Expansion Slots and Cards
From OESF
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What do CF, SD and MMC stand for?
- CF stands for Compact Flash
The Zaurus has a 'Type 2' CF slot, which means it can support larger, 'Type 2' CF devices, like micro-harddrives, and IO devices like Wifi cards.
- SD stands for Secure Digital
... (no security / compatible with MMC)
- MMC stands for MultiMedia Card
... (predecessor to SD)
Last updated: 2002.Mar.29
Can I use MMC cards instead of SD cards? They look the same.
- Yes, they are compatible
SD cards add two pins (one on either side) on top of the 7 that MMC cards have. ...
Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
I heard CF cards were compatible with PCMCIA cards. Can I use PCMCIA on my Zaurus?
- Yes, using an adapter
CF cards and PCMCIA cards are similar, but they are in a different form factor. There are adapters which plug into a CF slot (like on the Zaurus), and allow you to plug PCMCIA devices into it.
(They cost approx. USD $50).
Whether the PCMCIA devices will work once connected, is another story...
Last updated: 2002.Mar.29
Are CF and SD memory cards automatically 'mounted' when I insert them into my Zaurus?
- Yes, CF and SD memory cards are mounted automatically.
The 'cardmgr' and 'sdmgr' processes running on your Zaurus will notice when a card is plugged in, and automatically mount it.
You should see a 'SD' (for SD cards) or 
(for CF cards) card appear on the taskbar, at the bottom right of the screen.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.28
What format are CF and SD cards usually in?
- FAT16
Almost all CF and SD cards are pre-formatted in FAT16 (MSDOS/Windows) format. This is also the format most digital cameras and other devices expect them to be in. (The Zaurus also supports other formats, like Linux 'ext2fs').
Last updated: 2002.Apr.15
How do I get to the files on my SD/CF cards when they're in the Zaurus?
- They should be available automatically
Most programs (including the 'Documents' tab of the launcher) will automatically see files on the mounted cards.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.28
- They are in /mnt/card and /mnt/cf, respectively.
When issuing commands from within the 
program, or when using applications that provide a desktop-computer-style file browser for accessing files, the contents of the SD and CF cards can be found within the "/mnt/card" and "/mnt/cf" directories on the Zaurus's filesystem, respectively.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.29
Am I supposed to 'Unmount' CF and SD memory cards before physically removing them?
- Yes, unmounting is suggested.
In case there is still data left to be written to a file on the SD or CF card, you should 'Eject' ('Unmount') it before physically taking it out of the device. This ensures that the data finishes writing. Once it's done, the card's icon will disappear from the taskbar, and you know it's safe to remove it. It's usually OK to just pop the cards if you've made sure no programs are accessing the files on them at that moment.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.30
How do I 'Unmount' CF and SD memory cards?
- Tap their icon in the taskbar.
Tap the 'SD' or icon in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Select "Eject Card" from the menu that appears. Once the icon has disappeared, it is safe to remove the card.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.28
I tried to 'unmount' a card using 'Eject', but the icon doesn't go away!
- Something is still using the card
Unfortunately, unlike the Linux 'umount' command, the Qtopia GUI's 'Eject' command doesn't give you an error (like "device is busy") if something is still being used on the card.
Most Qtopia programs are good about 'letting go' of the cards, so they shouldn't cause a problem. If you've got a open, though, make sure you're not in the '/mnt/cf' or '/mnt/card' directory. If absolutely nothing helps, try rebooting from the 'Shutdown' app.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.30
How can I write to SD/CF cards using my PC?
- Use a card reader
You can purchase a USB Compact Flash card reader for PCs.
Some include slots to read other cards, as well.
Note: Desktop Linux users will need a Kernel capable of USB (version 2.4 or later, and some later 2.2.x versions), and may need to configure the kernel to support CF card readers.
