Author Topic: Almost New Owner Of Zaurus Sl-5500 (Read 4979 times)

robint · « **on:** February 03, 2005, 01:07:53 pm »

Hi. I got a great deal with the SL5500. I should have it in a week or so. I'm writing because I've been told that the ROM has been updated or upgraded several times. I just want to know where I should go for this information, and what accessories would be best for me to buy.

Also, since I've also heard that Sharp has dropped out of the USA market, I'm curious as to whether or not they are still producing them at all.

Lastly, are there any good deals on later models of the Zaurus?

I'm greatly interested in PDAs, and the various OS's.

Thanks much!

JohnKiniston · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2005, 10:30:05 pm »

First three things you will want with your 5500.

CF Card > 16mb to use for flashing roms
SD Card (I have a nice 512 myself) for application / data storage
CF WIFI card (Its just no fun without internet)

Optional extras include

CF Camera (What can I say, I just bought one and its neat)
External Battery pack (For when you need more than an hour of WIFI)
USB / Serial Cables (So you can sync without the dock and use neat toys like GPS)

I like OpenZaurus on my 5500, It makes it feel quite fast.

robint · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2005, 12:53:03 pm »

Hi John,

I've made a note of the "must haves" and the recommended things as well.

Thanks much!

robint · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2005, 01:24:47 pm »

Hi. I have another question.

Do I need two CF cards? You mention a 16mb card to "flash the ROM" - and then a SD card (likely for storage - music, photos, etc.?). Will the 16mb card be something used rarely, so that the CF WiFi card can pretty much stay put?

CF cards are very inexpensive on ebay. I just want to make sure which ones to buy.

(Sorry - but I'm new to the Zaurus, and want to have the correct (best) accessories) for the most efficiency possible.

Thanks again.

JohnKiniston · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2005, 02:19:04 pm »

I only use my CF storage card for doing rom changes, The 5500 can only flash from CF.

Normally I have my CF WIFI card in my Zaurus so it can be on the net, With occasional use of my CF Camera.

Does that help any?

Teletubbie · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2005, 03:32:37 pm »

Hi,
I have a 256 MB CF, a WLAN CF and a high speed 256 MB SD card from panasonic.
I put the music and movies on the CF card and use it also for flashing too. It is a storage which I can take out while I use the wlan card. On the SD card I have installed my programs. For this reason it is statically in the Zaurus. It needs to be formated ext2 to be able to install programs on it. Well you can install to ram too. But then you have 32 MB ram and the other 32 MB ram for installing. I prefer too use at least 58 MB of ram as ram. So I need the SD card staticaly in the zaurus, since parts of the OS are installed to that device. I also recommend fast and good SD cards, because the zaurus dont likes cheap ones. Panasonic is a good choice.
Take the waiting time for searching the forums here and reading all the great stuff on oesf. A Zaurus is not a simple PDA. Since it runs linux, you can do alot with the device and a lot of software are ported for the zaurus. If you would/could buy comparable software, you would pay thousands of bucks. On the other hand you nead knowledge about linux or be open to learn the basics, thats the price.
Cheers,
Sam

Omicron · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2005, 06:31:07 pm »

Quote

I only use my CF storage card for doing rom changes, The 5500 can only flash from CF.

Normally I have my CF WIFI card in my Zaurus so it can be on the net, With occasional use of my CF Camera.

Does that help any?
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=65876\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

First of all, I would recommend the Cacko ROM, once you are comfortable with your new purchase as it moves all data from the volitile built-in RAM to the non-volitile SD card. Plus it frees up ALOT of run-time memory so you cna run more applications.

The best thing to do is buy a 1GB SD card and a 1 GB CF card....then you will be set for a long long time. If that is too much money then just flip for a 64MB SD to start with (they are very cheap sub-$10) and a 256MB CF card. The CF card at 256 will allow you to hold most full-length (2 hour) movies, anything less than that and you will have to split most movies. The SD card (since it will become a part of the OS when running Cacko ROM, will not be a removable media, hence why you can start small with it now and then just make a huge jump later. The CF will be your primary removable media and you want it to be big enough for a good size number of MP3s or at least one full length movie.

When you finally upgrade the SD to 1GB, you will just have to do a backup, re-flash the ROM and a restore. The 1GB card will not be removable per se, but you can then use it it to store your favorite couple of movies AND a few of your favorite CDs (in MP3 form) and run your OS offf of it....freeing up your CF card for "spur of the moment" movies/MP3's and especially WIFI cards.

NOTE: When I say the SD card is non-removable media, I mean that FIGURATIVELY...since the OS is running off of it (on CACKO ROM) you will crash your Z if you remove it. But you of course can remove it physically anytime....you just shouldn't.

By the way, you will get alot more responses and help if you post in the GENERAL FORUM or the 5x00 specific forum. This forum is for posting deals on Z equipment.

Lastly, Welcome to the community. PM me anytime for help if you find your posts are not being answered and I will do my best.

JohnKiniston · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2005, 02:05:41 pm »

Where is there a Cacko build for the 5500?

According to their FAQ they only do the 7xx and 8xx series?

Omicron · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2005, 06:08:21 pm »

Quote

Where is there a Cacko build for the 5500?

According to their FAQ they only do the 7xx and 8xx series?
[div align=\"right\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Here:
[a href=\"http://www.zaurususergroup.org/UpDownload+index-req-viewsdownload-sid-65.phtml]http://www.zaurususergroup.org/UpDownload+...ad-sid-65.phtml[/url]

And, For even more 5500 ROM choices:

http://www.zaurususergroup.org/UpDownload.phtml

robint · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2005, 07:54:00 pm »

Thank you EVERYONE! My Zaurus should be here Friday. The guy who sold it to me said he put the latest ROM on it, so not to worry about that. Also, I have downloaded the manual for that model, and will read it when time allows, as "flashing the rom" is utterly confusing to me.

Since I just bought three 1gb SD cards for each of my daily PDAs, I have several 256mb SD cards just waiting for a purpose. :-)

I just want to make sure I store data (music, photos, etc.) properly, so that when I get the CF WiFi Card, it can stay in the PDA the majority of the time.

I'll keep reading the boards between now and Friday, and the manual as well. Folks have been good to me - the Zaurus was for $60, and one guy sent me a free Treo 650! (I belong to a writing group, and said I needed more PDAs for the experience.) The free Treo arrived today - I just have to set up the phone aspect of it.

I can't wait for the Zaurus to arrive, as I do love a challenge!

News:

Author Topic: Almost New Owner Of Zaurus Sl-5500 (Read 4979 times)