Workpad Z50 PCMCIA/Compact Flash hard drive questions

[larrystotler]

I recently aquired a pristine Wordpad Z50 with the 32MB RAM upgrade.

I have a 2GB Compact Flash card. However, it's slow as molassas. On my T60p I get about 7-8MB/s and on my X21 I get like 1-2MB/s. The Z50 is no speed demon, but I'm working on installing NetBSD so any thing that can improve access times would be a plus.

I've looked into the Callunacard PCMCIA drive, but it seems they top out at 520MB. Microdrives top out larger but how fast are they?

I do have a CMS Periphrials "Automatic Backup System" 6GB PCMCIA drive. When I plug it into the z50 in Windows, it powers up but then shuts down after 2-3 seconds & is not detected. When I plug itto the Z50 running the NetBSD installer, it runs for about 5 seconds but powers down. However, NetBSD does detect it and does detect it's removal.

So, does the Z50 not have enough power availble in the Type3 slot to run the drive? It does the same thing on battery or plugged into the charger.

The drive powers up just fine when plugged into my T60p(though the T60p diesn't like it) & works fine in my 390X.

Also, and suggestions or tips for the Z50 would be welcome.

Thanx

[micrex22]

As you've noticed with the lack of responses, there aren't too many around who own a "WorkPad" Z50. I have a working example but have not gotten around to doing any mods with it.
One fellow did a video about installing it on a Z50 here (but I presume you've watched this already): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6lCj20_Xo4

The Z50 does have internal storage if I recall?

If you're still having problems I can see if I have any documentation (I have the original Z50 box and sealed peripherals from some guy who collected a bunch of Z50 related parapharnelia).