Last updated: 2002.Mar.29
- Use your Zaurus
With the Sharp SL5500 2.x ROMs (all newer devices, like the clamshell imports, support this too):
With the Zaurus in its cradle, for CF cards type the following URL into a browser that gives FTP write abilities: ftp://192.168.129.201:4242/../../mnt/cf
For SD cards use the following URL: ftp://192.168.129.201:4242/../../mnt/card
With the Sharp SL5500 3.x ROMs and all other Sharp ROMs on the newer models:
In Windows type the following into the Start->Run box:
\\192.168.129.201\home
A folder will appear that gives you access to the CF/SD cards
In Linux run the following:
mkdir /mnt/zaurus mount -t smbfs //192.168.129.201/home /mnt/zaurus
You should then be able to see the SD/CF cards under /mnt/zaurus
Make sure you run the following command before removing the Zaurus from the cradle or turning it off:
umount /mnt/zaurus
Source: tumnus
Last updated: 2003.Oct.08
Can I use CF microdrives with the Zaurus?
- Yes, but they may get warm
CF microdrives work just fine, but they're a bit power-hungry, so make sure you pop them out when you're not using them. They also tend to get warm, but not warmer than they would in an enclosed camera/mp3-player, and they also draw quite a bit of power, and have that spin down/spin-up issue that will get you a slower reaction time than with big CF cards now available.
Last updated: 2005.Apr.02
Can I use a CF or SD card as memory, instead of file storage space?
- Set up a 'swap' file on the card
It is not recommended for normal usage (since writing and rewriting to the same area of flash media will wear it out much more quickly than normal usage), or the faint of heart, but creating a 'swap' file (virtual memory) on a card is possible.
Set up a swap file, and more "memory" will be available for programs. (Just remember to remove the swap file before unmounting and removing the card.)
- Open the *Create an empty file for use as swap. For example:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/mnt/cf/SwapFile count=32768
("count" is the size of the file in 512-byte blocks, so 32768 is 16MB. "of" specifies the location of the swapfile. In this case, on the mounted CF card.)
- Turn the blank file into a swap file:
mkswap /mnt/cf/SwapFile
- Activate the swapfile:
swapon /mnt/cf/SwapFile
You can see the swap by checking the available memory. Run the command "free".
To turn off the swapfile (you won't be able to eject the card unless you do this first!!!), run the command:
swapoff /mnt/cf/SwapFile
See also: Increasing virtual memory on your 5000D (http://www.geocrawler.com/lists/3/SourceForge/18496/25/8290829/)
Source: Howard R. Abbey, Huge Eaves, Rick Spickelmier
Last updated: 2002.Apr.06
My Internal storage space is running out!
- Move documents to a CF or SD card using the Documents Tab
In the 'Documents' tab, if you click-and-hold the icon of a document, you can adjust some of its settings, including where it's stored. If you have room on an external storage device (a CF or SD card), simply change the 'Location' using the pulldown menu, and then click '(OK)' and the file will be moved.
Last updated: 2002.Apr.05
- Save new files to the CF or SD card
Unfortunately, not many, but some applications (like the 'Voice Recorder') allow you to choose where new documents will be stored. If you're running low on Internal space, choose a different storage location.
Last updated: 2002.Apr.05
Can I change the filesystem type on an SD or CF card?
- Yes ...
Most SD and CF cards come pre-formatted in Windows FAT16 or FAT32 format, for use in WinCE/PocketPC PDAs, digital cameras, etc.
On the Zaurus, you can reformat them to EXT2 format, which is the most commonly-used filesystem under Linux.
Changing the filesystem to EXT2 is useful because you get case-sensitive long filenames, file permissions and ownership settings, symbolic link support, and more.
Last updated: 2002.Apr.06
What other kinds of CF cards can I use?
