I get my new car on thursday and im just wondering can you use an external HDD with the mdi? via the usb cable?

Regards Mike

I get my new car on thursday and im just wondering can you use an external HDD with the mdi? via the usb cable?

Regards Mike

I'm currently running a Western Digital My Passport 320Gb HDD with mine, but IIRC I had to convert it to FAT before it would work

I get my new car on thursday and im just wondering can you use an external HDD with the mdi? via the usb cable?

Regards Mike

Yes you can but it needs to be formatted to FAT32. The car won't be delivered with the correct cables - you will need the MDI to USB cable. I got mine used off EBAY for £12; I think they are about £20 from the dealer.

see also this thread

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/177055-bolero-can-it-really-handle-32gb-cards/

and how do i convert it to FAT32? im a bit basic in computers :S

and how do i convert it to FAT32? im a bit basic in computers :S

So was I - I managed it, but I can't remember how :'(

I'm sure someone on here will be able to point you in the right direction :yes:

I googled for "FAT32 Formatter"

downloaded this one

http://tokiwa.qee.jp/EN/Fat32Formatter/index.html

It is a bit basic and takes a little working out but I got there in the end. The thing I like about it is that it needs no installation and doesn't mess around with registry entries. You just extract it from the zip file and run it. Just be sure you select the USB disk and not your internal drive C:

It is also very slow - it took best part of 45 minutes to format my 80GB

Edited 16 October, 201015 yr by eccleshill

I googled for "FAT32 Formatter"

downloaded this one

http://tokiwa.qee.jp/EN/Fat32Formatter/index.html

It is a bit basic and takes a little working out but I got there in the end. The thing I like about it is that it needs no installation and doesn't mess around with registry entries. You just extract it from the zip file and run it. Just be sure you select the USB disk and not your internal drive C:

It is also very slow - it took best part of 45 minutes to format my 80GB

You can do this all within Windows Vista and Windows 7 without any additional tools. The screenshots below are from Windows7 but the process is the same in Vista.

People who only have access to Windows XP will find that they cannot format drives larger than 32GB with FAT32 using the built-in tools. Your best bet is to find a friendly person with a Vista or Windows 7 machine; alternatively you could use the utility suggested above or the free tool Parted Magic (http://partedmagic.com/).

Right click the disk you want to format and select the [Format] option from the context menu:

Select exFAT. Quick format is fine for your purposes and providing a label is optional:

Double-check you are formatting the intended drive and click [Ok]:

Format complete, took a matter of seconds. Click [Ok]:

Newly formatted drive labelled 'MDI':

Properties (right click menu) confirm that the drive is now exFAT (FAT32):

Best regards

David

Edited 16 October, 201015 yr by cookdn

I've got a feeling I tried that on my WD Passport, but found that it had some form of protection which didn't make it quite as straightforward as that - but as I say, I'm working from memory :S

I've got a feeling I tried that on my WD Passport, but found that it had some form of protection which didn't make it quite as straightforward as that - but as I say, I'm working from memory :S

Not aware of that but I haven't any direct experience of WD Passport drives.

I think the issue is that XP natively only formats drives upto 32GB with FAT32. On that basis my previous instructions are are a little misleading (I'll correct them now). This not an issue for Windows 7 or Vista SP1 and above.

For people who only have access to Windows XP the utility suggested above is probably a good solution. Acronis True Image, which many people use for backup, will format large drives with FAT32 and you can use other free tools such as Parted Magic (http://partedmagic.com/). Windows XP will use FAT32 (exFAT) drives larger than 32GB once they have been formated.

Best regards

David

Edited 16 October, 201015 yr by cookdn

Sorry if I sound daft but how do you power the external hard drive.

Sorry if I sound daft but how do you power the external hard drive.

Power comes from the USB socket - many portable HDD drives are self-powered

thankyou that guide is perfect as i have windows 7, thanks again Mike

Ok Now comes the stupid questions:-

1) Does the MDI interface have to be ordered or is it std on the vRS ?

2) The cables shown in this thread look like there is a connection on the rear of the Bolero unit, can these cables just be plugged into the back of the H/U, run through to the front of the car, & a suitable HDD attached ?

3) Some pictures from the brochures show / infer that what looks like a 3.5mm jack point in the Jumbo box , is an MDI , Is this correct ?

In order to un confuse me I suppose it would be nice to clarify what the connection in the jumbo box is ?

If its just a 3.5mm jack point, then an MDI cable from the back of the unit to the car can be connected to the HU & used with a suitable HDD.

Thanks for any info

Ok Now comes the stupid questions:-

1) Does the MDI interface have to be ordered or is it std on the vRS ?

2) The cables shown in this thread look like there is a connection on the rear of the Bolero unit, can these cables just be plugged into the back of the H/U, run through to the front of the car, & a suitable HDD attached ?

3) Some pictures from the brochures show / infer that what looks like a 3.5mm jack point in the Jumbo box , is an MDI , Is this correct ?

In order to un confuse me I suppose it would be nice to clarify what the connection in the jumbo box is ?

If its just a 3.5mm jack point, then an MDI cable from the back of the unit to the car can be connected to the HU & used with a suitable HDD.

Thanks for any info

1/ MDI is not standard on anything - approx £150 optional extra

2/ The MDI socket is mounted in the passenger glovebox on the right-hand "wall" (on a RHD car). I don't know if this is just an extension lead to the back of the Bolero (expensive if it is!!) or whether there are additional electronics/interface components out of sight.

3/ The socket in the Jumbo box is not MDI, that is just an AUX input for the Bolero - difference - the AUX input turns the Bolero into a pair of speakers for your Ipod or whatever; there is no power supply and control is from the device not the Bolero, you cannot connect an HDD into this socket. With the MDI there is power (to run an HDD or charge your Ipod) and the control is from the Bolero touchscreen or the MFSW - the full playlist directory shows on the Bolero screen and you make selections via the Bolero not the device.

You need to buy the correct lead to connect your device to the MDI - they are not included in the £150. I think there are 3 types - Ipod specific, standard female USB, male mini USB.

Hope that makes it clear

Edited 19 October, 201015 yr by eccleshill

Thanks

That has un confused an old man .

I now know what I have to do - make sure the 16gb hdsc card works