only required the right skill and equipment. Other things, like getting power to the mini-PCIe card and wiring up the SIM holder, required a lot of trial and error.

DISCLAIMER: If you’re not experienced doing precision soldering with a fine-tipped, temperature-controlled iron, using soldering wick & flux, as well as proper magnification, then I suggest you avoid this mod. I’m not responsible if you damage anything. In fact, one of my SIMs was destroyed in the making of this mod.

Parts list:
- Right-angle, 9 mm height mini-PCIe connector
- Push-push, 6 pin SIM holder
- Multi-band antenna with cable and U.FL connector
- Unlocked mini-PCIe 3G (HSUPA/HSDPA/EDGE/GPRS) card

1) Solder the mini-PCIe connector. By default there’s no power to the connector until you install this jumper.

2) Chances are you’ll have to modify the SIM holder to match this pinout. Be creative! If you’re lucky to find the right SIM holder, just solder it on and email me the manufacturer/part #. I’d like to thank JKK for providing me with a physically (but not electrically, oops) compatible SIM holder. By default there’s no power to the SIM holder, until you install this jumper.

3) If you completely dismantle and insulate this antenna, it fits next to the WiFi card under the palm rest…

4) Inside the Sierra Wireless/AT&T AirCard 875U or 881U USB modem there’s a mini-PCIe 3G card. Who knew? If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, unlocked 875U or 881U, go here or there.

5) You’ll have to tape pin 20 on the mini-PCIe 3G card. Once again, I’d like to thank JKK for this tip. That’s it, you’re done :)

The pictures show the end result. I used the mini-PCIe card from my Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U together with the Sierra Wireless 3G Watcher. With this mod, I managed 2084 Kbps down and 347 Kbps up. That’s very good!

In part 4, I’ll be adding eSATA to the Aspire One, so keep reading…

For more information, visit tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/modding- the-acer-aspire-o...

In part 4, I demonstrate how to add eSATA to the Aspire One. Here’s another video and additional pictures that cover the process. As usual, I’m not responsible if you damage anything.

There are two basic versions of the original Aspire One - both use the same motherboard, and both support a PATA interface and a SATA interface. The SDD version features the same ZIF connector found on 1.8″ PATA hard drives, but no SATA connector. The HDD version features a standard 2.5″ SATA hard drive connector and a modified casing, but no ZIF connector…

Since I replaced the slower 8 GB SSD with a faster 60 GB hard drive on the PATA interface and the SATA interface was still unused, I decided to add an external eSATA connector to my Aspire One :)

This mod was pretty simple. Basically I salvaged an eSATA socket from a desktop bracket and some thin 2-conductor shielded microphone cable from inside a broken laptop - shielded cable is important because SATA uses LVDS. Then I connected the eSATA socket to the traces of the missing SATA connector - that’s it!

The tricky part was to find a good location to cut a hole in the case and mount the eSATA socket without interference. I picked this nice spot right above the left SD card slot (appropriately labeled “Storage Expansion”) and soldered the eSATA socket to the ground plane (structural).

The result is very clean and functional - of course, a reboot is required to register any connected eSATA device with the BIOS.

I hope you enjoyed this multi-part post on hacking the Acer Aspire One. Originally, I was thinking of doing a touch screen mod for part 5, but scrapped the idea it because it impacted screen readability.

Hmmm, I wonder how much this really cool Aspire One is worth :) Any buyers?

For more information, visit tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/modding- the-acer-aspire-o...

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items are from between 13 Aug 2008 & 09 Mar 2009.