There's no reason a Compact Flash adapter should cause a symptom like that. Could you give us the model of the adapter and card you were trying to use?

A low capacity CF card would indeed be the best solid state solution for that system.

Thanks, I've included several links to stuff I've gotten as well as one with all the info on the system itself, hope that one is ok as it's on an electronics hobby forum.

keenmaster486 wrote on 2026-02-16, 04:25:

There's no reason a Compact Flash adapter should cause a symptom like that. Could you give us the model of the adapter and card you were trying to use?

A low capacity CF card would indeed be the best solid state solution for that system.

i have 2 of them. I put links in directly to Amazon where I got them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WC9B86M
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036DDXUM

The card itself
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009967Y

The SD card adapter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087QBDCBN

Newest attempt, requires 2 items
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083LXPF91
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JHKFDL9

And here's a link to an electronics forum, which has more info on the system as well as showing some repairs I've done to it.
https://savagechats.com/index.php?topic=248.0

Read you post and got worried you never would be able to impress this girl. We all know how much girls love old dusty computers!

Sounds strange that the system won't power on without a working hdd. Should at least give some sign of life. Sure there are no shorts? I mean that metal caddy looks somewhat conductive..

I see no reason why that should cause problems.

Could be one of those situations in which the power supply needs a load on it in order to start, like the IBM AT.

Maybe the PSU needs a load before it asserts PwrGood?

I've haven't used cf to ide yet, but one thing I am immediately noticing is that neither of the adapters you have don't have any power connectors on them, while some of the others I am seeing on Amazon do, this could very well be the problem

There should be nothing stopping the system from powering up without anything connected to the IDE cable. To rule out that the PSU has to have a load on it simply try and turn it on with the ide disconnected but power still hooked up to HDD - should start normally.

^The Zenith Z-Star EX seems to be a notebook,
the flash card adapters seem use 44 pin IDE which has power wires on the data cable itself.

To use them on a PC, a passive 40pin to 44pin adapter is often used.
Which has an extra cable with an FDC or Molex connector for +5v.

They look like this (just as an example):
https://www.amazon.de/44-polig-40-polig-Deskt … =A1OYBPU55BK2AN

Alternatively, some passive adapters without an extra cable might
use the +5v found on key pin of later PATA ports instead (like DOMs would do).

Edit: Sorry for the bad wording.
What I meant to say is that it's 44pin IDE, which is used by 2,5" notebook HDDs.
It's found in embedded sector, too. It has +5v on the data cable, the spacing of the pins is more narrow.

-

The normal 40 pin IDE cable we're used to doesn't normally have +5v on the data cable.
Except if the mainboard is that of a Thin Client or an internet set-up box, maybe. Then the key pin is likely available and carries +5v.

-> The key pin location is, were normally that hole on 40 pin IDE plug often is filled with plastic/were there's a missing pin in the 40 pin socket.

That's the original purpose of the key pin, after all: To prevent reverse insertion of 40 pin IDE cable.
The filled hole+missing pin on connector make sure the port on motherboard and the HDD cable are correctly aligned.

On a 286/386/486 vintage mainboard, however, all pins are installed on 40 pin IDE port.
So the pin is there (because none is missing) but it's not connected or it is grounded.

Sorry for the overly complicated wording. 😅

Edited.

Joakim wrote on 2026-02-16, 16:46:

Read you post and got worried you never would be able to impress this girl. We all know how much girls love old dusty computers!

Sounds strange that the system won't power on without a working hdd. Should at least give some sign of life. Sure there are no shorts? I mean that metal caddy looks somewhat conductive..

Sounds like I outta put down some tape to make sure that isn't the issue. Thanks.

keenmaster486 wrote on 2026-02-16, 16:49:

I see no reason why that should cause problems.

Could be one of those situations in which the power supply needs a load on it in order to start, like the IBM AT.

I wondered if that could be the issue... Lucky it has the typical 2 pin plug, like the PS2 game console used, as well as a jack on the back directly on the power side, so power it up, measure the voltage and put the same into the jack on the back could tell that issue is right or not. Thanks.

bertrammatrix wrote on 2026-02-16, 17:47:

I've haven't used cf to ide yet, but one thing I am immediately noticing is that neither of the adapters you have don't have any power connectors on them, while some of the others I am seeing on Amazon do, this could very well be the problem

There should be nothing stopping the system from powering up without anything connected to the IDE cable. To rule out that the PSU has to have a load on it simply try and turn it on with the ide disconnected but power still hooked up to HDD - should start normally.

Actually my HDD don't either. It gets power from the 44pin IDE connector, but that don't mean they aren't faulty to begin with.. Thanks.

Jo22 wrote on 2026-02-16, 18:04:

^The Zenith Z-Star EX seems to be a notebook. I'll try no drive power on. Thanks. the flash card adapters seem use 44 pin IDE w […]
Show full quote

^The Zenith Z-Star EX seems to be a notebook. I'll try no drive power on. Thanks.
the flash card adapters seem use 44 pin IDE which has power wires on the data cable itself.

