So to start, I'll list the parts I used. - DB9 serial connector - Female (pic above shows backside) - D-Sub connector hood (not show in this pic) - NPN transistor ( I recomend any of these: BC546/7/8/9 BC337/8 C945 2N2222) - 1K resistor - 10K resistor - spring from ink pen - alligatar clip - wire from earbuds Tools used. - soldering iron - solder paste (flux) - solder - tweezers - wire clippers Here's links for the important parts. Obviously some of you won't have a Radio Shack near you, but at least the links will give you some necessary details so you know what to look for. - female D-Sub connector: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102498&tab=summary - D-Sub connector hood: 9- and 15-Position D-Sub Connector Hood - RadioShack.com - NPN transistor: 2N3904 NPN Small Signal Transistor - RadioShack.com - 1K resistor: 1K ohm 1/2W 5% Carbon Film Resistor pk/5 - RadioShack.com - 10K resistor:10K ohm 1/2W 5% Carbon Film Resistor pk/5 - RadioShack.com - alligatar clip: Fully Insulated Mini 1-1/4" Alligator Clips - RadioShack.com A note on the resistors used. My pictures and the links above show 1/2 watt resistors. You can use a lesser watt resistor. I just used the 1/2 watt because that's what I had on hand. A note about the transistor. It'll have 3 legs; a Base, a Collector, and an Emitter. When you purchase one, the back of the packaging usually shows which leg is which. So let's get started. Step 1 - Attach alligator clip - Take one end of earbud wire, clip off what ever is there, and separate wires a few inches. - Slide one wire through alligator boot. - Strip wire, apply flux to wire and clip, solder together. - Slide boot over clip. Step 2 - Attach probe (spring) - Streach out one end of the spring. - Clip end with wire cutters and straighten out. - Solder 2nd wire (same end that alligator clip is on) to spring. - Tuck some of the wire in to the spring. This isn't necessary but I did it so there wasn't tension on the solder joint. Step 3 - Readying the npn transistor - Using tweezers, bend legs. - Using wire cutters, clip legs. - Solder 10k resistor to the "Base" leg. - Take other end of earbud wire, clip off what ever is there, and separate wires a few inches. - Solder wire to other end of 10k resistor. Use the same wire that has the spring on the other end. - Solder 1k resistor to other wire. It'll be the same wire that has the alligator clip on the other end. Step 4 - Attaching npn to d-sub - Solder the "Emitter" to pin 5. In the picture, pin 5 is top, outside pin. - Solder the "Collector" to pin 2. In the picture, pin 2 is the top, second pin in from the left. - Solder other end of 1k resistor to pin 2. - Attach d-sub hood. That's it. Your probe is complete. The spring runs to the R707 hole on the Lite On board. The alligator clip runs to a 5 volt source. In the "Liteon Key For Free!" thread, they show the 5 volt running to a molex connector. You can use one of them while you have your pc open. You can find another helpful Tutorial here: http://xbox-experts.com/tutorial/assembling-a-liteon-probe-pictorial/
how do i use this and witch wire goes to gator clip 1k or the 10k i really want to use this method maybe a picture of what it looks like connected to the drives i purchased all required parts help please
Great work man. If I had a lite-on drive I would try. Great thinking though. Should post in tutorials section though.
Wow awesome tut! It worked great. I modified your design a little, i used a sewing needle with a plastic handle and instead of a 5v power lead to molex or batteries I used a usb cable plugged into the computer. Black is ground and red is 5v (i think, it's been a couple days since i made it).
haha i never even thought it was possible to make one, if i had rep to give it would totally have your name on it lol
why is this 7 month-old topic being bumped for thanks? just + rep. and it should be in TuTs. Mod, please move it
This is a great tutorial but can you use it on a liteon 9000 series using the xbox to power the drive and do you need an xtractor to get the firmware
DOes this work on liteon 93450c drives cause i was considering making a vampire probe and just buying the xtractor kit thanks in advance for your help
This is a copy and past jobo but still good to know http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/767988