Digital Camera card
- Sharp CE-AG06
Source: Rolf Leggewie
Last Updated: 2005.Jan.23
LAN (ethernet) cards
Some confirmed models::
- Socket Low Power Ethernet
- Xircom Compact LAN (CFE-10BT)
- Laneed Dongle-less LAN card (LD-CF/T)
Source: Sharp
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09
802.11 WLAN cards
Some confirmed models::
- DLink DCF-650W
- SMC 2642 or 2645
- LANEscapeTMXI-800
- GeoWave GW-CF110
Source: Sharp, John Astill
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09
- Zonet ZCF1100 with cacko linux, about 200K/sec http download
Source: Doncho Gunchev, I'm using one right now
Last updated: 2006.Sep.25
HomeRF WLAN cards
Some confirmed models::
- Proxim OpenAir and Harmony OpenAir Model 7630
Source: Sharp
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09
Modem cards
Some confirmed models::
- Xircom CompactCard Modem 56 GlobalACCESS
- TDK CF Modem DF56CFS
- Targus Pocket Modem 56k V.90 (Model #PA560)
Source: Sharp, Anton Petersen
Last updated: 2002.Apr.16
Wireless Modem cards
Some confirmed models:
- Enfora Pocket Spider IIc wireless modem
(available as a package from SharpMobile (http://www.sharpmobile.com/))
Source: SharpMobile
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09
What other kinds of SD cards can I use?
- Currently, none
At the moment, only SD and MMC flash memory cards are supported.
You can check this thread (http://www.zaurususergroup.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=510), where the possiblity of using an SDIO Wifi card is discussed.
Last updated: 2004.Dec.14
Source: Benoit Gariod
Can the Zaurus use SDIO peripheral cards that plug into the SD slot?
- No, SDIO doesn't (yet) work with the Zaurus
The Zaurus cannot use these peripherals, due to problems with the closed-source nature of the SDIO spec. Please use a compact flash peripheral instead, and use the sd slot for storage space.
Source: gerrynjr Last updated: 2003.Oct.31
How do I add files to CF or SD Memory Cards?
- There are a few ways to get files such as music files to CF and SD Memory cards.
1) Use a device that connects to the USB port of your PC: You can purchase a device that connects to the USB port of your PC and accepts the SD or CF card into a slot in the device. Your PC should recognize the CF or SD card as a drive on your computer. You may be required to install drivers for the device once you connect it to the PC before the PC will recognize it as a drive.
2) Use a device that connects to the PC card reader of your PC or Notebook: You can purchase an adapter that plugs into the PC Card slot of most Notebook computers. This adapter will allow you to plug in a CF or SD card. Your PC should recognize the CF or SD card as a drive on your computer. You may be required to install drivers for the device once you connect it to the PC before the PC will recognize it as a drive.
3) Transfer files between the CF and SD cards using File Manager's copy and paste features: Install the File Manager application found in the Downloads section. Once installed, you'll find the File Manager icon on the Applications tab of the Zaurus. Click on the Tree tab and then click on the "+" sign next to the "mnt" entry. Within this directory, you'll see "cf" and "card". These entries correspond to the CF Memory card and SD Memory card respectively. Highlight the memory card you want to copy a file or files from. Then click on the List tab. Highlight the file or files you want to paste to the other memory card and click on the Copy icon or click on the File menu and select Copy. Go back to the Tree tab and highlight the memory card you want to paste to. Then select the List tab and select the Paste icon or select the File menu and then select paste. When copying and pasting large files or a large number of files, you may wait a very long time for the copy and paste processes to complete. It is best to avoid copying a large number of large files at the same time. Try copying and pasting only a few files at a time.
Source: happy123 (copied from myzaurus.com) Last updated: 2003.Oct.31
How do you format a SD/CF card?
- Follow the howto:
Can you create a link from the internal storage location to an sd/cf device, thereby giving you more "internal" space?
- Yes you can!
You can create symbolic links by using the 'ln' command for example:
ln -s /the/target/file/or/directory /the/symbolic/link/file
Source: tumnus Last updated: 2004.Feb.17
Why does my SanDisk card not work on my Zaurus while running ROM version 2.38 (or older?)
- This is a known problem with SanDisk on the older 5500 ROMs.
You can flash your ROM up to the 3.13 ver it should help. This ROM ver has updated drivers for the SanDisk SD cards.
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