Insulating, Covering or Protecting a SD Card That Protudes from 14" HP X360 Chromebook (Celeron ~14a-Ca)

freedomj on 13/06/2024 - 12:13
Last edited 13/06/2024 - 14:39

Weird issue, natively support Micro SD Card
Chipset/ Motherboard codename: Bloog/Bloorg
Similar to this, but 32 GB https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c0790584 (CPU seems right)
Less similar to this Pentium
https://www.hp.com/au-en/shop/hp-chromebook-x360-2-in-1-lapt…

I installed Debian on this old, but full featured Chromebook (required a challenging back panel removal, removing the battery connnecting, powering on via AC and piping an online script to the shell to disable system write protection at the software and hardware level; permanently removing ChromeOS)

It's nice and my wife uses it as an online recipe book, I use it for note-taking as it has an amazing battery life.

But it comes with only 32GiB of storage. I attached inserted a 256GiB MicroSD into the slot, but it protrudes, which I'm concerned if I am careless with it while in a backpack/laptop sleeve I will hit the SD card hard enough to damage, or eject it. I'm trying to work out how to shield/insulate it with DIY method, like sticking some rubber either side of it, but I'm not really sure what's going to work. I don't mind adding a bit of tape if I can get it the right colour; it's just the worst case scenario if it gets bumped and the SD card ejects and then I have to remove my casing to reinsert the SD card.

Anyone have any similarly weird build/design issues?

Computing Chromebook HP

Comments

  • Boioioioi on 13/06/2024 - 13:07
    +1

    Got any mates with a 3d printer? Get them to design a speed bump style thing to protect it, glue it on with some epoxy.

    Or heck carve one out of a piece of wood maybe

    • freedomj on 13/06/2024 - 14:37

      How would you stick the wood to the metal casing? Treated wood with a smooth surface might superglue?

      • Boioioioi on 13/06/2024 - 14:55

        Rough up both surfaces a bit, use 5 minute epoxy.

  • Noblejoker on 13/06/2024 - 13:37

    Attached How? There is no SD card slot so I assume you have hacked it into the back panel/case somehow
    Photos or paint diagram needed
    As an alternative can you use different storage? a bigger and faster eMMc rather should fit straight in

    • freedomj on 13/06/2024 - 14:36

      Micro SD slot it pushes in and clicks and then springs back, settling non-flush with the side of the device (protrudes say 2mm)

  • mskeggs on 13/06/2024 - 13:47

    Search eBay for flush fitting micro SD or short SD.
    Eg item number 314690734003

    • freedomj on 13/06/2024 - 14:39

      This is sort of what I was picturing, but
      Device has a micro SD card slot, not full size

  • GordonD on 13/06/2024 - 13:51
    +1

    You don't want to accidentally eject the card. But do you want to be able to deliberately eject it, ever, or do you want it there permanently? If its the latter, gluing it to the slot would prevent any possible accidental. And some superglue, which can be dissolved with acetone, would make it possible to deliberately eject it if you ever change your mind.

    In fact a couple of bumpers glued to each side of the card would prevent it ejecting by preventing it going further in. But with surgery with something sharp could be removed if need be without damaging the computer's case.

    • freedomj on 13/06/2024 - 14:34

      Yeah permanent is fine.

      Gluing the sides of the card should prevent ejecting, and then just sticking on some rubber pieces, perhaps recycled feet from old electronics to prevent the plastic getting struck might be just the trick.

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