To use them on a PC, a passive 40pin to 44pin adapter is often used.
Which has an extra cable with an FDC or Molex connector for +5v.

They look like this (just as an example):
https://www.amazon.de/44-polig-40-polig-Deskt … =A1OYBPU55BK2AN

Alternatively, some passive adapters without an extra cable might
use the +5v found on key pin of later PATA ports instead (like DOMs would do).

Edit: Sorry for the bad wording.
What I meant to say is that it's 44pin IDE, which is used by 2,5" notebook HDDs.
It's found in embedded sector, too. It has +5v on the data cable, the spacing of the pins is more narrow.

-

The normal 40 pin IDE cable we're used to doesn't normally have +5v on the data cable.
Except if the mainboard is that of a Thin Client or an internet set-up box, maybe. Then the key pin is likely available and carries +5v.

-> The key pin location is, were normally that hole on 40 pin IDE plug often is filled with plastic/were there's a missing pin in the 40 pin socket.

That's the original purpose of the key pin, after all: To prevent reverse insertion of 40 pin IDE cable.
The filled hole+missing pin on connector make sure the port on motherboard and the HDD cable are correctly aligned.

On a 286/386/486 vintage mainboard, however, all pins are installed on 40 pin IDE port.
So the pin is there (because none is missing) but it's not connected or it is grounded.

Sorry for the overly complicated wording. 😅

Edited.

They are, but I do have a USB adapter to connect SATA, 44/40pin IDE to my computers, I could get those and connect and try on both the IDE connectors on my adapter and see if that makes any diff or not for function. Thanks. I know the IDE DOM's I have work, I also have a Pentium based system with the same drive I've connected one too, which works fine. A friend suggested that MAYBE the BIOS itself could be the issue. Thanks.

JKnightandKARR wrote on 2026-02-16, 04:12:

Hello, I am Joe, and for little over a year now, I've been working on a 486 50 Mhz Zenith Z-Star EX. I've replaced the original HDD, which wasn't easy to find, but I'd like to go something SSDish, I've tried Compact Flash adapters, SD card adapter, even an IDEDOM, results are always the same, won't power on until the normal HDD is reinstalled, I had some luck, with one of them once, can't remember which one, but it was installing DOS and froze when nearly done. Is there any ideas that could make it work with any of these devices? It's been updated to as current as possible on BIOS, which was NOT easy to locate. Thanks.

Hi, nice machine there che!

I never had any problem with cheapest CF ide addapters, EXEPT one thing, ping 28, normally the chinesse ground it, and this cause a lot of problem in retro machines. In fact, i always need to remove the pin (or isolate, i remove because im lazy) or the CF card are not detected or hang

I made two pictures for you, hope can help

And my recomendation, is CF no more than 512mb! 1GB and more, can cause problems, i never have a single problem with <512mb ones

And can you see my addapter and card are the cheapest in aliexpress!! no problem in any 286,386 and 486 i tested, but after pin28 removed, before full of problems

theelf wrote on 2026-02-17, 09:53:

Hi, nice machine there che! […]
Show full quote

JKnightandKARR wrote on 2026-02-16, 04:12:

Hello, I am Joe, and for little over a year now, I've been working on a 486 50 Mhz Zenith Z-Star EX. I've replaced the original HDD, which wasn't easy to find, but I'd like to go something SSDish, I've tried Compact Flash adapters, SD card adapter, even an IDEDOM, results are always the same, won't power on until the normal HDD is reinstalled, I had some luck, with one of them once, can't remember which one, but it was installing DOS and froze when nearly done. Is there any ideas that could make it work with any of these devices? It's been updated to as current as possible on BIOS, which was NOT easy to locate. Thanks.

Hi, nice machine there che!

I never had any problem with cheapest CF ide addapters, EXEPT one thing, ping 28, normally the chinesse ground it, and this cause a lot of problem in retro machines. In fact, i always need to remove the pin (or isolate, i remove because im lazy) or the CF card are not detected or hang

I made two pictures for you, hope can help

The attachment IMG_20260217_102303.jpg is no longer available

The attachment IMG_20260217_102336.jpg is no longer available

And my recomendation, is CF no more than 512mb! 1GB and more, can cause problems, i never have a single problem with <512mb ones

The attachment IMG_20260217_102313.jpg is no longer available

And can you see my addapter and card are the cheapest in aliexpress!! no problem in any 286,386 and 486 i tested, but after pin28 removed, before full of problems

I will check that, and I can also get a smaller card. Thanks.

FWIW - I once had a system that wouldn't POST at all without a hard drive connected.

Turned out to be relying on a signal from the HD to reset - Manually resetting via the front panel jumper would bring it up every time!

theelf wrote on 2026-02-17, 09:53:

And can you see my addapter and card are the cheapest in aliexpress!! no problem in any 286,386 and 486 i tested, but after pin28 removed, before full of problems

Well, I checked my CF adapters, the one pictured in Savage Chats link DOES have 28 tied to ground, but the smaller one, not shown there, I think its one of the first Amazon links does not, so I'll remove pin 28 and try that again. I will also get some smalled CF cards and try again. Thanks.

