Zaurus-powered Usb External Storage

[icruise]

I thought I would resurrect this thread to add some information I've just gotten about using iPods as external storage for a Zaurus. It is possible, although there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the iPod needs to be formatted on Windows to be readable by the Zaurus. Also, you have to go into the iPod preferences within iTunes and check the "enable disk use" box. Once you do this, you can connect it to the Zaurus with the USB host cable. I don't know precisely which models are compatible. The ones that predate the dock connector were firewire only, so they won't work for sure. I've tried it out with a 40GB 3rd generation model, and I've read of people using Shuffles and nanos. I'm sure the current full-sized iPods will work as well.

Auto-mounting of the iPod does not appear to work (from what I've read anyway). You need to manually mount it from the terminal. The Japanese website I found used this command:

mount -t vfat -o iocharset=utf8,codepage=932 /dev/sda2 /mnt/usbstorage

But I'm not sure that all of it is necessary. The data storage part of the iPod shows up under /dev/sda2.

Depending on the model of iPod you have, it may charge from the Zaurus when plugged in. That may be good or bad depending on your point of view. If you'll mostly be using it when plugged in, having an iPod that charges would be good, because you could use it for as long as you want without running out of power. But if you will be using it on batteries, having one that doesn't charge might be best, because it wouldn't sap power from your Zaurus battery. My 3rd gen iPod can use USB, but apparently can't charge from it, so it runs off its own internal battery.

I tried playing a divx file directly off of the iPod and it played fine. However, since my iPod doesn't get power while connect to the Zaurus, I have to be careful about running down the battery. I don't know how long it would last, but probably not all that long with constant disk access. I also copied the same divx file from the iPod to the internal microdrive of the Zaurus. I didn't pay too close attention to the time, but I think it took around 15 minutes to copy a file of around 400 mb.

I think getting an iPod would be a better choice than many other kinds of USB disks for the Zaurus, since it runs off of battery and can also be used as an MP3 player.

[bam]

then maybe i can pick up an old ipod that doesnt charge via usb, use it as a powered external hdd  my mini draws power so that would be bad, unless of course you clip the charging wire  (aka, a special cable)

[oneguynick]

I use my mini all the time with my c1000. You do have to watch out for the c1000's desire to charge up the ipod. All the same I love having 6gb of space.

then maybe i can pick up an old ipod that doesnt charge via usb, use it as a powered external hdd  my mini draws power so that would be bad, unless of course you clip the charging wire  (aka, a special cable)
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[jandr]

Hi everyone,
Here's a question that hopefully isn't too-too far off topic for this thread: does anyone know of a USB enclosure for 2.5" HD that will take an older 17mm high drive (8GB IBM Travelstar)?   Everything I've found so far is for newer 9.5mm drives only, with the occassional 14mm one.  It'd be great if the Z's USB could power it but far more important that my drive fit in the enclosure in the first place.

thanks!
jg

[tombraider]

My Archos AV420 with a 20 GB hard drive is recognized by my C1000 - the Zaurus shows the files on the Archos.  I didn't try transferring files or anything though.

I tried the Archos FM Juke.  It attemts to charge itself off the usb (and the Zaurus seems to try to charge it...even when it's running on it's battery).

 It shows up in the usb que and is identified quite handily, but I can't seem to mount it properly.  I think I tried setting it to sda2 as mentioned above, but I will try again tommorow, as will I try Ev1l's auto-mounting package.

 Can't do it tonight though, I just installed the extended power battery i the archos and it needs it's inagural charge...
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[bjornkeizers]

The Archos Gmini 400 multimedia player works with the Zaurus C1000 and Cacko 1.23 I assume the newer 402's work as well as they're basically the same unit.

The Gmini 400 has an internal battery and 20 gigs of storage. I've used it for the past year, and it's pretty good.

The Zaurus immediately recognized and mounted the drive. I was able to play the specially formatted movies just fine in Kino2. Runs at good speed in small size, but full screen is a no-go at the standard processor speed.

I didn't check read/write speeds or anything, but I don't have any complaints so far

[speculatrix]

I found that my 6000 will host an iPod nano, and the nano even indicates that it is taking charge; it was an iPod for windows owners and so I could mount it vfat.

[pwaak]

Here's an update for Mac iPod owners.  I've mounted my Mac style 4G on a SL-C1000 with a cacko 1.23 rom. I made a directory /mnt/ipod and used the command

sudo mount -t hfsplus /dev/sda3 /mnt/ipod

I currently have a /etc/fstab entry:
/dev/sda3  /mnt/ipod  hfsplus  noauto  0 0
so
sudo mount /mnt/ipod
works like a charm. I expect that making shell scripts and giving then icons will make mounting and unmounting a snap. BTW, I'm using /mnt/ipod so this won't conflict with normal usb drive automounting.

[speculatrix]

I was able to smb mount my nephew's ipod nano. Then I discovered after copying a load of mp3s to it that you need the special synchonisation software to make it work :-/

[BarryW]

I was able to smb mount my nephew's ipod nano. Then I discovered after copying a load of mp3s to it that you need the special synchonisation software to make it work :-/
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It required iTunes to populate the database or the iPod doesn't know the mp3s are there.

[BarryW]

then maybe i can pick up an old ipod that doesnt charge via usb, use it as a powered external hdd  my mini draws power so that would be bad, unless of course you clip the charging wire  (aka, a special cable)
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If it doesn't charge from usb how are you going to charge it??

[DaemonsGR]

I have a Ipod Video 30gb (5G) can I do a trick by catting the "power" cables from the usb cable of the ipod(not the white one... Ill buy an extension  ) and use it with my Z?

[pwaak]

I have a Ipod Video 30gb (5G) can I do a trick by catting the "power" cables from the usb cable of the ipod(not the white one... Ill buy an extension  ) and use it with my Z?
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I'm not sure about the safety of this for your iPod or Z. I hear that USB is not kind when it operates outside the standard. I got a battery powered USB hub to handle the iPod's recharging urges. The down side is the hub now claims to be recharging off the Z. This kind of defeats the purpose. Does anyone know how to measure how much power is actually being drawn from a Z?