Compact Flash to IDE Adapter on Via Epia MII 12000

The CF to IDE Adapter, allows the user to use the CF Card as a normal Hard Disk Drive, this adapter functionality is invisible for the computer. The principal features of the adapter are:

* No external power needed when used on VIA’s EPIA series motherboard
* On-board LED indicators for power-on and compact flash access
* Voltage selection for +3.3V / 5V compact flash
* Master / Slave mode selection
* Fully compatible with CF Type I, II & Micro Drive
* 40-2ay ( 2.54mm ) standard IDE connector
* Power input: +5V, floppy disk Drive power connector

I am using a 4 GB Compact Flash Sandisk Extreme IV card with a Syba CF-IDE Adapter

How to boot from a CF-IDE adapter on Via Epia MII 12000:

Firstly, the hardware connection:

• The adapter does not support hot swapping, so, with the computer turned off, connect the adapter to the IDE slot, insert the CF card, and plug the floppy disk drive power connector.
• The jumpers have to be in these positions:

• JP1 - CF power source selection:
• 1-2 From external (SELECTED)
• 2-3 From the 20th pin of 40-way standard IDE connector (*)

• JP2 - CF voltage selection:
• 1-2 +5.0 Volts
• 2-3 +3.3 Volts (SELECTED)

• JP3 - CF mode selection:
• 1-2 Master/Single (SELECTED)
• 2-3 Slave

(*) I don not know exactly why, but external supply is always needed by this adapter, I have tried with two different adapters (same model) and the power source from the 20th pin does not work in this model.

Then, the correct choices of the bios have to be chosen:

• In Standard Cmos Features:
• In "Ide Primary Master" check that the hard disk is detected (with the default options)

• In Advanced Bios Features:
• Set at "Fist Boot Device" the HDD-0
• Check in "Integrated Peripherals" (in the first bios screen) that the onboard IDE channels are enabled

Finishing...
With the jumpers of the CF Adapter selected, the card correctly inserted and the bios features selected, the Hard Disk Drive is detected without problems.

I recommed to use another IDE-CF Adapter, becouse the syba model is very cheap but for me is problematic with the power source selection.