WHAT I DID!

Format SD card as FAT not FAT16/32

Source the nand restore file from Trisoft and copy onto SD

Disconnect all power for 5 secs

Connect AC, then access Diagnostic menu using key combination Fn+d+m

Do a nand restore

Disconnect all power for 5 secs

Format SD card

Copy U-boot files...emergenc.img, u-boot.bin, updater.pro and updater.sh to SD card

Insert battery, connect AC, then hold down OK key and hold down power button and the emergency system should appear
Choose option 4
Choose option where U-boot files are sourced
Choose 'Y'

U-boot installs and shuts down

Have changed ROMS a couple of times and I constantly have problems on the next bit below, when i connect the ac and battery following carefully following the procedure set out below there is no life in the unit. And then after numerous attempts for no reason at all out of the blue it works and the installations continues. I installed "PDAxrom r198" but the battery wasn't charging, then i went to "PDAxrom 1.1.0beta3-akita" and the unit wouldn't turn on unless the AC was connected for at least 15 mins and now I am trying to install "pdaXrom-1.1.0r121-Kathrin-akita-current" and its just not having it. I am about to tear my hair out and really feel like dumping the Z or at least PDAXrom. I have no problems installing the ROM image from Trisoft, so I don't understand whats the problem.

Format SD card
Extract the 3 files - autoboot.sh, kernel.img and rootfs.img - to the root of your CF or SD/MMC card.
# Make sure the Zaurus isn't plugged into AC power.
# Remove battery for at least 5 seconds.
# Replace battery (replace battery cover, lock cover), plug in AC power.
# Press and hold the "OK" button on the keyboard.
# Turn the power on, the Zaurus should boot into the Emergency system .


Gus ...... GIVING UP!

SL-C1000

I guess I am not clear as to what your issue is. Will pdaXrom r198 not boot or what?

Sorry for my lack of understanding, it's early

No, don't worry I didn't make it very clear it this bit below following installation of U-boot, trying to install the ROM

I Format SD card ..... and ...
Extract the 3 files - autoboot.sh, kernel.img and rootfs.img - to the root of the SDcard.
# Make sure the Zaurus isn't plugged into AC power.
# Remove battery for at least 5 seconds.
# Replace battery (replace battery cover, lock cover), plug in AC power.
# Press and hold the "OK" button on the keyboard.
# Turn the power on, the Zaurus should boot into the Emergency system .

....in my case nothing happens afer several attempts of starting from the beginning. Before this I installed "PDAxrom r198" but the battery wasn't charging, then i went to "PDAxrom 1.1.0beta3-akita" and the unit wouldn't turn on unless the AC was connected for at least 15 mins. Totally frustrating as I don't know what i am doing wrong.

Might try my hand at the pdaxii13 rom after giving the above one more try.

Regards
Gus

Okay have decided to install Pdaxii13 and got to the NAND flash install which went as expected. Then powered off, removed the battery, then replaced it. Powered back on (battery and AC) to boot into the original Sharp Rom to make sure everything was working ok but nothing happened. Charge light was on. Pressed the power button several times, nothing happened. Waited for about 10 minutes and pressed the power button and it powered up. What on earth is going on?

Regards
Fergus

The Z boots for a bit before the backlight comes on. By pressing the power button a few times, you likely turned it off during that phase. After pressing it later, it would appear to turn right on, as it was picking up from right before it initiated the backlight.