That useless A590 switch 4!

[gertsy]

1. deactivate LUN support (sw 2 off) - most probably LUNs work anyway, just not for booting from or auto-mounting
2. put your boot drive on ID 0 or 1 and use HDToolbox to mark it as last drive
3. deactivate long spin-up time (sw 3 off) - if your drive doesn't work without it better replace it anyway

This should start booting within 2 or 3 seconds.

I've noticed the delayed startup too. Termination on or off didn't seem to make a diff.  Will try this on my A590. Interested in how you guys secured your PCD unit inside the A590. Mine's loose at the moment will have to get some spacers to lift it up so the molex power plug in the PCD hovers above the plug in the A590 CB.  That's the only way to close the case.

[gertsy]

I screwed some standoffs into the bottom of the card reader so that the rear molex connector would clear the board molex connector. It's just sitting in there loose but the A590 cover front screw mounts hold the reader in place.

I also tried using it without the fan but that board gets very hot and I was getting memory errors. If you notice, the only air intake is thru a row of holes in the lower front of the unit to allow air to cool the board. I used the same low profile fan that mfilos did and no overheating problems now with the cover on. But ya, it's a tight fit. I need to take all back apart anyway to do the power mod 'cause that A590 PSU is a pain in the arse.

I also turned off SW3 but it has no effect on boot time.

Using FAT formatted cards is an interesting read and would be ideal for moving large files (like getting the new IndiECS Core file onto the HDD - doesn't fit on a floppy). I'm on a mission to get SuperPlus working!

Yep mine's exactly the same as yours. "Great minds"..  I'm going to get some A500 floppy type screw-in/threaded standoffs. I've seen them in neoprene but they have a different thread. Still on the look-out for metal. Same as the ones underneath the A590 drive mount plate actually. It fits fine with the pcmcia reader attached in this way. As you say you just need to clear the power connector plug and you can push it back that extra inch(carefully looping your scsi cable of course.) A590 has lots of headroom. As for heat mine runs quite cool. I'm only using a 4GB CFCard in the PCMCI adaptor. Interested in what card is causing heat?
Finally it would be great if you could get SD/XD card extender adaptors. Where one end is a card shaped plug and the other a socket with 2 screws for mounting. Like those USB headers. Then I could mount an SD socket inconspicuously out the back of the A590. Success would be complete. LOL : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SD-card-SD-Card-Extension-Extender-Cable-SDHC-32-gb-Compatible-GPS-TV-/171093916243?pt=AU_Digital_Memory_Card_Readers_Adaptors&hash=item27d5fdfa53
A bit long though. Needs a trim. I've never used the SD reader. will have to try it out. No hot swapping though.