DaveDDS wrote on 2026-02-18, 15:36:

FWIW - I once had a system that wouldn't POST at all without a hard drive connected.

Turned out to be relying on a signal from the HD to reset - Manually resetting via the front panel jumper would bring it up every time!

I wouldn't know how I'd try that on this system. What kinda jumper was it??

@theelf Using larger CF cards and just parametrize them in BIOS as 500mb type works well too.

AncapDude wrote on 2026-02-18, 16:25:

@theelf Using larger CF cards and just parametrize them in BIOS as 500mb type works well too.

I'll have to figure out how todo those. 🤣 Been a VERY LONG time, since I've had to mess with those.

JKnightandKARR wrote on 2026-02-18, 16:21:

DaveDDS wrote on 2026-02-18, 15:36:

FWIW - I once had a system that wouldn't POST at all without a hard drive connected.
Turned out to be relying on a signal from the HD to reset - Manually resetting via the front panel jumper would bring it up every time!

I wouldn't know how I'd try that on this system. What kinda jumper was it??

Really depends on the mainboard, It may not even have one...

XTs and some early ATs had a separate two pin header ... later went to a combined "front panel" header which had things like power-LED, HD-LED, turbo-SW, reset-SW etc.
And you have to figure out the exact pinout for that connector (it could change from one system to another) - reason many third-party cases have jumbles of individual pin sockets - so you could re-arrange as needed.

A laptop *might* have a two-pin header (for service use) but less likely on most. If you are technically inclined you can usually "figure out" if power-on RESET is working (I'd scope the CPU reset pin) and also a bit of digging can help figure out where to attacked a reset button.

But the chances of this being a problem are quite minimal - I've only ever seen one system that exhibited it.
I'd still scope CPU reset and see if starts low a power-on and then goes high after a short delay.

DaveDDS wrote on 2026-02-18, 19:40:

Really depends on the mainboard, It may not even have one... […]
Show full quote

JKnightandKARR wrote on 2026-02-18, 16:21:

DaveDDS wrote on 2026-02-18, 15:36:

FWIW - I once had a system that wouldn't POST at all without a hard drive connected.
Turned out to be relying on a signal from the HD to reset - Manually resetting via the front panel jumper would bring it up every time!

I wouldn't know how I'd try that on this system. What kinda jumper was it??

Really depends on the mainboard, It may not even have one...

XTs and some early ATs had a separate two pin header ... later went to a combined "front panel" header which had things like power-LED, HD-LED, turbo-SW, reset-SW etc.
And you have to figure out the exact pinout for that connector (it could change from one system to another) - reason many third-party cases have jumbles of individual pin sockets - so you could re-arrange as needed.

A laptop *might* have a two-pin header (for service use) but less likely on most. If you are technically inclined you can usually "figure out" if power-on RESET is working (I'd scope the CPU reset pin) and also a bit of digging can help figure out where to attacked a reset button.

But the chances of this being a problem are quite minimal - I've only ever seen one system that exhibited it.
I'd still scope CPU reset and see if starts low a power-on and then goes high after a short delay.

Sadly, I've had no luck in previous attempts to disassemble the laptop, while there are some screws, it seams like something else is keeping it togeather... but Idon't know, so I don't wanna break it. On a side note, I've cut that one pin off the adapter and need to replace the drive to see what happens, but I did verify that both my CF adapters work on my Win 11 laptop.

Ok, NOT sure what-so-ever WHAT I did.... but tried using both of the CF adapters with nothing, then tried my m.SATA to 44-pin IDE adapter, nada, BUT left the system on and was on my phone, then flashing caught my eye. It came ON... So then I tried my 44-pin IDE DOM and at first nothing, but after messing with my IDE DOM, its adapter, and ext cable with its male-to-male adapter, it now is seeing the IDE DOM drive and was verified on the BIOS. I booted to DOS using my boot disk, and tried C:\ and YES, drive C WAS there, so did Format C: /s and not sure what it is, but it gets to Grub 1.5 and then nothing.... NO idea what Grub 1.5 is since there shouldn't have been anything there other than what was on the boot disk, but I still have 2 other IDE DOMs so I can play around n see what happens. Not working, but this is A LOT further than anything before!

JKnightandKARR wrote on 2026-02-19, 04:22:

... BUT left the system on ...

Have you left it on this long before? ... there are hardware problems that "get better" (sometimes permanently ... sometimes temporarily) when power has been applied for a more lengthy amount of time.

JKnightandKARR wrote on 2026-02-19, 04:22:

... it gets to Grub 1.5 and then nothing.... NO idea what Grub 1.5 is ...

Perhaps the drive had Linux on it at one point?

IIRC GRUB is a GNU bootloader - I most often saw it with Linux installs.