• 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.
  
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.29
  
  
• SD stands for Secure Digital
  
  ... (no security / compatible with MMC)
  
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.29
  
  
• MMC stands for MultiMedia Card
  
  ... (predecessor to SD)
  
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.29

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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.
  
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.30

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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:
  
  With the Zaurus in its cradle, for CF cards type the following URL into a browser that gives FTP write abilities:
  ftp://:4242/../../mnt/cf
  
  For SD cards use the following URL:
  ftp://: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:
  \\\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 ///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

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• Yes, but they may get warm
  
  People have reported success using CF microdrives (even those as big as 1.0GB) with the Zaurus. Some have been concerned about the amount of heat put out by them, and there's no doubt they'll eat up your battery if you use them a lot.
  (For example, IBM's Microdrives)
  
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01

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• 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
  
  Source: Howard R. Abbey, Huge Eaves, Rick Spickelmier
  
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.06

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• 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

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• 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

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• Digital Camera card
  
  ...
  
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.08
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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)
    
  
  
  Source: SharpMobile
  
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.09

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• Currently, none
  
  At the moment, only SD and MMC flash memory cards are supported.
  
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.08

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• 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

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• 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

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• Follow the howto:
  
  SD and CF FAQ

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• 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

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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.