Since you're using Kickstart 3.0, and I'm assuming you've got the card plugged into the 2.5 inch IDE controller port internally, it may be a kickstart problem. I know that Kickstart 3.1 allows a LOT more time for hard drives to spin-up so if you want to try that solution, it might work. I think with Kickstart 3.1 you have to install a patch in the startup-sequence for the boot sequence to work correctly.
